Brand new Stingray owner 69
02-23-2017, 01:43 AM
#41
Pro
Don't beat yourself up too much, it is a gorgeous car. You just have to work through the issues that most of us have experienced . These old cars need things. Don't be too quick to take it to a shop and start throwing money at it. Step back and determine what's wrong. Sounds like you already have some forum members close by to help.
02-23-2017, 07:28 AM
#42
Burning Brakes
mike, you can come down any weekend and I will be glad to look at the issues you have, we all have issues one time or another with our cars, you just hope they are small ones
02-23-2017, 08:03 AM
#43
Team Owner
Got the darn horn fixed the other day though thanks to info on this forum (Doubt it had a working horn for 15-20 years given the Bubba job I saw under there with zip ties and whatnot). 
Paint... well if it needs to have a respray, that isn't a cheap fix. I spent somewhere around $6400 on it about 10-12 years ago. It's complicated because they need to redo the fiberglass bonding strips, etc..[/QUOTE]
I do know about the paint, (time and cost?
Paint... well if it needs to have a respray, that isn't a cheap fix. I spent somewhere around $6400 on it about 10-12 years ago. It's complicated because they need to redo the fiberglass bonding strips, etc..[/QUOTE]
I do know about the paint, (time and cost?
02-23-2017, 08:16 AM
#44
Safety Car
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Madeira Beach, FL
Posts: 3,563
Received 797 Likes
on
447 Posts
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mike,
Welcome to the Forum
I won't beat you up as you have enough on your plate.
Some of the best minds on our forum have already given you very good advise in this thread.
Its now water over the dam but when you prepare to purchase any old car you need to equip yourself. It is helpful to be very familiar with the quirks of a particular model. I always like to know more about the car then the seller if possible. It is with a little research.
Now with that being said, I want you to use this approach when you attack the repairs. No sense throwing more good money into problems and getting sub par repairs.
Another forum member I see is close and offered help and up advise.
See who he uses locally and is happy with.
Most of the "Corvette" shops return the car running worse than when you took it to them. that is the feed back I see all the time. Some are very knowledgeable like DUB.... You got to find the DUB's out there.
I do all my own mechanical work. It is an absolute must. The car runs great. Todays parts jockeys just don't know our era.
Pick the most critical items first for repair.
Make the car safe and then enjoy.
I'd find out why the car wanders????
Is it old tires with a belt shift. Well that was easy.
Have a reputable alignment shop locally and familiar with IR suspensions have a looksee underneath. Foreign car shops that do Jaguars/older Triumphs surprisingly know our suspensions. Look for the guy who's 50-60 years old working the alignment rack.
It could be a steering component has worn or broke.
Safety 1st again.
Next it would be nice to have wipers in case you get caught in the rain coming home with that 1st place trophy from a local cruise night.
It happens, I've been there wipers are a nice option to have when its raining rather than sticking your head out the drivers side window.
Lastly.....restored is a very subjective term and leaves a wide open interpretation. Restored is Alan71's car... period.
Anything shy of that is a rehab.
A dealer always knows less than the buyer he just took it in and cosigned it that's all. He will tell you its restored because that is what the seller passed on. He has not fact checked the info. That was your job in a pre purchase inspection. I went back and looked at mine 3 x
before I purchased it. I put it up on a lift and went over it the best one can as a buyer. Seller was as honest as a seller could be. But bottom line is it was my responsibility to do my home work.
Lets start at the tires and work to the head liner and see if we can get you on the road and into an enjoyable ride.
With some patience and perseverance you will be able to get this car to a level you can enjoy safely.
You started with a great year already!!!
Marshal
Welcome to the Forum
I won't beat you up as you have enough on your plate.
Some of the best minds on our forum have already given you very good advise in this thread.
Its now water over the dam but when you prepare to purchase any old car you need to equip yourself. It is helpful to be very familiar with the quirks of a particular model. I always like to know more about the car then the seller if possible. It is with a little research.
Now with that being said, I want you to use this approach when you attack the repairs. No sense throwing more good money into problems and getting sub par repairs.
Another forum member I see is close and offered help and up advise.
See who he uses locally and is happy with.
Most of the "Corvette" shops return the car running worse than when you took it to them. that is the feed back I see all the time. Some are very knowledgeable like DUB.... You got to find the DUB's out there.
I do all my own mechanical work. It is an absolute must. The car runs great. Todays parts jockeys just don't know our era.
Pick the most critical items first for repair.
Make the car safe and then enjoy.
I'd find out why the car wanders????
Is it old tires with a belt shift. Well that was easy.
Have a reputable alignment shop locally and familiar with IR suspensions have a looksee underneath. Foreign car shops that do Jaguars/older Triumphs surprisingly know our suspensions. Look for the guy who's 50-60 years old working the alignment rack.
It could be a steering component has worn or broke.
Safety 1st again.
Next it would be nice to have wipers in case you get caught in the rain coming home with that 1st place trophy from a local cruise night.
