The new guy needs help!
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
The new guy needs help!
Which book should I buy that gives me the best information on restoring a 68' Corvette to stock?
Some history info about the C3:
It has been in storage for over 22+ years.
Its a 1968 Converitible C3 with the 427.
Exterior is Yellow and interior is black.
I am vague in other areas. I just recently moved it from my grandparents garage into another storage unit and it will be a couple years until I can start working on it. The car itself was bought by my dad in 1973 and because of health complications, my dad could never get the vette out of storage. I will be thankful for any insight on how to piece this beast back to stock condition.
-Jay
Some history info about the C3:
It has been in storage for over 22+ years.
Its a 1968 Converitible C3 with the 427.
Exterior is Yellow and interior is black.
I am vague in other areas. I just recently moved it from my grandparents garage into another storage unit and it will be a couple years until I can start working on it. The car itself was bought by my dad in 1973 and because of health complications, my dad could never get the vette out of storage. I will be thankful for any insight on how to piece this beast back to stock condition.
-Jay
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Well, I haven't done a full restoration on my 68, but I think this book is a good starting point. You read through it and you get an idea of what is involved and how to deal with each individual step. I wouldn't rely on this book entirely, but a good start and a good overview. I would also get the NCRS tech specs and judging guide (see the NCRS website), if you want to restore it as close as possible to original condition.
Which 427 do you have??
Which 427 do you have??
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Originally Posted by Jabnky
I am vague in that area, should have taken a look, but i will probably pull the information from the VIN #. Thanks for the information!
vin won't give you very much info. You will have to look/see/describe or take some pics.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The NCRS site.
http://www.ncrs.org/
Quote from their site.
"1953-89 NCRS Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide
One of the most popular questions asked of us is "What book do I need to restore my Corvette"? Here they are. These are the single most helpful reference books available anywhere, period. Each one of the Technical Manuals is the result of thousands of hours of research by the most knowledgeable hobbyists in the country. They are the culmination of everything currently known about each model. Each one details PART-BY-PART how Corvettes appeared at the time of final assembly. Included are: finishes, part numbers, casting numbers, detailed descriptions, survey results, how to interpret date codes, and much much more. All are 81/2" x 11", and coil bound. They are a "Must Have". Already have a Manual? Check the cover to ensure that you've got the latest and best information. As new editions are published, we change the color of the cover."
Good Luck!!
http://www.ncrs.org/
Quote from their site.
"1953-89 NCRS Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide
One of the most popular questions asked of us is "What book do I need to restore my Corvette"? Here they are. These are the single most helpful reference books available anywhere, period. Each one of the Technical Manuals is the result of thousands of hours of research by the most knowledgeable hobbyists in the country. They are the culmination of everything currently known about each model. Each one details PART-BY-PART how Corvettes appeared at the time of final assembly. Included are: finishes, part numbers, casting numbers, detailed descriptions, survey results, how to interpret date codes, and much much more. All are 81/2" x 11", and coil bound. They are a "Must Have". Already have a Manual? Check the cover to ensure that you've got the latest and best information. As new editions are published, we change the color of the cover."
Good Luck!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Sounds like you have started working on the car to me. Having the information you need is the first step, read and read some more. Don't be shy about posting questions or asking for suggestions, there are a lot of members here that have done what you are doing. Good luck and congradulations.
ltlevil
ltlevil
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
If you are not going to be working on the car for a few years I would go light on the books. These books are constantly being updated and NCRS judging guides change all the time. No sense getting anything other than basic information until you are ready to get into the project or want to walk away from it.
These projects take a lot of time and money. If you don't have enough of both it could take many years to complete. That is when many people decide to walk away.
These projects take a lot of time and money. If you don't have enough of both it could take many years to complete. That is when many people decide to walk away.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
Call GM customerr service and ask for a "Restoration Package". Have your VIN number ready. They will send you a pile of papers with original part numbers for your year. There is lots of other good info also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
I have just finished restoration of my 68 coupe and the book that PRNDL shows is one of many I found useful.
The most important book is the Assembly Manual that was used on the GM line. I also used the GM Service Manual but the Assembly Manual (often referred to as the AIM) and the NCRS Judging & Technical Guide (if you are going back to original) were my two most frequently used Bibles. Project took 10 years but I was not in a hurry. Came out great and I'm happy. Guess that's all that counts.
The most important book is the Assembly Manual that was used on the GM line. I also used the GM Service Manual but the Assembly Manual (often referred to as the AIM) and the NCRS Judging & Technical Guide (if you are going back to original) were my two most frequently used Bibles. Project took 10 years but I was not in a hurry. Came out great and I'm happy. Guess that's all that counts.