A two wheeled 78 barn car?
06-20-2015, 11:19 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Rescuing a two wheeled 78 barn car...
Looks like I am now officially a C-3 owner 
The owner of this 78 passed on not long ago, and the family had no way to easily sell the two wheeler, since there was nothing to attach the rear wheels to.
A friend of the widow suggested I might be interested in helping out. Well to my complete shock and surprise, she offered to give me the car with the stipulation that I rebuild it and keep it - not resell it. She wanted to ride in it/drive it again. I couldn't pass it up. Although this car was a one owner, it was basically driven hard and put away wet for its entire life - more of a barn animal than a garage queen. I'm honored to eventually carry on that tradition, in spirit, after a mild "driver" type rebuild - well, that's the current plan. It's one of only 4 some thousand L82 4spd cars from 78. Original dark blue paint and oyster interior - well, what's left of them both anyway. After acquiring the needed rear suspension parts from "Too Slow '90" (Roy) on this forum, I got the other two wheels on it while working in the ex-horse barn that had become the workshop of the late Richard Pastrana of Davidsonville Md - known as "Pop-Pop" to his grandchildren, with little notes to him from them found all around his shop. Apparently he had never stopped driving this car, whenever and wherever, until rear bearing problems developed a few years ago. I think he felt the parts were too expensive, left it on blocks in the barn, and went back to restoring tractors. After spending some time there over the last 2 weeks, I finally dragged it home today as a nice Father's Day present for myself 
, but then I had the wife and both kids gunning for it by day's end. I don't think they realize I have no problem having more than one Vette for myself. It came with both body color t-tops and clear ones, and "Gina" is pretty sure the side pipes they ran for bit in the 80's are still in nice shape in a large barn on another family property - so I may end up with those as well. The birdcage seems to have survived, but the winter road salt did its duty on the frame and suspension - still solid, but pretty damn ugly.
The owner of this 78 passed on not long ago, and the family had no way to easily sell the two wheeler, since there was nothing to attach the rear wheels to.
A friend of the widow suggested I might be interested in helping out. Well to my complete shock and surprise, she offered to give me the car with the stipulation that I rebuild it and keep it - not resell it. She wanted to ride in it/drive it again. I couldn't pass it up. Although this car was a one owner, it was basically driven hard and put away wet for its entire life - more of a barn animal than a garage queen. I'm honored to eventually carry on that tradition, in spirit, after a mild "driver" type rebuild - well, that's the current plan. It's one of only 4 some thousand L82 4spd cars from 78. Original dark blue paint and oyster interior - well, what's left of them both anyway. After acquiring the needed rear suspension parts from "Too Slow '90" (Roy) on this forum, I got the other two wheels on it while working in the ex-horse barn that had become the workshop of the late Richard Pastrana of Davidsonville Md - known as "Pop-Pop" to his grandchildren, with little notes to him from them found all around his shop. Apparently he had never stopped driving this car, whenever and wherever, until rear bearing problems developed a few years ago. I think he felt the parts were too expensive, left it on blocks in the barn, and went back to restoring tractors. After spending some time there over the last 2 weeks, I finally dragged it home today as a nice Father's Day present for myself , but then I had the wife and both kids gunning for it by day's end. I don't think they realize I have no problem having more than one Vette for myself. It came with both body color t-tops and clear ones, and "Gina" is pretty sure the side pipes they ran for bit in the 80's are still in nice shape in a large barn on another family property - so I may end up with those as well. The birdcage seems to have survived, but the winter road salt did its duty on the frame and suspension - still solid, but pretty damn ugly.
Last edited by FastEddy; 06-21-2015 at 09:21 AM. Reason: Editing helps :)
06-20-2015, 11:24 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Still missing the proper rear shock mount/camber bar bolt on the left side, so the smaller bolt leaves play in the bushing and allows all that extra neg camber.
Last edited by FastEddy; 06-20-2015 at 11:50 PM.
06-20-2015, 11:34 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Cleaned up better than I thought - but about 1.5 hours and I had to break out the soft scrub, lol. Think there was some tractor primer over spray mixed in with the dust and grime, lol.
Last edited by FastEddy; 06-21-2015 at 12:07 AM.
06-21-2015, 11:19 AM
#15
Race Director
Well you have got your work cut out for you but you do have nice colors and options to work with.
Good luck with this project and keep the pictures coming.
Good luck with this project and keep the pictures coming.
06-21-2015, 12:04 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
06-21-2015, 12:28 PM
#18
Race Director
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If the car in your avatar is the end result of your last project, this one should turn out quite nicely. 
06-21-2015, 01:36 PM
#19
Race Director
06-21-2015, 02:21 PM
#20
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
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St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Look forward to watching the progress