It happens, I've been there wipers are a nice option to have when its raining rather than sticking your head out the drivers side window.
Lastly.....restored is a very subjective term and leaves a wide open interpretation. Restored is Alan71's car... period.
Anything shy of that is a rehab.
A dealer always knows less than the buyer he just took it in and cosigned it that's all. He will tell you its restored because that is what the seller passed on. He has not fact checked the info. That was your job in a pre purchase inspection. I went back and looked at mine 3 x
before I purchased it. I put it up on a lift and went over it the best one can as a buyer. Seller was as honest as a seller could be. But bottom line is it was my responsibility to do my home work.
Lets start at the tires and work to the head liner and see if we can get you on the road and into an enjoyable ride.
With some patience and perseverance you will be able to get this car to a level you can enjoy safely.
You started with a great year already!!!
Marshal
02-23-2017, 08:47 AM
#45
Drifting
Hi Mike, welcome to the forum. Don't get discouraged, you only started this thread yesterday. You can do as little or as much as you want. No matter what, you will stay addicted and love it. I have had my same Corvette for 37 years, and yes replaced a lot of parts, including 3 engines. It just goes with owning and old Vette.
02-23-2017, 09:12 AM
#46
Burning Brakes
Hi Mike,
Welcome!
You really have a great looking 69 Roadster there!
Just as all the other members have stated, we've all been through what your feeling in one form of another when dealing with these beautiful OLD classic cars. I know you feel like you may have been ripped off, and we still don't know for sure if you have or not until you get it checked out by a Vette specialist or a very trustworthy mechanic. We are all pulling for you that you weren't!
Just looking at the pictures posted so far of your car you are very lucky that the previous owner really took great pains to keep everything as original as possible at least in the engine bay, and what we see of the interior. You already have all the very expensive items if you needed to replace them. Such as: all the ignition shielding, air cleaner, valve covers, alt. Distributor/coil, fuel line / filter and fuel return, fender louver inserts$$$: Just to name a few. You have more than many of us had to start with when we got our dream cars. As far as paint, unless the cracks are major, much of what you see could just be signs of original Lacquer paint and that 'patina' just adds to the provenance of your classic car. JMO! on paint.
As mentioned above, those great original looking repro biased tires will definitely affect the way the car feels. Hopefully, once you get the car to your mechanic and get it up on a lift you'll have a better idea of the front suspension needs. (Please take plenty of pictures of your suspension and post them here for these guys to take a look at. They will know right away what your issues may be!). Proceed with caution as you move forward with repairs as others told you too! You haven't mentioned any frame/rust issues hopefully they won't be present once you get it up on a lift to add to your stress! Think positive!
You are not alone in this milestone endeavor! Try to calm yourself and enjoy that car. You have one of the most sought after early C3' s in your garage... A RED 69 4 SPEED ROADSTER!
Keep the faith and don't be discouraged!
I want to wish you many miles of smiles with your car!
Tooch
Welcome!
You really have a great looking 69 Roadster there!
Just as all the other members have stated, we've all been through what your feeling in one form of another when dealing with these beautiful OLD classic cars. I know you feel like you may have been ripped off, and we still don't know for sure if you have or not until you get it checked out by a Vette specialist or a very trustworthy mechanic. We are all pulling for you that you weren't! Just looking at the pictures posted so far of your car you are very lucky that the previous owner really took great pains to keep everything as original as possible at least in the engine bay, and what we see of the interior. You already have all the very expensive items if you needed to replace them. Such as: all the ignition shielding, air cleaner, valve covers, alt. Distributor/coil, fuel line / filter and fuel return, fender louver inserts$$$: Just to name a few. You have more than many of us had to start with when we got our dream cars. As far as paint, unless the cracks are major, much of what you see could just be signs of original Lacquer paint and that 'patina' just adds to the provenance of your classic car. JMO! on paint.
As mentioned above, those great original looking repro biased tires will definitely affect the way the car feels. Hopefully, once you get the car to your mechanic and get it up on a lift you'll have a better idea of the front suspension needs. (Please take plenty of pictures of your suspension and post them here for these guys to take a look at. They will know right away what your issues may be!). Proceed with caution as you move forward with repairs as others told you too! You haven't mentioned any frame/rust issues hopefully they won't be present once you get it up on a lift to add to your stress! Think positive!
You are not alone in this milestone endeavor! Try to calm yourself and enjoy that car. You have one of the most sought after early C3' s in your garage... A RED 69 4 SPEED ROADSTER!
Keep the faith and don't be discouraged!
I want to wish you many miles of smiles with your car!
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; 02-23-2017 at 09:48 AM.
02-23-2017, 06:27 PM
#47
Instructor
Beautiful car. Stunning. Just look forward and enjoy it (i.e., don't look back). Lots of help here on CF. If you're not handy, try to be. If you can't learn to do mechanical work, learn to buy beer. (Or Scotch.) . . . and cigars.