Guys... What do i do!!!???
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
No way would I sink more money into an entirely new body. Ask yourself one question. Is this a hotrod or an NCRS show car?
After you paint it, all women and most men will stand 5 feet away and say "Wow, what a pretty car". You are worried about things that only you, me and about four or five hundred guys on the forum will know about. If you are going to take it to shows and jack it up with mirrors under it then I understand your concern. I am in the same boat you are in. I am still blocking and sanding and can not wait to paint it. The guy before me even did the cardboard thing when he repaired the batter box.
Personally, I set a goal, determine a budget and do the best I can with what I have. The word perfect is relative.
Think of it like sending a kid to college. There is no return on your investment, you simply do it because you love it.
Corvettes are like woman. Most of them clean up very well. I don’t know anybody that has a perfect example of either though… However, that does not mean they are not fun to drive. (the corvette of course)
After you paint it, all women and most men will stand 5 feet away and say "Wow, what a pretty car". You are worried about things that only you, me and about four or five hundred guys on the forum will know about. If you are going to take it to shows and jack it up with mirrors under it then I understand your concern. I am in the same boat you are in. I am still blocking and sanding and can not wait to paint it. The guy before me even did the cardboard thing when he repaired the batter box.
Personally, I set a goal, determine a budget and do the best I can with what I have. The word perfect is relative.
Think of it like sending a kid to college. There is no return on your investment, you simply do it because you love it.
Corvettes are like woman. Most of them clean up very well. I don’t know anybody that has a perfect example of either though… However, that does not mean they are not fun to drive. (the corvette of course)
I couldn't have said it better than this!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Camarillo CA
Food and Sleep
John,
Just a few words from someone going though the same thing (minus the body damage). I noticed you're on the young side (I'm 22 as well) and got a little discouraged once I had the interior torn out and the engine out. I was forced to stop working on it for a while and seeing it sit in the garage week after week with no change wasn't making be feel better about getting it done.
I just spent all weekend working on it and I feel great about it now.
Like the other guys said, Food, Sleep, 12 hours of work on the car and you'll be back in love
Just a few words from someone going though the same thing (minus the body damage). I noticed you're on the young side (I'm 22 as well) and got a little discouraged once I had the interior torn out and the engine out. I was forced to stop working on it for a while and seeing it sit in the garage week after week with no change wasn't making be feel better about getting it done.
I just spent all weekend working on it and I feel great about it now.
Like the other guys said, Food, Sleep, 12 hours of work on the car and you'll be back in love
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
You'll be okay,bud.Fiberglass is very,VERY forgiving,and itchy...yes,but easy to work w/.Let me tell you something......You should see some of the vettes that i drag home!!!!Some i should have parted,but love these cars,so i saved them,but you know what?There's NONTHING THAT I CAN"T DO,OR HAVEN"T DONE TO ONE OF THESE CARS!!!!Idid have autobody skills,but a vett is kinda a different creature.I just jumped in there,and started,and had faith.Now i'm good at these cars.I have ya covered on the glass that you need for your repairs,and any other help that i can offer.Don't get discouraged.It's easy to buy something vs.fixing something,and there's times when you should,but you are learning something,and saving money.I started out on these cars about 8 years ago(was Mstang guy),and now people call me from all over w/questions on these cars.The first time is intimidating,the next time is easier,and you start perfecting your skills w/coifidence,then it becomes 2nd nature.It will all work out,and you WILL be proud of yourself.I'd rather be the guy getting someone's money to fix his vett,than the guy that has to pay a "vett guy"to fix my car.I'll get your piece cut in the next couple days,and if you need anything elase,let me know.Kevin
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Great analogy!! The 2 youngest of our 4 are still in college, and of those has 6-8 years of medical school ahead to become a PHD MD. Although I tease him about being part of my retirement plan 
, I know that my greatest satisfaction comes from the effort and little successes along the way, not in the "final" results.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant NJ
Wow!!!
Guys... i just wanted to say.. THIS SITE KICKS A$$!!!
Everyone else has just told me to get out of it while i still can.
Well, i don't want to. I am going to do it all... with your help that is! Maybe not in a year... or five! But who cares?!
I will be looking to lift the body within the next few weeks. Already have everything torn out of the interior and have the mid-year checklist to make sure i disconnect everything.
LittleJake... they used a bond-type material to bond the panels in??? I did not know that!! If that is true then i will not try to remove it.
I think the hardest thing is that i am most likely the worst critic at everything i do. I know that when i am done with this car... i am going to drive it.... like cars are supposed to be driven!!! But at the same time, when i do something i don't like to do it half a$$ed! ... I know that the back end is botched up, and that is enough to make me do it right.
Again... you guys are great!!
Everyone else has just told me to get out of it while i still can.
Well, i don't want to. I am going to do it all... with your help that is! Maybe not in a year... or five! But who cares?!
I will be looking to lift the body within the next few weeks. Already have everything torn out of the interior and have the mid-year checklist to make sure i disconnect everything.
LittleJake... they used a bond-type material to bond the panels in??? I did not know that!! If that is true then i will not try to remove it.
I think the hardest thing is that i am most likely the worst critic at everything i do. I know that when i am done with this car... i am going to drive it.... like cars are supposed to be driven!!! But at the same time, when i do something i don't like to do it half a$$ed! ... I know that the back end is botched up, and that is enough to make me do it right.
Again... you guys are great!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant NJ
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
When I was young I made an 18 footer Sail boat you learn alot about fiber glass when making sail boats if you need help bonding metal to glass or some question just fire away .And cars that take working on are a great source of PRIDE when there done .Look down the road see the ball be the ball dadaddddd nannnnaaa
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamitos CA
another noob
I'm another corvette newbie with a life long dream of owning a C2. Finally came to the realization that it wasn't going to happen, so I'm searching for a C3 bumper car now.
Possibly as an indication of my naivite, I found this thread searching for a checklist that might help me evaluate prospective vettes. I'm glad to say that this forum has already been of help to me. After reading this thread I'm convinced that I need to rely on someone with experience.
Thanks to Mslone for creating this checklist with good intentions. It contained checks for a couple of things I hadn't thought of. I'm learning that there's a lot more to vette buying than just knowing the performance stats. Everyone has to start somewhere and I appreciate the willingness to share information.
Possibly as an indication of my naivite, I found this thread searching for a checklist that might help me evaluate prospective vettes. I'm glad to say that this forum has already been of help to me. After reading this thread I'm convinced that I need to rely on someone with experience.
Thanks to Mslone for creating this checklist with good intentions. It contained checks for a couple of things I hadn't thought of. I'm learning that there's a lot more to vette buying than just knowing the performance stats. Everyone has to start somewhere and I appreciate the willingness to share information.
