:o At the risk of annoying my NCRS brethern, I am working on a 67 Pro Street Roadster. Originally it was a 427/435 car but that train has long ago left the station and I am looking to retain the classic looks of the car but upgrade those areas that have already been changed in the past. Any recommendations on the following:

1) Seats-- car currently has JAZ race seats. I could return to stock or
go later model? I believe many GS replicas use 88 seats--
Any experiences with Recaro, Corbeau, Procar ? Which
model?

2) Dash Cluster- Classic Instruments can do a retro-panel with
Autometer guages. I've heard Corvin's Classics is
working on a replacement panel. Haneline might do
a custom-- Anyone have experience with any others?

3) Front Suspension-- I'm looking to install either the power Steeroids
conversion or one from Flaming River. Any
experiences with either one? Is it worth going to
tubular control arms? Who do you recommend?

4) Rear Suspension-Car has a Dana 60 with drum brakes and 4:56 gears
With a 31.5 inch tire RPMs aren't too bad. Not
much I can do here except convert to disc brakes
if it's worth it? May upgrade to QA1 Coilovers---
Any other considerations?

Appreciate any and all recommendations---

Thanks-Dandy Don dhall9251@aol.com

 

Sounds like a cool car !
1- I like the looks of the C-4 seats the best, and I like to put Vette parts in a Vette.
2- Autometer gauges fit nicely in the stock cluster
3-I don't think the tubular A-arms are going to do much performance wise, but they do look cool. What about a C-4 conversion?
4- Dana 60 proably has big drums, but Wilwoods look better. QA1's adjustable's are probably a good upgrade.
Stock Vette's are nice, but I like custom's better ! I made a bunch of changes to mine.
Pops

 

I've done a few of the mods your thinking about.

1. Not yet . Let me know whatyou find out.

2. We replaced the stock dash with a custom aluminum one. Used all autometer gauges and it looks great. Also replaced the clodck in the center console with a matching clock and ooil temp gauge. Looks factory. The dash was sprayed in black crinkle coat to match the passenger side glovebox. Top Flight in SD did the work and I'm real happy. We were breaking tacs left and right with the old gauges.

3. I had the steeroids PS installed and I'm very disappointed with the quality. The rack is starting to peel and it was supposed to be powdercoated. One end has an orange discoloration and the tube gasket is cracking in about 5 places. Its only 3 months old. I'll let everyone know if they step up to the plate to fix it. As always, I'll have to eat installation. We have upper and lower tubular A Arms with QA1 coilovers. The driver side QA1 leaked after 200 miles. We sent it back for reuuild and after 100 miles it started to leak again. They told us to contact the people we bought it from. We did and they sent us a new QA1. I don't have much faith in QA1.

4. We have upgraded the rear to chrome moly halfshafts. They are very oversized and besides looking impressive, the handle anything my 496 puts out.

 

Al Knoch makes them all the time in both C2 & C4 styles. The late C4 seats (1994-1996) are quite comfortable.

 

I have Recaros in my 66 coupe. Much more comfortable than the stock seats, and I think they look good. The fit just fine, but finding a source for the floor brackets can be tough. I have Corbeaus in another car, non-Vette. They're comfortable, but not holding up well.

For the front suspension, have you considered the VBP monoleaf spring conversion?

 

1) Just redid my '64 and went "old school" to retain the classic look.

Seats were redone but the pleat pattern was changed (fewer pleats) for a less busy, cleaner look. Car had been done like this before I got it 23 years ago and I liked and retained it. But I changed the piping to match the new body color (titanium and gunmetal).

Door panels were redone in a smooth finish (all pleating removed). Car had been done like this before and I liked it.

Headliner was redone with a pattern similar to the seats to carry the motif.

Carpet was redone in original-style hook and loop, but with fewer seams for a cleaner look.

The interior shop also cleaned and painted the seat frames, rebonded a fiberglass square to the floor (previously used for trans access), installed insullation under the carpet (I provided), and ran all of me stereo wires under the carpet to an amp under the passenger seat and rear hatch all for the whopping price of $1,845 parts and labor! Try to come close to that with an Al Knoch interior. You'll pay more for the parts.





2. On a '63-'64 gauges is a no brainer. There is nothing like the stock gauges out there for ! '65-'67 can go either way.

3. Stock with some minor mods works fine for me. In the front, graphite-impregnated bushings replace rubber pieces. Cut-down Guldstrand sport suspension grand touring springs replace the stock units. VBP control arms are used and the sway bar was made adjustable. But you are using a solid rear end so handling is probably not really a big concern.

4. The drums with quality parts are probably fine. I run rear drums and front disks with good results.

5. Don't forget the stripe!

 

Thanks for all the comments---I'm really suprised by the problems with the QA1 Coil-Overs and the STEEROIDS system. At the price these guys charge one would expect excellence. So much of this aftermarket stuff frequently turns out to be more hype than function. Nothing seems to fit right!

Anybody have experience with Flaming River's system? They offer a nice C2 "package"--rack and pinion, tilt steering column, and even a leather wrapped steering wheel.

Thanks-Dandy Don

 

I just completed my 64 Resto Mod Coupe that I started last september. I drove it for the first time last week and am taking it on the Hot Rod Power Tour this weekend.
I used a steeroids kit and so far am happy with it. I also used Vette Brake Products front and rear monospring kit plus 4 wheel disc brakes. For shocks I used Be Cool 12 way adjustable billet shocks.
In the interior I used Sport seats out of a 99 Vette, very comfortable and they look good inside as well. For gauges I used Classic Instruments gauges and mounted them from the back of the panel so I had a shop water jet me an aluminum panel to hold the gauges in place, that turned out very nice and this panel is now available for purchase. The motor and trans is a 350 small block dressed up with polished dual carbs, a Billet Specialties serpintine system and more. For a tranny I used a Tremec from Keisler. Wheels and tires are 18x8 and 17x7 Boyd Coddington Crown Jewels w/ Eagle F1 tires. Flow Master supplied 2 1/2 exhaust w/ new Super 44 mufflers, Great sounding system. I will post pictures when I get back from the Power Tour and figure out how to post them. By the way I painted it Torch red and put a black stinger on the big block hood.

 

Thanks for the feedback----I'm anxious to see some photos of your car as well as the interior.Sounds very nice.

Could you clarify that aluminum panel you had water jetted? Is this something you have for sale or the shop that did the work?

Would love to see a photo and get a price-----

Did you make something similar for the glove box door or leave it alone?

Did the later model seats use their stock mounts or did you have to fabricate something?

Thanks-Dandy Don dhall9251@aol.com

 

The panel to hold the gauges is an aluminum piece that can be made by the shop I had mine made from. I've got pictures that I can try to post when I get back. The cost is $175.
I restored my glove box door but left it original looking
The seats are mounted on C-3 tracks and have 1/4" and 1 1/4" spacers to raise up slightly. Rich from richscorvettes on this forum did an article about this in the previos Corvette Fever mag. He has very good detailed instructions on it.