I just wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I picked up the corvette bug some time about 8-10 years ago. My road to a C1 (’58) was long and arduous. The dream became reality on 9/14/01. I paid for the vehicle ($29k after taxes) about 3 weeks earlier but did not receive it right away because the consignment shop had to do some repairs. I am 28 years old and design embedded computers in Silicon Valley. My priorities on the car are 1) Reliability, 2) Comfort, 3) Drivability, and last [but definitely not least] 4) Fun!!!

Here are some of the things that I am already working on…

*Removed the soft top. Found that the rear bow (the one that rests on the car and has the weather seal) is completely rusted through. It seems that there was wood or cardboard imbedded into it that must have been holding moisture. I need a new one of these. And a new soft top for that matter. The rest of the soft top frame is in good condition.
*The shifter won’t go into reverse need to get my hands on some new bushings.

If anyone could provide any advise on the above items I would greatly appreciate it.

I have Corvette Central’s catalogue, are the prices way out of line in there or is it just me? $500 for the soft top rear bow? Shoot, I could get one custom made for cheaper than that.

I've really enjoyed the forum and all of the knowledge and enthusiasm that are freely shared.

[img]C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\NewDownloads\Camera\V ette\My_58Vette\Soft_Top_Repair_6.jpg[/img]

 

Welcome aboard :cheers: I had Sully's Tops out in California redo my top frame for my '64. He does really nice work and reasonable. He did my top for $500.00, but I didn't need any additional parts. If you're interested I can track down his number for you.

 

Welcome to the Forum :cheers: I like your Priorites :cool: Sorry I don't have any info to help you with your top but it looks like your on your way with GreaseMonkey's advice :yesnod:
Kevin

 

Welcome to the forum.
When you are ready to tackle your top, go to Sully's - I have met the owner and he puts together a fine product. I believe most of the restoration parts houses use his stuff so you may as well just buy from him and contact him if you have problems with setting it up - he will gladly talk you through it.

 

Thanks! Sounds like Sully's Tops is the way to go. I can't seem to find his number on the web. Would you mind posting the phone number? Thanks again.

 

Sullys Tops
1075 Cole Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612
(559) 299-9542

 

Reliability,comfort,drivability and fun .Well one out of four ain't bad depending on the condition of your car, you should get the fun part for sure! Most folks that require the first three usually purchase newer vettes. But I'm glad you joined us "old school" guys and gals ,I'm sure you own a second car..Good..C1's are really big fiberglass babies; you really can't leave them parked alone too long, the tend to wet themselves (internally) in a good rain or a hard car wash, and parts are harder to find and until lately were more expensive than late model parts (because now with 45K new vettes a readily available simple replacement part cost thru the nose) which brings me to that pesky rear bow that commonly rust out (61's and above had aluminum bow) that is a tack strip (to tack your rear curtain to) that you call cardboard..the last time I found a reaar bow was years ago in Colorado for 250 and I was glad to get it, I assume the 500 unit is a repo, usually these retooled pieces are pretty good, I don't think you can get one (that will fit right) for cheaper If you do let me know. Sullys will rebuild your bows completely for about 1600 to 1800 (last time I checked, awhile ago)but the work is flawless (559-2999542), bushings should help out the shifter,adjust per spec. I lived in Morgan Hill for a number of years before moving back to SoCal, I would check in and join the Santa Clara Vette Club, great bunch of people, I was with the Freedom Vette Club of Watsonville which I believe is no longer chartered also check with Corvette Heaven for parts (I think they are still in San Jose on Santa Clara Ave?) Anyway good luck Enjoy, and don't be afraid to spend a little money on these early jewels they won't be making any more soon, and besides you software guys should still be making some sort of serious frog skins up there , heck I was working National Semiconductor up there before the crunch, my software buddies were committing suicide by jumping off their wallets ... just kidding,again good luck and have fun....

 

Thanks for the phone number and address. I will be giving them a call today.

I thought about getting a C5 but there are just too many out there. I wanted something unique. I suppose I left that off of the list. I wouldn't even attempt trying to fix the shifter bushings (if it has them) on a C5. That is one of the things that I am already loving about the '58, its relative simplicity.

 

Just Called Sully's. Here are the prices they quoted me over the phone:

$275 - Rear Bow
$225 - Top
$185 - Weather stripping
$ 95 - Rebuild Kit (mounting hardware)

These prices are hundreds cheaper than Corvette Central!!!

 

aobrien,

Let me add my words of welcome. It's great to have another participant on this forum. Can't help you much with C1s but you'll hear from lots who can.

:yesnod:

 

Welcome aboard!! I wish I knew about this forum when I first got my '60 six years ago.

Looks like your first questions were answered, so not much for me to say this time around.

Hope you enjoy your new purchase as much as many of us,
Curt
:flag

 

welcome aboard...i wouldn't know a C1 if you drove yours over me but they are definitely :cool: and knowing nothing about a car has not prevented me from posting my opinion in the past :D :cheers:


...got a picture?

 

Congratulations! This is my first year with a Corvette, a 61, and I can't tell you the fun I am having with it. I hope you have the same amount of fun.
My 61 is very reliable, and I would drive it anywhere, providing no rain in sight.

 

Welcome!!! Corvetteforum.com is a great place! Lots of good info. Also, if interested, don't forget to check out the Corvetteforum Free Home Pages. Just click on the red "Home Pages" tab on the top of the screen. Have fun. :D :D

 

Here are a fiew pictures. The car needs some work... But that's half the fun? Right?

This one is of me trying to push down the hood and push in the latch at the same time
[img]C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\NewDownloads\Camera\V ette\My_58Vette\Specialty_Sales_My_58_3_ 640x480[/img]


The engine
[img]C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\NewDownloads\Camera\V ette\My_58Vette\Specialty_Sales_My_58_1_ 640x480[/img]


The test drive. I'm the one in the white shirt.
[img]C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\NewDownloads\Camera\V ette\My_58Vette\Specialty_Sales_My_58_5_ 640x480[/img]

 

(Sorry about that my folder options mysteriously changed, and the extension was left off of the file path)

Here are a fiew pictures. The car needs some work... But that's half the fun? Right?

This one is of me trying to push down the hood and push in the latch at the same time
[img]C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\NewDownloads\Camera\V ette\My_58Vette\Specialty_Sales_My_58_3_ 640x480.jpg[/img]


The engine
[img]C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\NewDownloads\Camera\V ette\My_58Vette\Specialty_Sales_My_58_1_ 640x480.jpg[/img]


The test drive. I'm the one in the white shirt.
[img]C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\NewDownloads\Camera\V ette\My_58Vette\Specialty_Sales_My_58_5_ 640x480.jpg[/img]

 

Hi again,

To post your photos, you'll need to upload them to a hosting site and then point to that site between the {img}http://www.HostingSiteExample.com/NameOfPhoto.jpg{/img} codes.

In my case, I use our company website, but there are lots of free posting sites available for photos.




[Modified by 67HEAVEN, 12:46 PM 9/19/2001]

 

aobrien,

Welcome aboard to the BEST Corvette forum/support net around!

You are in good company as I can attest to the fact that having owned one for 20 years doesn't necessarily give you a "leg up" on your knowledge of the car. It's a continuous learning experience...but what a HIGH!!! :chevy :chevy

ENJOY!!

Regards,

Jim

ps. 'Got to fix this Dragstrip picture not displaying...THAT IS A :cool: :cool: MOMENT!!!