73 "Vette On A Budget"
10-13-2013, 02:17 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
73 "Vette On A Budget"
Decided to start a thread of my '73 non-numbers matching project -
I bought it around Thanksgiving last year for $2500...
I'm on a limited budget & I do what I can with what I have available. I'm not "restoring" it - I just want to drive it & have fun with it. I'll post some of the earlier stuff soon...but, here's the latest:
Got the rear suspension done today....
So here's the parts - and yes, Agent Coulson (Don't touch Lola)
dropped off the S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Corvette shock absorbers this afternoon...
& I spent a little time lettering the plate that no-one will see, just for fun...
Took me about 4-1/2 hours, but here's how it turned out...
Next stop, "The Gas Tank Zone"....
Thanks for looking...MIKE
I bought it around Thanksgiving last year for $2500...
I'm on a limited budget & I do what I can with what I have available. I'm not "restoring" it - I just want to drive it & have fun with it. I'll post some of the earlier stuff soon...but, here's the latest:
Got the rear suspension done today....
So here's the parts - and yes, Agent Coulson (Don't touch Lola)
dropped off the S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Corvette shock absorbers this afternoon... & I spent a little time lettering the plate that no-one will see, just for fun...
Took me about 4-1/2 hours, but here's how it turned out...
Next stop, "The Gas Tank Zone"....
Thanks for looking...MIKE
10-13-2013, 07:32 AM
#4
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
Posts: 33,881
Received 4,153 Likes
on
2,726 Posts
It looks great....makes me want to do some scrubbing/painting while my "new" '68 is on jackstands. (My "budget" went thru 2 "Clevelands" in one week to get it to a daily driver status--I'm still installing the new parts/interior/fluids.
Last edited by doorgunner; 10-13-2013 at 07:38 AM.
10-13-2013, 10:21 AM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
10-13-2013, 10:37 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
10-13-2013, 11:07 PM
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
As promised - here's a few pics of the earlier work I've done - (It's a work in progress)...
(if you double click the pics , I think it will take you to my photobucket page where there's a few more pics...)
The night I brought her home - PO must have painted it with a rattle can & stick...
Engine is out of a 78 C10 truck:
I cleaned up & painted the engine compartment, new fuel pump, $40 Craigslist carb ( I bolted on & it fired right up) & $30 swap meet retro valve covers that I hand lettered:
I removed the rear leaf (which was almost straight / flat), wire brushed, sanded, prep & etched the frame & rear end parts, & primed & painted them:
Next I painted the calipers & half shafts:
Hit a swap meet 2 weeks ago & found some headers for $40, so I sanded & painted them with VHT Ceramic Silver:
Which leads us to yesterday's suspension job completion:
Thanks for looking! MIKE
(if you double click the pics , I think it will take you to my photobucket page where there's a few more pics...)
The night I brought her home - PO must have painted it with a rattle can & stick...
Engine is out of a 78 C10 truck:
I cleaned up & painted the engine compartment, new fuel pump, $40 Craigslist carb ( I bolted on & it fired right up) & $30 swap meet retro valve covers that I hand lettered:
I removed the rear leaf (which was almost straight / flat), wire brushed, sanded, prep & etched the frame & rear end parts, & primed & painted them:
Next I painted the calipers & half shafts:
Hit a swap meet 2 weeks ago & found some headers for $40, so I sanded & painted them with VHT Ceramic Silver:
Which leads us to yesterday's suspension job completion:
Thanks for looking! MIKE
10-14-2013, 11:05 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Good luck doorgunner- Do you have a thread??
10-17-2013, 03:55 PM
#10
Drifting
Wow!! I work fast but I believe you are even fast than I am!!! Hahaha looks great. Love the VC's, I did a 78 last winter, sold it and doing a 73 this winter hahaha
Scott
Scott
10-17-2013, 06:35 PM
#12
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
Posts: 33,881
Received 4,153 Likes
on
2,726 Posts
10-18-2013, 10:05 AM
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
FatCat- This is my first Vette & my all time favorite body style - I've never actually driven one, it's kind of like a fire burning inside to get it to at least go around the block once, before the snow flies!!
