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Hello C3 General! Buckle up, this is going to be a long one.
Cliff Notes:
I bought three Corvettes which weren't restore able individually and after a long journey, I'm starting to make progress which I thought might be worth documenting.
The History:
I have been a Corvette fan since as long as I can remember and got one as soon as I could when I was 18. Its a 2000 Coupe with an STS Turbo kit on it, and I love it. I've had it for 11 years now, and saying that makes me feel old. Ive been a CF Member for as long as I have owned the car.
I purchased a totaled 2000 Vette back in 2008 with the intention of building the Factory Five Racing GTM Supercar. Well... the US Government had other plans. I am in the military, I graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2008 (hence the handle) and I am currently a Captain in the Marine Corps. (hence the EGA) My first tour was in Japan (2009 - 2012). So before I shipped out I had to completely strip the 2000 and put everything in storage. I parted out parts I knew I wasn't going to use. I think I picked it up for $5,000 and parted out a total of about $2,500. Close enough, let’s go with that. Between a change of tastes and some changes FFR made to the GTM, I changed my mind, and I decided on a chrome bumper resto-mod.
In my research, I decided to go with an aftermarket frame and decided on the SRIII frame, using C5 suspension. This would require finding a car that I didn't have any "heart ache" chopping up. I was looking for a chrome bumper car that was "mostly complete" with no drive-train as I wasn't going to use it. I was living in California from 2012- August 2015. I looked on craigslist all throughout ScCal and had a few hits but nothing that worked out. I finally found a 1969 Small block coupe with some body issues and some title issues, and no drive-train. I was able to pick it up for $2,600. It took several months and tracking down the most recent titled owner but I was able to get the car titled and registered. I didn’t do any big work or spend any money until I knew I was going to be able to get the car in my name.
In July, 2015 I got orders to Virginia, and hauled the ’69 Cross country with me in my trailer. Unfortunately I decided to live in a tiny *** apartment, and now that I am doing the math, between the storage fees and the cost of using the on base facilities I am probably breaking even in the long run. I was looking on craigslist (Dangerous, isn’t it?) for some wheels and tires. The ones that came on the ’69 were junk. And I found a ’74 sans drive-train or a rear axle, however it had a perfect black interior, prefect glass, and is in great shape. I feel bad, the previous owner got screwed over by a shop in the ‘90s and it has sat on jack stands, under a cover since. I was able to get a better deal than I could pass up. The plan is to strip it of all the parts I need that are compatible on the ’69, then bolt the ’69 rear suspension up to it and sell it again as a rolling body.
I am prepping to take the body off in a few weeks. The frame is ordered and I think I’m next in line. The Transmission and differential is on order. The Ball is really starting to roll here so I thought I would fill you all in. The frame is going to get built up over the next year, I have a shop in the area helping me out with that.
My goal is to finish the car by its 50th Birthday. I think its November of ’68 If I remember correctly, but I will double check. Another goal is for the car to look, at first glance to be stock-ish (unless the hood is up) another goal is for the car to be as light as reasonable, and as simple as possible. I will be replacing the vacuum systems with electric. I am using the “measure twice, cut once” method here and have been doing research for years. Hopefully I don’t have to do too many things twice. Last goal is to finish the car under $50k.
I will not be able to finish this without your help, Corvette Forum. I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you. Yes, I know I'm going to start from the beginning with pictures.
I am finally home. I hinted at my whereabouts for the last several months, but didn't come out and say it till now. I spent the last 9 months working with the Iraqi Army to clear western Iraq of ISIS fighters. It was a long time to be away from friends and family, but I am happy to have had an opportunity to fight against the most decidedly evil organization of our generation.
Now that I am home and I have some time off, I hope to make some good progress on the Vette over the next month. I have already made some progress in the last few days since arriving home. I will also be preparing to move, so I am going to focus on getting a full and complete inventory of all my parts, which I am embarrassed to say has eluded me up to this point in the project.
As you can see from the pictures, the car has had more than one paint job. Three as far as I can tell. its original silver, then yellow and then red. It had some big fender flares on it at some point and the stock fenders were chopped off for that work. I have replacement fenders that came with the car. It has some cracked body work up front. Any thoughts on if that will be fixable?
Sir, being a motivation, as little as it can be is an honor.
You have quiet a project ahead of you.
SRIII frame, this gonna be awesome.
I'm a bit surprised you don't go the ls1 way because this is one heck of a weight saving move, unless you go with an aluminum sbc block.
Whatever your way you have yet another follower.
So, what kind of hood do I have? I think its a Baldwin Motion Scoop molded onto a Stock Hood... what do you all think?
Hi Navy08, tuning in to see what type of project you have. Looks like you are going to wear a lot of different hats or professions. Learning different stuff along the way with the forum is what it's all about. Your stinger hood reminds me of my 65 fuelie way back when. What direction are you looking to go . What's the picture of the end result , in your head of course.
Good Luck there's plenty of help here.
ZIO
Oh, thanks for putting me on your list.
Sir, being a motivation, as little as it can be is an honor.
You have quiet a project ahead of you.
SRIII frame, this gonna be awesome.
I'm a bit surprised you don't go the ls1 way because this is one heck of a weight saving move, unless you go with an aluminum sbc block.
Whatever your way you have yet another follower.
Looking forward to your input!
I am not using the LS1, because I am using an LS3 It's a stroked and bored 427 LS3 making 625 Hp.
Hi Navy08, tuning in to see what type of project you have. Looks like you are going to wear a lot of different hats or professions. Learning different stuff along the way with the forum is what it's all about. Your stinger hood reminds me of my 65 fuelie way back when. What direction are you looking to go . What's the picture of the end result , in your head of course.
Good Luck there's plenty of help here.
ZIO
Oh, thanks for putting me on your list.
Looking forward to your input.
My vision changes as the project goes on, but I do know a few things.
lol, I see, no room for half measures.
Have you considered the SRIII option to install the corvette transaxle?
I did, but I decided against it. It requires you to stretch the wheelbase, and that is more than I was interested in.
I was able to send my transmission, torque tube and diff in as a core to RPM. This will be a big help in switching to a front mounted transmission set up.
08-23-2015, 11:49 PM
Bob's 1969 Resto-Mod Build Thread
(hence the EGA) My first tour was in Japan (2009 - 2012). So before I shipped out I had to completely strip the 2000 and put everything in storage. I parted out parts I knew I wasn't going to use. I think I picked it up for $5,000 and parted out a total of about $2,500. Close enough, let’s go with that. Between a change of tastes and some changes FFR made to the GTM, I changed my mind, and I decided on a chrome bumper resto-mod. 
I'm going to start from the beginning with pictures.
It's a stroked and bored 427 LS3 making 625 Hp.
