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C3's seem to be a work in progress. It's a love hate relationship, hate to spend the money love driving it. I try to do as much as I can and have time for.
Last edited by hotrodnick; 11-14-2015 at 06:49 PM.
Time: In the almost one year since I was presented with a licensed, running '79 with about 50k on the clock I've spent at least 70 hours turning+cleaning and 60 hours learning+sharing. Will go up on jack stands for the winter where I expect 30+ hours for minor (I hope) fluid leaks, differential lube replacement, parking brake repair, cleaning and replacement of as many rubber suspension components possible without serious disassembly. Another 15 hours to replace a few sections of vinyl and fabric in the seats and door panels if the available replacements prove near perfect matches.
Money: 9K as presented to me to include 2.5K above auction cost. Since then 2.5K in parts and $350 for labor to reset the windshield and replace the A/C accumulator. A/C still not working and I suspect at least 1K. $100-$300 in parts over the winter that may turn to 1k+ ; In sum about 13k to date with 14-15k expected for it to be completely functional, in nearly original state and reliable enough for me to take it on its' first real road trip for a few nights and more than a thousand miles. Yes--I intend to drive it!
I $tarted thirty year$ with hor$e$ and then added working with $everal RX-7$, $o I don't under$tand why people are concerned about the co$t. Thi$ i$ a hobby. If the FedEx driver doe$n't leave a car part$ delivery for me about every 2-3 day$, my neighbor$ will a$$ume I died.
RA
Last edited by ronarndt; 11-18-2015 at 10:41 AM.
Reason: files did not attach
I know exactly what the old broken down **** Star is costing me. A lot of the work I did myself, some I paid to have done, and some was a combination of the two. What's listed below is actual dollars spent out of pocket. Some of you may have seen this before but it's up to date as of this morning when I put the car into storage for the winter.
1970 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Build date May 25, 1970
Date: 9-18-11 Mileage: Cost: $77.90
New door locks W/keys
New gas cap
New wiper blades
Date: 10-13-2011 Mileage: 57,877 Cost: $171.17
Lube, oil and filter
Radiator flush
New radiator cap
Replace anti-freeze
Date: 12-2-2011 Mileage: Cost: $769.00
New parking brake console
New loop carpet
New vinyl seat covers
Date: 12-7-2011 Mileage: 58,552 Cost: $1492.23
(4) New Brake calipers
(4) New Brake lines
New power steering control valve
New power steering ram
New power steering lines
New power steering fluid
New brakes
New brake fluid
New AC Delco starter
Date: 3-14-2012 Mileage: 59,792 Cost: $4793.87
New 350-350hp Motor
New GM camshaft 350-350hp (GM Part #3896962)
New motor mounts
New clutch
New water pump
New clutch fan
New spark plugs
New thermostat
New antifreeze
Replaced all gaskets and fluids
Date: 11-14-2012 Mileage: 64,880 Cost: $29.00
Lube, oil and filter
Date: 11-20-2012 Mileage: 65,171 Cost: $373.97
New BF Goodrich TA Radials - Rear
Date: 4-20-2013 Mileage: 67,309 Cost: $722.47
Repack wheel front wheel bearings
Replace right spindle
Replace front wheel bearings and seals
Date: 5-20-2013 Mileage: 68,600 Cost: $1790.00
New paint
Date: 9-13-2013 Mileage: 69,005 Cost: $29.00
Lube, oil and filter
Date: 9-13-2013 Mileage: 69,010 Cost: $10.00
Fram CA136 Air Cleaner
Date: 9-26-2013 Mileage: 69,150 Cost: $65.70
New horns
New horn contacts (steering column).
