Hey All!!

My name is Kevin, 22 years old in Ft. Lauderdale FL

My step father and I just purchased an 81 Vette on ebay.

We can't wait to start working on it!!!

Below are some pics of it... tell me what ya think? We got it for $7725-- its got 61k miles on it. Everything's original.

We just got it home so we dont have plates for it and I haven't driven it much, the motor sounds like it runs great, i've only been around the block like 20 times with it so far lol.

Today though the "battery" and the "choke" light came on...

I have no idea what the hell the choke is. ... i'm not used to older cars. my step-dad will though and I guess we'll figure it out...

The voltage meter didnt' drop at all even though we had it running for about a good half hour, so I'm not sure why the battery light came on.

Our plans, mostly cosmetic for now, new interior and paint-- since the motor seems to run fine. We'll see what kinda mechanical shape its in when we get it up on a lift.

I'll try my best to use the search functions, but I know I'm going to have a billion questions!

1st one--- With all the repair/service manuals out there can someone recommend me which is the best for diagrams and instructions on how to do-- basiaclly everything? lol

Thanks...


















My inspriation for what i'd like to to look like (cosmetically at least):

 

I asked the same question when I first started up...
Here is the link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1778177

I have found the Corvette 1966-1982 Shop Manual to be very helpful.

Good luck!

Kenny Z.

 

Looks like you got a great ride at a good price! Welcome!

 

my step dad wants it more for an investment... though he's only realizing now that if h pours 15k into restoring tihs thing to daily driving duty... (paint, interior, motor maintenance)

he's not gonan be able to sell it back for 20k plus...

I personally can't really get excited aout putting time and effort into a car that he jsut wants to sell for a profit.

so i'm hoping as we progress he'll appreciate it enough to not wanna sell it. at least not till i can afford it! :-)

 

Welcome to the Forum!

Kona

 

Tell your dad "Good luck with that."

 

Nice ride.

 

Not really the year to invest in. But looks like a nice car for the price... I have a 77 49k all orig,and I purchased it to drive. Maybe you guys can work something out..

Good luck..

 

Welcome to the forum. There are lots of really knowledgeable folks here. Start asking your questions. Tell Pa-in-law he might not have the best investment car, but a great fun toy. Tank

 

i think if he can drive the car for a year or so and at least sell it for what he put into it he'd probably be happy.

 

the GM 66-82 manual? the helms? which one??? more importantly, where can i buy online for a decent price?

 

Just go along with him and put all your time and love into it. When it comes to selling it for a profit,you're going to be in the drivers seat!

 

Looks like a pretty nice car. The black on black is hot.

I have an 81, also. I wonder if someone hasn't been monkeying with the computer system maybe? 81 was the first year for CCC, and I'm still trying to figure out what exactly it did, even though it's long gone from my car.

I don't seem to remember that mass of bright red wiring on my car. I know it's there, but it's not red like that. I'm not really an electrical guy, but maybe that has something to do with it?

Great car you've got there. First thing you should do is vacuum the interior

 

This one:

http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-1966-.../dp/0879382368

I think I got mine on ebay for like $20.00

Kenny Z.

 

i plan on ripping the entire thing out this week so i didn't really care lol just wanted some good pics to post up.

thanks though

 

Welcome to the forum nice car and good luck with it. I don't know what it needs or what you want to do to it but here are some suggestions.

Read. Read. Read. Then do the work. Get a Chevy Cassis Manual for your year, also an AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual). They can be found on Ebay or from any of the Corvette vendors like- Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, Corvette America, Wilcox, Etc. There is nothing like trying to dissasemble a car without any idea how it goes together.

Have a plan as to what you want to do with the car. Rest-mod, stock restoration, Concours show car, safe daily driver and then work toward that goal. As far as original milage is concerned do not bet the ranch on it. The car is nearly 30 years old so that is only 2K miles per year. Fat chance!! 160K is only 6K per year. Enjoy the car and enjoy working on it with you step dad that is the biggest gain you will get. 81's are not investment grade collectibles and the price you paid is fair for what you bought. Paint and interior will put you over the book value but you will have a nice looking car you can drive and enjoy.

 

what about a book for a noob on motors?

I'm not as much of a car guy i'd like to be esp when it comes to motors. i'm more of a magazine car guy lol.

anyway I'm looking for a good book on the 350--- anything that can teach me how things work, from a very basic stand point

any suggestion? my step dad's father used to on a shop in his day and he worked there till he was in his early 20's so he knows a thing or two about vettes and motors before technology started taking things over... so i'll learn from him too. but assume i know nothing but EXTREME basics.

biggest reason i'm looking for something like this is amazon's got free shipping if i spend 10 dollars more, might as well add to my library and learn something in the process..

 

doesn't get any more basic than this:
howstuffworks

 

excellent thanks!!

 

sweet works for me--- good starting point :-)