Convert 74-77 into 70-72?
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
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Convert 74-77 into 70-72?
Since the price of chrome-bumper C3s continues to escalate, I was wondering if anyone has ever considered converting a 74 through 77 into a 70 through 72 chrome bumper Corvette.
It’s a given that doing this would be time consuming, costly (any collectible value would vanish), and the cost of a conversion may exceed the price of a 68-72. Nevertheless, the main reasons I’ve thought about this are:
1. 75, 76 and 77s were among the highest years of production.
2. Prices are generally much less than the chrome bumper years.
3. Finding one in clean condition may be easier to find.
4. Generally they had a/c, p/s, pb, pw, etc.
5. Reproduction/used parts are available.
6. Modifications could be considered, without worrying about
collectibility or investment concerns.
OK, so dumb idea, or worth considering?
It’s a given that doing this would be time consuming, costly (any collectible value would vanish), and the cost of a conversion may exceed the price of a 68-72. Nevertheless, the main reasons I’ve thought about this are:
1. 75, 76 and 77s were among the highest years of production.
2. Prices are generally much less than the chrome bumper years.
3. Finding one in clean condition may be easier to find.
4. Generally they had a/c, p/s, pb, pw, etc.
5. Reproduction/used parts are available.
6. Modifications could be considered, without worrying about
collectibility or investment concerns.
OK, so dumb idea, or worth considering?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by Dan-O
OK, so dumb idea, or worth considering?
Penny wise, pound foolish to me.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
The cost of doing a decent job of converting one would exceed that of buying a decent 70-72, and the finished product would be worth no more than a 'clone'.
Penny wise, pound foolish to me.
Penny wise, pound foolish to me.
If you want a chrome bumper, find one with a decent frame and body that has a NOM engine and have at it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Sometimes I wonder... why is that frisbee getting bigger? Then it hits me.
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Kalway
What's so difficult about turning a plastic bumper car in to a chrome bumper car?
For the rear though you are talking a CRAPLOAD of work, you would have to get a rear section off of a 68-72, cut it off, then find a way to properly glass it into place on the rear of the rubber bumper car. And good luck doing that and finding a way for it to not crack down the road.
Remember in the 68-73 model years the rear was not like the rubber bumper cars with a one piece removeable tail with lights, the whole rear was glass and the chrome bumpers came off.
I was considering doing a "body swap" on my 77 to a chrome bumper body, and I do mean body SWAP, take a chrome bumper body and drop it on my 77's frame, but after doing some research , the costs would be ridiculous and the mounting points are different.
Just buy a chrome bumpered car and be done with it.
