start restoration...or drive it?
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 75
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From: Ridge NY
start restoration...or drive it?
Hello All. Im new to this forum and am hoping for some good advice.
Just bought a '76, driveable but needs work. My intention is to restore the car to a good driver, not show quality, but restore the mechanicals to like new condition, and paint her. My dilemma is should I put in a few weeks/ few hundred dollars to get her in driveable condition and use her for the summer, or go for the major work right away... I intend to pull the engine, and redo the compartment, hoses, wiring, etc.; rebuild the engine for mild performance...I've wanted this car for over 20yrs, finally got her.
Whats the groups suggestions here? I really have a clean slate to work with, money is not tight but not unlimited...Ideas please.
thanks in advance,
John
Just bought a '76, driveable but needs work. My intention is to restore the car to a good driver, not show quality, but restore the mechanicals to like new condition, and paint her. My dilemma is should I put in a few weeks/ few hundred dollars to get her in driveable condition and use her for the summer, or go for the major work right away... I intend to pull the engine, and redo the compartment, hoses, wiring, etc.; rebuild the engine for mild performance...I've wanted this car for over 20yrs, finally got her.
Whats the groups suggestions here? I really have a clean slate to work with, money is not tight but not unlimited...Ideas please.
thanks in advance,
John
Last edited by jfurcht; Apr 6, 2006 at 11:02 PM. Reason: wrong year
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
When you say "drive it for the summer" does that mean you can't drive it in the winter? If so I would definately wait. That is the only advantage to living on the frozen tundra. You have all winter to fix and upgrade without losing any driving time.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Oita, Japan
Originally Posted by rihwoods
Drive it and get suspension sorted out...then pull engine after summer..that way you are getting something done and enjoying it too..
Rich
Rich
drive it first. Get a copy of "How to Restore & Modify your Corvette" by Richard Newton -- enjoy the vette for a while and then plan out a rolling restoration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by rihwoods
Drive it and get suspension sorted out...then pull engine after summer..that way you are getting something done and enjoying it too..
Rich
Rich
wait till the winter for the decomissioning.... cause its going to take longer than expected. When we bought our '70, it wasnt running, pulled the motor out within a week, and the body off within another week.
needless to say, its almost 8 years later, and last year was the first time it hit the road.....
do yourself a favor and enjoy the summer!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: New Castle DE
Drive it and have fun with it before you tear it apart. If you jump in head first you may lose interest along the way. But if you have some nice summer days with the tops out to reminisce about it will keep you going when the going gets bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
DRIVE IT!
When I got my 76 in 1996, it needed a ton of work. I drove it until winter. I worked out a plan that started with the engine, clutch and engine compartment the first winter. Each winter since I have had a project - rear, trailing arms, interior. Had the car ready by April to play during the warm weather.
I did have some brake problems that first summer so I replaced all the calipers and hoses within the first 4 months of ownership.
Good Luck with your 76.
When I got my 76 in 1996, it needed a ton of work. I drove it until winter. I worked out a plan that started with the engine, clutch and engine compartment the first winter. Each winter since I have had a project - rear, trailing arms, interior. Had the car ready by April to play during the warm weather. I did have some brake problems that first summer so I replaced all the calipers and hoses within the first 4 months of ownership.
Good Luck with your 76.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: lakewood (tacoma/seattle) washington
Originally Posted by IMA66/74
Drive it and have fun with it before you tear it apart. If you jump in head first you may lose interest along the way. But if you have some nice summer days with the tops out to reminisce about it will keep you going when the going gets bad.
now thats good advise. because when it gets hard and it will ,that memory will help.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Drive it and do a little bit at a time.
Thats what I did last year and am still doing this year.
Last year I put over 10 thousand miles on it, rebuilt the front suspension, changed the engine, and did several other small projects.
I enjoy driving mine too much to have it down for very long.
Thats what I did last year and am still doing this year.
Last year I put over 10 thousand miles on it, rebuilt the front suspension, changed the engine, and did several other small projects.
I enjoy driving mine too much to have it down for very long.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 2
From: Flanders NJ
Originally Posted by rcread
Driving it will give you an idea of what the car needs, and help you prioritize things. For instance if the brake pedal goes to the floor, you might consider making a note of that.
Winter is fix it time
, summer is drive it time 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Drive it and enjoy it first. I did the same, but the panel lights didn't work so I could only drive during the day. Decided to fix the lights....and a year and a half later, I got it back on the road.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 1
From: Jackson MN
Lots of great information here. I've yet to get my first 'vette, and have learned so much information on here. I will definately also plan on doing any repair/restoration work in the winter(Long winters here mean more time to do that stuff). Will most likely do the steering when I first get it, then brakes/suspension the first winter, then maybe the next winter get more advanced with a engine/tranny restore or swap, and follow up with a full off-frame the following winter... of course this would all depend on the initial condition when I get it