Date: 10-25-2013 Mileage: 69,287 Cost: $1134.07
Rebuild steering column
New ignition switch
Replace steering ignition column rack
New steering coupler
New rag joint on steering shaft
Rebuilt front end steering
New steering knuckle
New tie rod ends
Date: 10-27-2013 Mileage: 69,294 Cost: $412.07
Replace all weather striping
Replace driver’s side windshield weatherstrip retainer
Date: 5-27-2014 Mileage: 69,660 Cost: $101.97
Front Tunnel bellhousing Heat Seal
Factory Shifter Rebuild Kit
Date: 8-15-2014 Mileage: 70,099 Cost: $1,639.94
New Aluminum Radiator (Dewitt’s Model: 1139070M )
Antifreeze
Radiator Cap
Service Air Conditioner
Convert Air Conditioner from R-12 to R-134A
Freon R-134A
Receiver Dryer
A/C R-134A Retro Fittings
Date: 8-22-2014 Mileage: 70,128 Cost: $1,390.13
Air Conditioner Compressor Kit
Air Conditioner Expansion Valve Kit
Replace PRV valve with Conversion
Flush AC System
Freon R-134A
A/C System Dye
Replace AC Belt
Replace Fan & Alternator Belt
Replace Power Steering Belt
Date: 11-18-2014 Mileage: 70,298
Placed car in heated storage for the winter.
Date: 3-21-2015 Mileage: 70,298 Cost: $96.48
Removed car from storage.
Replaced drivers side door ajar switch
Replaced both headlight vacuum relays.
Replaced vacuum filter
AMD vacuum check valve
Installed Spectre #4284 PVC Valve Breather
Checked rear end gear ratio (3.36)
Date: 3-28-2015 Mileage: 70,310 Cost: $61.30
Replaced headlight dimmer switch
Replace Air Cleaner/Valve Cover Hose
Replaced wiper door vacuum relay
I've driven mine a little over 90 miles in the few months I've had it. First came the oil and filter changes, then a battery, then new battery cables, I just got done rebuilding the power steering control valve, a real bargain at under $20. Couple hundred in cleaning/polishing supplies, a few more for tools, and the list goes on. If I had more free time, I'm sure I would have spent more. And I do keep track, because I'm too poor to own a Corvette.
I know exactly what the old broken down **** Star is costing me.
Funny.
I looked at your list and said to myself, "He has WAY more than me into his car."
I added up your numbers very roughly and it's nearly $18k.
I've owned my 1970 for about the same amount of time (Jan 2012). I could get my wife to run a QuickBook summary, but my back-of-the-napkin guesstimate is that I've spent about $13k in that amount of time.
And you've touched many components that I have not.
So...the list looks scary, but in the end it's just about right. You're right on par with my experience of what it actually takes to keep one of these vehicles on the road.
Unfortunately.
Last edited by keithinspace; 11-20-2015 at 11:37 AM.
Thanks for the front page. That is really cool. Thank you for the story. A little correction for the end of the story. It was $50 a week for $200 a month, and you're right, I will probably up it some when I have more cash. But its okay, really. We are all here because we love our vettes and the people in this forum. I give thanks for all the members here and the memories that I will have with my family and this vette.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; 11-24-2015 at 08:08 PM.
I recently shelled out 7 grand for all the parts to assemble a new gen 1 sbc...not a single GM part in the build. Well one if you count the OEM coolant sender. The last engine was getting tired after 23 years. If I did everything right it should last me the rest of my life. Nobody can say I'm not doing my part to stimulate the economy.
What's the opposite of prom queen? Cause my car rides like a stonepile, reeks of gear lube and Sunoco 260 unleaded and the lacquer paint attracts brake dust like nobody's business. I'd be embarrassed to denote it of the female persuasion.
I used to keep track of all the things I bought and did on my '72. It was kind of fun to do for awhile, anyway. I initially spent $4,250 for the car in 1974 and then another $250 for the hardtop. Since then, it's been all the typical maintenance items that you'd have to replace on any car that you own. I've done batteries, tires, brakes, calipers, exhaust, bulbs, oil changes and filters, etc., etc. and the list goes on. It's just all part of owning a car, no matter what make or model. Maybe after 41 years I have a total of under $10,000 in the car and just turned 60,000 miles this past summer. She still looks darn good for her age and doesn't suffer from rusty mount syndrome, birdcage crumble, and all the other problems I read about on the forum. I guess I'm pretty lucky she's still a hot, little looker.
Duane
11-14-2015, 06:48 PM
