full resto on 68, Help!!
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Joined: Jan 2007
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full resto on 68, Help!!
I inherited a 68 corvette from a old friend. I know the year sucks but the price is right. The problem is that it should just be junked. The car is red with black interior, but the numbers show that it is supposed to be bronze with dark orange interior. So, basically i am starting from scratch. But first I have to get it stripped down to the frame. I have all the interior out, engine, clutch and so on but i cant seem to break any of the body mounts loose. and tricks or suggestions. Another thing. The last owner put these ugly wide flares on the rear end and decided to get rid of the headlights ( he plated over the holes and bonded them shut. I can see the outline of where they used to be, but it looks like the headlight covers recessed in the body and rested on a ridge that surrounded the whole cut out, can anyone tell me if i am correct or not.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
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From: North NJ
Usually you don't inherit something that you pay for. You bought a 68.
The body mount bolts are very difficult. More than likely you will break the bolts which aren't that big of a deal if you plan on lifting the body off the frame. Shoot them with lots of PBBlaster, go back every night for 4 days and spray some more. I had to sawzall my #3 bolts in half to get them out (mount right infront of rear tires).
If your body mounts are original they will be aluminum disks (bushings). Only 68's had them. I replaced mine with Poly.
Check these out....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=Body+Mount
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=Body+Mount
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=Body+Mount
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=Body+Mount
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=Body+Mount
Last edited by 68 NJConv 454; Jan 29, 2007 at 06:06 PM.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Salisbury Maryland
I'm in sales, so I usually start with a compliment before you ask for advice. Otherwise, the advice you get could be misleading
. Not that anybody here would do that, except maybe a 68 owner...
I own a 69 Coupe
, but I have lots of friends that own C1's, 2's, 3's and I guess a little of 'em all. Each is unique in it's year in some way, history has proven that. I like them all. However, I'm partial to the chrome bumper's, but that's my choice, which is why I chose a 69. Everyone has thier own choice and opinion. If you go into this resto with that kind of an attitude, it's going to get the best of, and you won't make it. If the brake system doesn't do it
, then the vacuum system will
.
I have a friend that taught me this: when the car starts to get the better of you, quit for the day, come back tomorrow with a fresh prospective and it'll help resolve the issue. He recently completed a frame-on 64 coupe that he bought for $16k about 15 years ago. It's killer!
I wish you the best of luck!
. Not that anybody here would do that, except maybe a 68 owner... I own a 69 Coupe
, but I have lots of friends that own C1's, 2's, 3's and I guess a little of 'em all. Each is unique in it's year in some way, history has proven that. I like them all. However, I'm partial to the chrome bumper's, but that's my choice, which is why I chose a 69. Everyone has thier own choice and opinion. If you go into this resto with that kind of an attitude, it's going to get the best of, and you won't make it. If the brake system doesn't do it , then the vacuum system will . I have a friend that taught me this: when the car starts to get the better of you, quit for the day, come back tomorrow with a fresh prospective and it'll help resolve the issue. He recently completed a frame-on 64 coupe that he bought for $16k about 15 years ago. It's killer!
I wish you the best of luck!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
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From: Honolulu Hawaii
[QUOTE=68 NJConv 454;1558730473]WHAT!!!!! 68 does not suck...in fact, it is the birth of the C3 and the most "unique" year out of all the c3's. You lookin for a butt woopin?
Usually you don't inherit something that you pay for. You bought a 68.
[QUOTE=Deron;1558731134]want to sell it.
with all of the above... I have no regrets on buying my '68. Even if getting the right parts can be a PITA...
Usually you don't inherit something that you pay for. You bought a 68.
[QUOTE=Deron;1558731134]want to sell it.
with all of the above... I have no regrets on buying my '68. Even if getting the right parts can be a PITA...
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geez, give the guy a break. We all know 68s suk, and the major prerequisite for ownership is a thick skin, so toughen up!! 
He inherited it. That means he paid zero for it. That's what is meant by "the price was right" The price of free, or zero, was the right price. Anyway.... what was the question??
BTW, congrats on the acquisiton of your 1968 Corvette Sting Ray!!!
He inherited it. That means he paid zero for it. That's what is meant by "the price was right" The price of free, or zero, was the right price. Anyway.... what was the question??
BTW, congrats on the acquisiton of your 1968 Corvette Sting Ray!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
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From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
I inherited a 68 corvette from a old friend. I know the year sucks but the price is right. The problem is that it should just be junked. The car is red with black interior, but the numbers show that it is supposed to be bronze with dark orange interior. So, basically i am starting from scratch. But first I have to get it stripped down to the frame. I have all the interior out, engine, clutch and so on but i cant seem to break any of the body mounts loose. and tricks or suggestions. Another thing. The last owner put these ugly wide flares on the rear end and decided to get rid of the headlights ( he plated over the holes and bonded them shut. I can see the outline of where they used to be, but it looks like the headlight covers recessed in the body and rested on a ridge that surrounded the whole cut out, can anyone tell me if i am correct or not.
your obvious disdain for our lovevly 68 aside, what makes the car a junker?
frame rot, bird cage rot, missing components, previeous accident, blown motor, fried tranny, what?
so far there is not enough in your description to make an acrruate assessment, got any pics to share?
I wont go into a rant on the why 68 sucks or is great, but if you want more that just conjecture, share more info, once you own a 68, you are marked for life, so you may as well get used to it now
let us know what you are finding
tim
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68's do not suck as you stated. I have one and think it is a great car. But based on the description you gave of yours I might be inclined to agree. Good luck
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Pro
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I wish I had inherited my car. Then I would not have had to pay, like so many do, myself included, for a wrong color, wrong interior car, missing a ton of parts car that you want to restore back to it's former glory. My wife could't belive that I was actualy paying for that car she saw coming home on a flat bed.
schmegeggie, was right in his quote; (if you go into it with a bad attitude it will get the best of you.)
The 68 is a great car, despite a few quality control and engineering flaws. It was an iconic design, and if it was'nt for the 68 there would not be a c3 fourum.
schmegeggie, was right in his quote; (if you go into it with a bad attitude it will get the best of you.)
The 68 is a great car, despite a few quality control and engineering flaws. It was an iconic design, and if it was'nt for the 68 there would not be a c3 fourum.
Le Mans Master
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I wish I had inherited my car. Then I would not have had to pay, like so many do, myself included, for a wrong color, wrong interior car, missing a ton of parts car that you want to restore back to it's former glory. My wife could't belive that I was actualy paying for that car she saw coming home on a flat bed.
schmegeggie, was right in his quote; (if you go into it with a bad attitude it will get the best of you.)
The 68 is a great car, despite a few quality control and engineering flaws. It was an iconic design, and
if it was'nt for the 68 there would not be a c3 fourum.
schmegeggie, was right in his quote; (if you go into it with a bad attitude it will get the best of you.)
The 68 is a great car, despite a few quality control and engineering flaws. It was an iconic design, and
if it was'nt for the 68 there would not be a c3 fourum.
Here here !!