My 1973 Corvette Convertible Restoration Thread (Picture Documentary)
08-22-2013, 07:00 PM
#41
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
A few more updates on the car. First we have started the vinyl top restoration, by installing new vinyl on the top, since the original one was getting old and drying out and cracking. Here is a good pic of what I am talking about:
We started by tearing off the old stuff, sanding off all the glue, and removing all the trim and weather stripping. From there I had my neighbor help me with the vinyl install. (Luckily for me, he did this for over 30 years as a profession, so he knows what he is doing. From there we glued down the new stuff. We are not done yet, but I will post pics of when we get it completed!
My wife helped out as well!
Something else that was done today was the new soft top was installed by Sue from Fast N' Loud. Here are the pics of the top all done. She charged a reasonable amount, but she only had a 24 hour turn over time, which surprised the heck out of me!! Sure looks good! I will be posting a video soon!
We started by tearing off the old stuff, sanding off all the glue, and removing all the trim and weather stripping. From there I had my neighbor help me with the vinyl install. (Luckily for me, he did this for over 30 years as a profession, so he knows what he is doing. From there we glued down the new stuff. We are not done yet, but I will post pics of when we get it completed!
My wife helped out as well!
Something else that was done today was the new soft top was installed by Sue from Fast N' Loud. Here are the pics of the top all done. She charged a reasonable amount, but she only had a 24 hour turn over time, which surprised the heck out of me!! Sure looks good! I will be posting a video soon!
08-22-2013, 10:45 PM
#45
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
08-22-2013, 11:27 PM
#46
Drifting
Member Since: Jun 2011
Location: iowa city iowa
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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The car is coming along. Gonna be sweet when you get it done.
That is pretty cool that Sue working on your car. You need to make sure to get a picture of you and her in front of your vette.
That is pretty cool that Sue working on your car. You need to make sure to get a picture of you and her in front of your vette.
Last edited by brent319; 08-22-2013 at 11:30 PM.
08-22-2013, 11:59 PM
#48
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
You should! The only thing better than one 73 vette is two!
08-23-2013, 11:16 AM
#50
Drifting
Member Since: Jun 2011
Location: iowa city iowa
Posts: 1,540
Received 253 Likes
on
139 Posts
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
NICE! I assume none of the a$$ monkeys were at her shop when you were there?
I am sure you won't be reading this for a while since you are probably out driving the hell out of that thing
I am sure you won't be reading this for a while since you are probably out driving the hell out of that thing
08-23-2013, 11:36 AM
#51
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1968-1975.html
No just the one car that will be on fast and loud this season. I will be driving it to work today for sure.
08-23-2013, 11:45 AM
#52
That was FAST.
The box under the top on the work table threw me off a bit. No wonder I was unable to find it.
Thank you!!
Bob
The box under the top on the work table threw me off a bit. No wonder I was unable to find it.
Thank you!!
Bob
Last edited by RNDT38; 08-23-2013 at 11:47 AM. Reason: Update--
08-31-2013, 05:46 PM
#55
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
I will post pictures when I can, but I finally got the new fuel pump and fuel lines put on the car. It went pretty smooth until I realized that bubba had cut he hard FRAME line in order to install the WRONG fuel pump and lines. Needless to say, I am less worried about the car going up in flames now that the correct fuel pump is on, the correct metal hard line from the pump to the carb is now on (Instead of some rubber hose, a melting fuel filter and some hose clamps) and the correct molded fuel lines are installed. Pics to come!
09-15-2013, 01:07 PM
#56
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
Yesterday I manned up and finally took car of the pesky transmission leak my car seemed like it has always had. The first time I did this, I just replaced the seals in the speedometer gear housing, thinking that would cure the problem. It worked for about a week and the pesky leak returned, so I decided I would pony up the money and get a new housing, as the original one can warp and become egg shaped and never seal. Also the threads where the speedo cable attach were all messed up and cross threaded. Since I was going to be losing transmission fluid anyways, I decided to go ahead and change the transmission pan gasket and filter, since that was weeping a little bit of fluid as well.
Also, I got to sawp out most of my trans fluid as a bonus with new, So hopefully I wont be so paraniod about checking the fluid level, now that it does not leak and is filled to the correct level. I will post pics when I can. I also installed another shifter lock cable, so that my gear box wont be able to be moved out of park with out the key. My original one was bent at one end, which prevented the car from going all the way into park.
Also, I got to sawp out most of my trans fluid as a bonus with new, So hopefully I wont be so paraniod about checking the fluid level, now that it does not leak and is filled to the correct level. I will post pics when I can. I also installed another shifter lock cable, so that my gear box wont be able to be moved out of park with out the key. My original one was bent at one end, which prevented the car from going all the way into park.
09-15-2013, 10:21 PM
#59
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter