First Vette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
First Vette
Hi all-
I just got my first Vette. It's a 76 L48. It hasn't moved or been started in about 8 years, so I've got some serious work to do. The guy I got it from was going to junk it, so I got it for free. I just got it towed to the house last night. The body seems to be in pretty good shape. I can't get the hood open, so I haven't checked out the engine yet. The only odd thing about it is it has a modified back end. Instead of the flat back window, it now has a hatch. It was done very well, you'd think it came that way. Looking forward to the project!
Here's a pic of the back:
http://66.8.180.3/vette/3.jpg
I just got my first Vette. It's a 76 L48. It hasn't moved or been started in about 8 years, so I've got some serious work to do. The guy I got it from was going to junk it, so I got it for free. I just got it towed to the house last night. The body seems to be in pretty good shape. I can't get the hood open, so I haven't checked out the engine yet. The only odd thing about it is it has a modified back end. Instead of the flat back window, it now has a hatch. It was done very well, you'd think it came that way. Looking forward to the project!
Here's a pic of the back:
http://66.8.180.3/vette/3.jpg
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/hoodcable.html Her's a link to help get the hood open. For free ya can't beat it, got some work to do from what I can see. Keep the knock offs for sure or store them, rear window looks ok, would look alot better with a 80-81 type spoiler on the rear 
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
Brother, you got a lot of work ahead of you... but there's definitely been worse looking ones come back from the dead!
http://66.8.180.3/vette/1.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/2.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/3.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/4.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/5.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/6.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/7.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/8.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/9.jpg
Now, get to work!
http://66.8.180.3/vette/1.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/2.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/3.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/4.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/5.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/6.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/7.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/8.jpg
http://66.8.180.3/vette/9.jpg
Now, get to work!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Watch carefully
how you jack up the car. I always open the doors, hood and usually take the tops off beforehand. When you let the car down, do it slowly. And most importantly (I know what I'm talking about) get used to counting to ten. And good luck, Mark
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
i'm really waiting to see what's waiting for me under the hood. The guy i got it from didn't know much about it. He had bought it for his ex wife. After the divorce, he drove it once or twice, then left it sitting till i came along 8 years later. The back was like that when he got it, and he said the guy he got it from told him the engine had been "redone" and had about 5,000 miles on it. I know it has headers, but until I get that hood open, I won't know what else. Oh, and the odometer says a little over 53,000, but who knows for sure....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Goodluck, you got alot of work ahead. Here's somemore info that you may need.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/gotvette.asp
http://www.corvettefaq.com/gotvette.asp
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Originally Posted by edhand
they aren't real knock offs...wire wheel with center caps..even if I could get all the rust off of them, I don't really like them.
Here are some real knock offs:
We took our Jaguar down to the Discount Tire to get new tires for it; the guy who was changing out the tires came in and asked how to get the wheels off.
I had to hand him this:
It's designed to help prevent damage to the knock offs, and to give more leverage in getting them off. I told him it was our anti-theft key to prevent people from stealing the wheels.
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Good luck and have fun!
Freebies are nice 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
From: Edgewater (20 miles south of Daytona) Florida
I think that rear hatch is an old Eckler's piece from their GT kit from what I can tell from the photo. Free's great. Good starting point. It will take cash, but when done, it's yours the way you want it. Good advise about all the fluids, priming etc. Don't forget the drivetrain also, trans, rear. Bet the Ujoints are all rusted up also, or at least pitted where they should be replaced. And of course, four new brake calipers are in the works. Check the radiator core support for heavy rust down low. It helps hold the nose on so it's important to be strong. Oh hell, have fun and take your time. 
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Cool...I have never seen that particular hatch conversion....It actually looks good. Most conversions end up looking like the batmobile. The lines on that one go really smooth. Careful when you open the hood.....might be a BIG ole RATTLESNAKE under there ! 
Lots of potential there....enjoy!
Lots of potential there....enjoy!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Of course, if I ever get the hood open...either I'm not doing it right, (highly probable) or the latches are rusted shut (also highly probable). I don't suppose there's a way to get to it from underneath?
