When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 1980 L-82 vette with 16,000 original miles. Everything is factory original in the car except the front shocks and paint, which I am having done in the coming months $$$$$. I have a friend who has extensive experience in project and total restorations of basket cases. He is advising that after the car comes back from paint that we put a coat of por-15 on the chassis/frame. The chassis/frame has no rot or rust just surface stuff. Also he wants to detail the engine compartment and advised me to puchase all new emblems for the painter . I have the original tires and build sheet, bill of sale, etc. The car has never been molested and was under a cover for 16yrs. My question is with a car like the one I described above is it detrimental to the value/originality of the car to do the work he is advising. I am new to vettes and restoring classics any advice would be appreciated before I make a mistake I would regret.
From: Oakville ON "Real Corvettes have folding tops..."
Originally Posted by nptwoody
I have a 1980 L-82 vette with 16,000 original miles. Everything is factory original in the car except the front shocks and paint, which I am having done in the coming months $$$$$. I have a friend who has extensive experience in project and total restorations of basket cases. He is advising that after the car comes back from paint that we put a coat of por-15 on the chassis/frame. The chassis/frame has no rot or rust just surface stuff. Also he wants to detail the engine compartment and advised me to puchase all new emblems for the painter . I have the original tires and build sheet, bill of sale, etc. The car has never been molested and was under a cover for 16yrs. My question is with a car like the one I described above is it detrimental to the value/originality of the car to do the work he is advising. I am new to vettes and restoring classics any advice would be appreciated before I make a mistake I would regret.
Based on the car you describe I would clean it up and leave it original a while longer.
I dont mean to hijack the thread, but i have one question...
Glass Act - whats that hard line running along your
firewall?
nptwoody - got any pics of the car? detailing the engine compartment is a good thing for the value, as long as you keep the original components. If everything is functional and in good condition, which I would think it is after only 16,000 miles, just clean it all up and put it back.
I dont mean to hijack the thread, but i have one question...
Glass Act - whats that hard line running along your
firewall?
JoeRags, I changed the frontend on the 72 so I needed to route an extra new line for it. I should post the whole frame off I have done and you could follow the changes better, But here's a picture of the new front.
if your frame has no rust don't use POR15. That paint is designed to be used over rust, that what it stickes to as it covers it and protects the frame from addistional rust (POR stand for Paint Over Rust). If you have just a little surface rust, it shouldn't be hard to remove that via a wire brush or such.
If you paint the frame, use something like Eastwood's Chassis Black or any good semi-glass black paint.
Glass Act - That front end is looking awesome.... but I'm still curious as to what those two hard lines are across the firewall... they look like fuel lines.
nptwoody, I agree with the others, there is no need for POR15 on the frame unless there is significant rust... if its surface rust, grind/sand it off, and primer/paint it with regular flat black. It its significant rust, there's going to be alot more work to do.