4 Speed- They're actually mirrored/smoked T-Tops in excellent condition:
Note : the PO installed a 78/79 Oyster interior..It was nicely done at the time, but now, it's beat up...I would gladly trade it for the correct year interior in the same condition (beat up...)
The valve covers are shorter & older, maybe mid 60's I had to modify them (w/ holesaw) to get the breathers to fit - still have to double check the rocker arm clearance, but I love the script too!!...
Doorgunner - I will definitely check it out!!
Stay tuned Kids!! Gas Tank is going in next week - Just waiting for the parts to get here!! - I'll post pics of that too..
Regards, Mike
Note : the PO installed a 78/79 Oyster interior..It was nicely done at the time, but now, it's beat up...I would gladly trade it for the correct year interior in the same condition (beat up...)
The valve covers are shorter & older, maybe mid 60's I had to modify them (w/ holesaw) to get the breathers to fit - still have to double check the rocker arm clearance, but I love the script too!!...
Doorgunner - I will definitely check it out!!
Stay tuned Kids!! Gas Tank is going in next week - Just waiting for the parts to get here!! - I'll post pics of that too..
Regards, Mike
10-18-2013, 11:58 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
Hey Mike, you might want to try out the '73 seats (which I bet, are really close to the '74 seats I have, all redone), because, from what I hear, those late C3 seats are far more comfy, than the early C3 seats. I should've sat in the 82, that was at the shop the other day!
BTW, nice work! It's coming along really well. You'll be stoked, believe me, when you're driving it around and rowing the gears.
BTW, nice work! It's coming along really well. You'll be stoked, believe me, when you're driving it around and rowing the gears.
10-18-2013, 12:46 PM
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
Hey Mike, you might want to try out the '73 seats (which I bet, are really close to the '74 seats I have, all redone), because, from what I hear, those late C3 seats are far more comfy, than the early C3 seats. I should've sat in the 82, that was at the shop the other day!
BTW, nice work! It's coming along really well. You'll be stoked, believe me, when you're driving it around and rowing the gears.
BTW, nice work! It's coming along really well. You'll be stoked, believe me, when you're driving it around and rowing the gears.
Regards, Mike
10-18-2013, 01:04 PM
#16
Drifting
Glass tops are a nice add! I didn't know you could get glass to fit a 73?
I bought my first Vette last Sept and rebuilt the engine and painted it, I them sold it to get the 73.
I have a rebuild thread on it if you want to follow the bouncing 73 ball....hahaha looks great
The later model seats are more comfy but O really like the looks of the older ones, they just fit the overall appearance better.
Scott
I bought my first Vette last Sept and rebuilt the engine and painted it, I them sold it to get the 73.
I have a rebuild thread on it if you want to follow the bouncing 73 ball....hahaha looks great
The later model seats are more comfy but O really like the looks of the older ones, they just fit the overall appearance better.
Scott
10-20-2013, 10:52 PM
#17
Instructor
Thread Starter
New tank primed & painted - ready for tomorrow's install!!!
Tank Install Parts!!Ok- here's my dilemma:
The retainer & o-ring in the bag (bottom center) came with the new tank - the set on the right came with the new sending unit.. Which set should I use????
Anyone have a preference / or keen insight???? HELP!!
Tank Install Parts!!Ok- here's my dilemma:
The retainer & o-ring in the bag (bottom center) came with the new tank - the set on the right came with the new sending unit.. Which set should I use????
Anyone have a preference / or keen insight???? HELP!!
Last edited by 73 Rat; 10-20-2013 at 10:57 PM. Reason: type fix
10-21-2013, 01:14 AM
#20
Drifting
New tank primed & painted - ready for tomorrow's install!!!
Tank Install Parts!!Ok- here's my dilemma:
The retainer & o-ring in the bag (bottom center) came with the new tank - the set on the right came with the new sending unit.. Which set should I use???? Anyone have a preference / or keen insight???? HELP!!
Tank Install Parts!!Ok- here's my dilemma:
The retainer & o-ring in the bag (bottom center) came with the new tank - the set on the right came with the new sending unit.. Which set should I use????
Anyone have a preference / or keen insight???? HELP!!What did you paint the tank with?
Scott