Hi everyone,

I am new around these parts, But been around the corvette since I was born. My father purchased this car new in '78 and drove it every day until around '95. The car has well over 500,000kms on it and was driven year round through salt and snow. It is rough around the edges but overall seems to still be a solid car. It has been on and off the road for the past 10 summers but driven very little. We have decided that it is time to get her back on the road, and drop a few thousand into her to get her driving properly again. The first project I need to take on is rear suspension, we replaced the leaf spring a few years back, but the replacement spring just doesnt feel right, it rides to soft, so I think I am going to start with a mono leaf package with all new bushings and sway bars front and rear. Other than suspension it mainly needs little things like door handles, hinges and carpet. I willl try to get a couple pictures of it up soon, If anyone has any suggestions on what to do with the suspension or anything I should check since it has been parked it would be great. I am going to pick the car up from storage this week and get started.

I am also looking for a VIN decoder so I can find out exactly what I am working with, any llinks would be appreciated, I will post the VIN here just in case. 1Z87L8S416167 (I think thats it... it was a little rusty!)

Thanks in advance,

Tristan

 

welcome aboard. VBP has a 10% discount on all brake & suspension parts you need. the savings add up too. I would call them and let one of their techs put together a suspension system for you. I did just that. The made a 330 stiff mono w/460 front coils & a matching set of KYB gas shocks. you may want to up grade the brakes due to sitting, nows the time so you can drive it. GL & post pic's

 

If my Dad bought the car new, I would be yanking the body off and rebuilding the thing right. Especially if it has been on salted roads. I can't see spending money on one that is rusting away. It evidently means something to you that your father bought it and drove it quite a while. I am in the middle of a body off on an 81 I bought cheap and I don't know if I would do another project car without doing a body off. Not only do you learn a tremendous amount but you also don't fight with the car. Everything is much easier to do and there really is not a lot to these things. Good luck and welcome!

 

Hiyas Keep us posted on your progress

 

I was cosidering taking the body off, Im sure all the mounts could use replacing, I will have to do some searches on this forum to see what is involved. I was under the car last night and did a quick inspection of the frame. I did not find any holes but there is plenty of surface rust.

I guess If I pulled the body off It would be much easier to setup the new suspension and exhaust. Can I pull the body without pulling the motor? I would assume so. I just know if I pull the body, I will want to change everything and I will end up spending more on the car then I want to. I would like to get her on the road and driving for the summer and then tear into her again in the fall/winter.

I will keep reading and learning for now before I start tearing into her. I am going to bring her home sometime next week and start the disasembley process.

Thanks for the replys,

Tristan