80TexasC3

Thanks to so many of you... this newbee has really dug into this restoration project. I found the car last March in Vero Beach, FL with 50K miles...brakes all leaking, holes in exhaust and severly faded interrior. Frame had only surface rust and there is no exhaust smoke. There are now new calipers, rotors, pads and a new master cylinder installed. Exhaust has been replaced(true dual via hookers and delta 40s), rims "turned" and new tires mounted. Paint is "OK" but needs a professional buffing.


I've finished the rear insulation with DynoMat then Reflectex on top and a new rear compartment and carpet.




All trim has been cleaned and redyed and the rear top trim is now in (with very clean seat belts thanks to some forum member's advice). Purchased an interrior screw set which nicely finishes off the new-looking panels. Technique for cleaning, degreasing and dying trim has worked GREAT! Here is the parking brake console which was a mess before I started.


Per my last thread, the dash came out (With a CRACK) and a replacement is on order...should arrive next week. Steering column will get repainted, steering wheel redyed with new black spoke paint this next weekend.


While I am waiting for the new dash...I redyed the seats (wow what a difference)!!! right is the faded original.


Have new door panels which will be one of the last things to go on after the new front carpet...So... while I wait for the dash I'm going to replace the spedo cable (was making a grinding noise when hot) and install a complete replacement light bulb set I purchased from Wilcox which should brighten up the nighttime illumination.

My son (6 yrs) and I are having a blast!!!

Thanks again for all of the help you have given!!!

Avette4me

lotta work but well worth it...excellent job..

MPSJM

Very nice. My 15 year old son and I are doing a 69 and having a great deal of fum. Mom has given up on us I think. Many late nights after work in the garage. Who did you get your carpet from that next on our list and is it the 80/20 loop or cut pile. We did the door panels last week.

adam

> me and my 6 year old son are having a blast...

Wow! You're letting him touch the car?

You'll have to show me how to get them interested - my sone is more interested
in playing ...

baja216

Stewart's74

It feels great to do-it-yourself doesnt it.

Ak. Mal

Looks real good! Nice bit of inspiration to get mine going.

80TexasC3

I've been sourcing everything through Wilcox Corvette in IN. They seem to always beat the best pricing I can find... seems that they have been in business a long time and have built up distributor discounts as well as move significant volume every year. Customer service is excellent! Ask for Tom or Norm.

80TexasC3

He really like the "demolition" parts... loved pulling weather stripping, pullingup the old carpet and I let him spray paint hidden things like the seat tracks and "rust encapsulator" on the frame...

His attention span lasts about 15 minutes at a time... but he LOVES to go for a cruise and get icecream with the tops off. We have a "little secret" about Smoking the tires and not telling Mommy each time we go out! He thinks it's very special to be between us.

80TexasC3

YOU BET!!! Takes longer and I make a lot of mistakes... but the forum has never let me down with getting out of a jam.

Packy76

what are you using for the steering wheel redyed with new black spoke paint ?

80TexasC3

Absolutely... sounds like we are heading down the same path... Sorry for having to log off yesterday when you sent the instant message...

I'll take the lock switch pictures over the weekend or next week when I return from a business trip on Wed night.

Pauld

That interior is looking very Keep up the good work.

80TexasC3

Am going to "try" to doeskin dye the leather (Corvette America) and use their interrior Black for the spokes. If it wears off or does not work then I'll budget a refurb steering wheel... Trying to get the same results and save some $$$. This is adding up!

Ak. Mal

No problem. I went to refresh something else and ended up doubling up my im to you.

Thanks again for taking those pictures.

Do you plan on doing anything unique with the interior to make it yours?

I'm toying with the idea of a covered safety switch and a pushbutton starter located under the ashtray lid. My brother works at a screen printing company and is going to make me some new lenses for the center guage panels idiot lights. I'm thinking of replacing the seat belt light with a lense that says "Starter Engaged" when you flip the safety switch and arm the pushbutton.

80TexasC3

Yep...

Have an Alpine CDA-9815 in my desk drawer waiting for the interrior to be complete. Will be joined by a vertical amp in the back, 6x9 Alpines in the rear and components in front.

I really like your comment regarding the Ashtray mod. I am planning to do the same and have been looking at painless panels that I can fab in there. My thought is to set up rockers for Fuel Pump, Electric Fan Override and NOS activation and NOS purge (dreaming on this addition wich may never happen). As in, I'm not sure I want to build Hp via something that is not cubic inches.

Please let me know if you figure out the ashtray mod...and what you do to accomplish it. I "may" take this on while the console is out and at least prep it for the wiring later. (would mount the switch panel).

Ed

Disco_Mike

Looking good. great job. the heat barrier looks professionally done!

Ak. Mal

I hadn't thought of a switch to control the elec. fan. That's a good one. Maybe I'll put a fan in the idiot light lense to remind me that I have forced the elec fan on.

As far as modding it, I've been thinking of making a fiberglass bucket of sorts and adhering it to the panel from the underside with some plastic welding epoxy.

DOZBOB

Looks Nice GREAT JOB...

Bob Turner

Great job on the insulation and carpet behind the seats! I can't wait to do mine.... Keep up the good work!

Bob