encouragement
#1
encouragement
Howdy folks, I bought a 1981 Corvette two months ago. It was rode hard and put away wet....a lot. It ran..sort of. Price was under 2k so.. it got a new suspension, brakes (all), rebuilt carb, pulled engine and trans. Engine 1969 350 4 bolt truck engine that has some bottom end issues. Trans got a shift kit and new fluid and filter. Emergency brakes replaced. New (used) gauges, speedo cable, headlight vaccum gremlins defeated. Windshield wiper motor, switch is still problematic.
I started with the body and paint today. Man... it hasn't been washed in about 6 years. Washed and started wet sanding, needs it bad. It'll take a while but won't be too bad after it's done. Someone put a fairly decent two tone paint job on it sometime. Pearl white /dark garnet.
The interior is another story, previous owner decided to change the color to black from dark red leather ???????? What were you thinking. Now doing it with the proper panels OK...but rattle can vinyl paint/die ??? Sorry to drone on but I'm a little discouraged, this was someones baby at one time. At 18,000 1981 dollars it had to have been pampered. But long time neglected now. I need some vette folks to tell me it'll be allright, keep on keepin on, stay the course etc. No one can appriciate someone's pain as the one who've gone before. Thanks. Chuck
I started with the body and paint today. Man... it hasn't been washed in about 6 years. Washed and started wet sanding, needs it bad. It'll take a while but won't be too bad after it's done. Someone put a fairly decent two tone paint job on it sometime. Pearl white /dark garnet.
The interior is another story, previous owner decided to change the color to black from dark red leather ???????? What were you thinking. Now doing it with the proper panels OK...but rattle can vinyl paint/die ??? Sorry to drone on but I'm a little discouraged, this was someones baby at one time. At 18,000 1981 dollars it had to have been pampered. But long time neglected now. I need some vette folks to tell me it'll be allright, keep on keepin on, stay the course etc. No one can appriciate someone's pain as the one who've gone before. Thanks. Chuck
#2
Melting Slicks
I'm 4 years into a 1977 build and have yet to hear it run, never mind drive it so not much sympathy here....suck it up and have some fun with it; you'll probably finish it before I get to take mine down the driveway for the first time.
#3
Burning Brakes
Then:
Sort of "now" [its pretty much complete now, but I dont have pics]
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Westminster Maryland
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Hi mch,
Some days you need to just close the garage door and walk away.
On my car when it seemed like there were nothing but problems I'd try to find some little job that I could do that day and actually FINISH SOMETHING... even if it was just stripping and painting a couple of brackets.
There is a certain pleasure that comes from restoring a car. You'll feel it I'm sure!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Some days you need to just close the garage door and walk away.
On my car when it seemed like there were nothing but problems I'd try to find some little job that I could do that day and actually FINISH SOMETHING... even if it was just stripping and painting a couple of brackets.
There is a certain pleasure that comes from restoring a car. You'll feel it I'm sure!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
#6
Racer
Member Since: Jan 2013
Location: Mountains of Maine
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I'm with Alan71, pick a small project, ignore everything else, and just focus on one thing until its complete. Don't focus on the whole car. How do you eat an elephant? One little bite at a time.....
#7
Drifting
^ Yup with the above two. I'm in the midst of a frame off rest-mod and have to "skip" some projects and do another just to feel like I got something done. Eventually a few "little ones" lead you back to the big one and your another step closer.
#9
Welcome!
Take your time and enjoy every minute...even if frustrating at times you'll remember these moments and feel proud.
..take lots of pics of "before n after" and when ever you feel discouraged look at the pics and feel better .. I know I did.
Besides... the guys on this forum are awesome...anything you need or want to know just ask
Congrats.
ps: here's mine before...:
..and after: :
..take lots of pics of "before n after" and when ever you feel discouraged look at the pics and feel better .. I know I did.
Besides... the guys on this forum are awesome...anything you need or want to know just ask
Congrats.
ps: here's mine before...:
..and after: :
Last edited by Cattiva73; 05-04-2013 at 11:46 AM.
#10
Race Director
I paid $12,000 for mine on E Bay and when I got it it needed everything. It was a nice driver but not what I expected for 12 grand. I am in the process of painting mine also. I have sunk a ton of cash into this car and will put some more into it. Not only do I share your frustration but I am also pizzed that I paid this much.
Frustration is part of the game. You will get it done and be driving it before you know it.
Enjoy the project and the car. The 80 to 82 are my favorite years.
Frustration is part of the game. You will get it done and be driving it before you know it.
Enjoy the project and the car. The 80 to 82 are my favorite years.
#12
thanks guys
Thanks guys, I knew you'd have good advice and wishes. Lots of negativity around me. Just needed a boost.
Wet sanded today, beautiful day in the northeast. Feeling much better. Still a long way to go but, better motivation. Thanks again,
Chuck
Wet sanded today, beautiful day in the northeast. Feeling much better. Still a long way to go but, better motivation. Thanks again,
Chuck
#13
Burning Brakes
Don't give up, I among others here have had a lot less to work with.
As others have said, sometimes you just have to walk away for a break
and give yourself a rest. Look what I started with and I have a lot further
to go.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ant-to-do.html
As others have said, sometimes you just have to walk away for a break
and give yourself a rest. Look what I started with and I have a lot further
to go.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ant-to-do.html
#14
Burning Brakes
I like to keep it drivable as much as possible. A few drives in it between projects really keeps motivation up. Helps that I can't afford to do frame off type resto. I can only afford one vette so i would rather drive a 10 footer than spend years with a garage queen. I need two vettes don't I....
#16
Instructor
Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: sahuarita az
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read this, maybe so tea and sympathy
http://www.stovebolt.com/features/sagas/sanderson/
I finally finsihed it, it was trully wonderful and sold it at a profit after much fun. DO NOT stop, sell yourself short or quit. Take breaks, remember you're just one guy slogging away not a whole crew, keep posting pics and you'll keep us interested too. AGREE WITH ARKYVETTE drive if at all possible.
I finally finsihed it, it was trully wonderful and sold it at a profit after much fun. DO NOT stop, sell yourself short or quit. Take breaks, remember you're just one guy slogging away not a whole crew, keep posting pics and you'll keep us interested too. AGREE WITH ARKYVETTE drive if at all possible.
Last edited by vettestu; 05-05-2013 at 01:57 AM.
#17
Burning Brakes
#18
Thanks fellas, spent the weekend, wet sanded, compounded, polished and waxed. I think I gained about 12 feet. Went from a twenty footer to an eight footer. I've got the wheels and t tops to polish and then we tackle the interior.
#19
Burning Brakes
Check out Fat Cat in the performance section. Started with an engine build and is into stripping and sanding the same car.Then adding paint and clear. Oh yeah, he has never done any of this before. try to learn from others as he did . Great people have helped him along the way but he had enough intelligence to get it and everything is going to look beautiful. Seemed to always approach it with a smile and seemed to enjoy the trip'