Forty years of owning my 58
03-29-2016, 06:27 PM
#1
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Forty years of owning my 58
Summer 1976 after cutting off tear drop hood scoop.
Circa 1987. Thats my now 29 year old son in the background.
Body back on the frame. Yes, I used a engine hoist and some crazy 2X6 support rigging.
January 2015 on its way to body work and paint for nine months.
Two months ago in Duncan Oklahoma. Just put the windshield frame together and installed on my baby.
I bought this ex drag strip car in 1976. Tear drop bubble cut into the original hood, wrong steering wheel, wrong seats, tiny soft top back window, raised 3" all around with long shackles and blocks in the front, fender well headers (battery box cut off of frame), battery in trunk, and very few teeth on the flywheel. It was a used race car and yes I was young and dumb. I was told by the owner the original motor was blown up and replaced with a '62 283 that was 60 over. It was a '59 with stock bore.
Jump to present: Frame off with NOS front suspension parts. Motor, trans, rear end, rear suspension, steering box rebuilt. Rechromed bumpers and NOS side and fender top moldings. Other original stainless has been polished. I bought seats and had them redone by Al Knoch. Paint and body by Tod Barker of Attitude Rods by Tod in Marlow Oklahoma. Probably another year before it us done.
I am in debt to Lou Vernarelli for getting me hooked on C1 Corvettes when I was in ninth grade. I realize many of you have done restorations so why is this a big deal? Its not. It is posted to show the "newbies" that it can be done. Mine just happened to take forty years. The car got set aside for years so I could give my family a better life. I only had so much money. Thanks for reading. Mike
Last edited by mi58v; 03-29-2016 at 06:38 PM. Reason: grammer
03-29-2016, 06:45 PM
#3
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Mike, it's absolutely beautiful.
And what a great color. Is that what it was originally?
And what a great color. Is that what it was originally?
03-29-2016, 07:06 PM
#4
Enjoy while you can.
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03-29-2016, 07:17 PM
#5
Team Owner
All Good things take time...
Really like the color...
Really like the color...
03-29-2016, 08:20 PM
#7
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03-29-2016, 08:35 PM
#9
40 years.
Summer 1976 after cutting off tear drop hood scoop.
Circa 1987. Thats my now 29 year old son in the background.
Body back on the frame. Yes, I used a engine hoist and some crazy 2X6 support rigging.
January 2015 on its way to body work and paint for nine months.
Two months ago in Duncan Oklahoma. Just put the windshield frame together and installed on my baby.
I bought this ex drag strip car in 1976. Tear drop bubble cut into the original hood, wrong steering wheel, wrong seats, tiny soft top back window, raised 3" all around with long shackles and blocks in the front, fender well headers (battery box cut off of frame), battery in trunk, and very few teeth on the flywheel. It was a used race car and yes I was young and dumb. I was told by the owner the original motor was blown up and replaced with a '62 283 that was 60 over. It was a '59 with stock bore.
Jump to present: Frame off with NOS front suspension parts. Motor, trans, rear end, rear suspension, steering box rebuilt. Rechromed bumpers and NOS side and fender top moldings. Other original stainless has been polished. I bought seats and had them redone by Al Knoch. Paint and body by Tod Barker of Attitude Rods by Tod in Marlow Oklahoma. Probably another year before it us done.
I am in debt to Lou Vernarelli for getting me hooked on C1 Corvettes when I was in ninth grade. I realize many of you have done restorations so why is this a big deal? Its not. It is posted to show the "newbies" that it can be done. Mine just happened to take forty years. The car got set aside for years so I could give my family a better life. I only had so much money. Thanks for reading. Mike
03-29-2016, 08:41 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
Great story. Beautiful car. Congratulations!
Mike
Mike
03-29-2016, 09:46 PM
#11
Race Director
Fabulous! 
03-30-2016, 12:18 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
Very nice! I will have the opportunity soon, to buy my Fathers 58, that's been stored indoors since 1979 back. Hopefully you can give me some pointers! 
03-30-2016, 12:41 AM
#17
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You are way ahead of me !!!
Bought mine in 1976 as a basket case much like yours.
Mine is a 1960 - Haven't touched it yet but I've assembled all the parts.
Hope your progress is fun.
Richard
Mine is a 1960 - Haven't touched it yet but I've assembled all the parts.
Hope your progress is fun.
Richard
03-30-2016, 07:11 AM
#18
Safety Car
03-30-2016, 08:04 AM
#19
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Beautiful 58 Congratulations on a great restoration. Enjoy it.
Congratulations on a great restoration. Enjoy it.
03-30-2016, 08:07 AM
#20
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The posts on Corvette Forum have helped me numerous times. I feel like I still have a lot to learn, even about my own car. But somehow I am still learning and putting it back together. At times it is a joy while at other times I feel like pulling out my hair (scarce as it is). But overall, it is still fun. If I can be of any help, please feel free to ask. Again, my thanks for all the informative posts.
Our two post lift is one of the best investments (next to the Corvette) that we bought.
FYI: The building that you see in the picture was destroyed in the Moore tornado three years ago. Yes, the Corvette was inside it at the time. Although the building was still standing, it had to be taken down due to massive structural failure and a new one erected. The garage doors were found about a quarter of a mile away. Someone up there must like me because there was NO damage to the car. Ah the stories we all have.