Building a C3 from Scratch
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Building a C3 from Scratch
I've been toying with this idea for a while, basically what I'm wondering is if it's possible to build a C3 completely from scratch without a donor car. Or in other words, is every possible part and piece of fiberglass, birdcage, whatever that you would need available as a brand new aftermarket or Delco part?
I was thinking of starting with the SRIII frame (below):
I'm talking about brand new everything, new birdcage, body, interior, the whole nine yards without a single piece coming from another car.
Possible? Yes, I realize there are cost-savings to be had by using a donor with a rust-free cage and decent body, but that's still a restoration to me ... I'm looking to do a true 100% 'built from new parts' car.
I was thinking of starting with the SRIII frame (below):
I'm talking about brand new everything, new birdcage, body, interior, the whole nine yards without a single piece coming from another car.
Possible? Yes, I realize there are cost-savings to be had by using a donor with a rust-free cage and decent body, but that's still a restoration to me ... I'm looking to do a true 100% 'built from new parts' car.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
Would it be much different than the '69 Camaros they are now selling? I think it would be really cool, but expensive....and I would be worried about how you would title it....get an exsisting VIN?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
I'm not sure how the title thing will work out,but my main supplier,and a couple other major Corvette places are together on,and working together to make all the parts to build a C2 from scratch,so you would be able to order one,or all the pieces like Year One is doing w/the Camaros.Anything is possible.It only takes a dream,and the cash to back it.......
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Most states have some sort of "kit" or "assembled" title process, but it varies greatly from state to state. Some even allow for "kit" or "assembled" vehicles to be titled as the year they most closely resemble. I know California has a rule like that, but the small number of yearly allowances are usually gone on the first or second business day of January.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,679
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From: Pendleton IN
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
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From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
HEY! way to steal my thread! 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1859746
just kidding, it's cool. all love in the forum
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1859746
just kidding, it's cool. all love in the forum
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Check this out. It's a members car. The URL above talks about the process and logic behind doing this project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I think it might be possible-I wonder about: steering column, dash support, heater box, fuel door, a few other knick-knacks. Also, in some states I believe you have to emission it as the year it is complete. May not be a big deal now, but could be a real issue in the future. IMHO you are much better off with a "vintage" bidrcage and VIN.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
HEY! way to steal my thread!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1859746
just kidding, it's cool. all love in the forum
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1859746
just kidding, it's cool. all love in the forum
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Problem is, even though it is just semantics, it will never be a vette it will be a kit car.
To me even if the only original part used in your car is a birdcage with a vin it was at one point still a real vette that rolled down the real production line.
I know this wouldn't matter to many people but it is my take on it.
If I was doing that I would look for a real body and put an aftermarket chassis/drivetrain under it.
Talking of which I know someone that bought a C2 that had NCRS triple topflight, yes it had been awarded topflight on three seperate occasions, he pulled the body off and put it on an aftermarket chassis, LS2 motor and TTII wheels all round. I am not kidding (although he did already have two other C2's that have NCRS topflight).
To me even if the only original part used in your car is a birdcage with a vin it was at one point still a real vette that rolled down the real production line.
I know this wouldn't matter to many people but it is my take on it.
If I was doing that I would look for a real body and put an aftermarket chassis/drivetrain under it.
Talking of which I know someone that bought a C2 that had NCRS triple topflight, yes it had been awarded topflight on three seperate occasions, he pulled the body off and put it on an aftermarket chassis, LS2 motor and TTII wheels all round. I am not kidding (although he did already have two other C2's that have NCRS topflight).
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: walpole ma
I'm not sure how the title thing will work out,but my main supplier,and a couple other major Corvette places are together on,and working together to make all the parts to build a C2 from scratch,so you would be able to order one,or all the pieces like Year One is doing w/the Camaros.Anything is possible.It only takes a dream,and the cash to back it.......
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13,182
Likes: 99
From: West Chester OH
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
I've been toying with this idea for a while, basically what I'm wondering is if it's possible to build a C3 completely from scratch without a donor car. Or in other words, is every possible part and piece of fiberglass, birdcage, whatever that you would need available as a brand new aftermarket or Delco part?
I was thinking of starting with the SRIII frame (below):
I'm talking about brand new everything, new birdcage, body, interior, the whole nine yards without a single piece coming from another car.
Possible? Yes, I realize there are cost-savings to be had by using a donor with a rust-free cage and decent body, but that's still a restoration to me ... I'm looking to do a true 100% 'built from new parts' car.
I was thinking of starting with the SRIII frame (below):
I'm talking about brand new everything, new birdcage, body, interior, the whole nine yards without a single piece coming from another car.
Possible? Yes, I realize there are cost-savings to be had by using a donor with a rust-free cage and decent body, but that's still a restoration to me ... I'm looking to do a true 100% 'built from new parts' car.
I'm guessing that by the time you're done you could have bought a new Z06 that would out perform anthing you could put together.
Or you could buy an "original numbers matching" L88.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 1
From: Baytown Texas
[QUOTE=cosmicvette;1562785718]Problem is, even though it is just semantics, it will never be a vette it will be a kit car.
To me even if the only original part used in your car is a birdcage with a vin it was at one point still a real vette that rolled down the real production line.
I know this wouldn't matter to many people but it is my take on it.
If I was doing that I would look for a real body and put an aftermarket chassis/drivetrain under it.
QUOTE]
In my experience, the aftermarket repro's don't fit nearly as well as original GM parts. What difference would it make if you started with a car that had a perfect bird cage and body? It can still be brought up to better than new status. I could understand doing this with a C1 or C2, but good C3,s can still be found cheap. Just curious of the reasoning.
To me even if the only original part used in your car is a birdcage with a vin it was at one point still a real vette that rolled down the real production line.
I know this wouldn't matter to many people but it is my take on it.
If I was doing that I would look for a real body and put an aftermarket chassis/drivetrain under it.
QUOTE]
In my experience, the aftermarket repro's don't fit nearly as well as original GM parts. What difference would it make if you started with a car that had a perfect bird cage and body? It can still be brought up to better than new status. I could understand doing this with a C1 or C2, but good C3,s can still be found cheap. Just curious of the reasoning.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
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From: Tampa FL
I expect the price would be right around where the new vettes are when it's all said and done, but I don't think it will be as expensive as an L88 either way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
how do you plan to align all the pieces properly. ther's so much slack in all the pieces (metal birdcage, sills, seat back area,roof, etc, and the main pieces of fiberglass such as the firewall) that has to be positioned in three dimensions, that i think it would be very difficult to build from scratch. these things were assembled on jigs when they were built.
jeff
jeff