I am interested in buying a 1970 convertible for sale in my area, but the owner said the front clip needs to be "bonded on to the body". It's a replacement front end. He said there is no frame damage at all. Is it worth a look or should I stay away? Is this costly for a shop to do? I am new to these glass animals.

Thanks, Tony

 

So, it was dammaged, he got it mostly fixed and has a new front clip sittin there ready to put back on?
If you never did this its not something for the faint of heart. Alignment is very critical for how the car will come out.
It might be an ok deal if you can get it cheap enough

 

I have never replaced a front clip. But will be trying this myself on a 81.
I have spoken with a few Corvette shops here in Houston and they tell me to put the hood on first and line it up. Then bond the front around it. They say make sure your inner fenders are OK (I replaced mine with new ones), and grind down the old bonding (glue).
Be sure and prefit, prefit and prefit everything.

 

I agree with six footer. I have replaced many front clips (one piece and other wise). It can be somewhat costly to do, and must be done correctly the first time. Check out some of my old threads here as I have posted pics on the rebody of these cars. We do this all the time at our shop. If you arent going to do it your self then find a reputable shop that can show you pictures of the procedure being done so you know they know what they are doing,(any good resto shop will keep photo records of all resto work). Once you are satisfied with the work talk price.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask me.

 

Thanks everyone!

I will be looking at the Corvette tomorrow, taking pics, then talking to some people at a Corvette resto shop about the front end bonding. BTW, it is a big block 4 speed vert #'s matching, according to the owner.

 

Sounds like a nice ride. Good luck with it!!!!

 

Is it a one piece nose or a factory type nose? A one piece nose is a very easy job. The factory type nose takes some time and work to get right. Unless it is a new jig build nose that is factory correct but already guled together. I perfer to put the upper surround on first then glue the fenders on. So I have never bought the jig built noses. What ever you do Do Not drill holes and use screws to hold the parts in place. They will come back to haunt you. If you use a shop to do the job make sure they don't drill holes. Thats the first sign of an amateur IMO.

 

While not costly for me, I learned the hard way to make sure you use something that is structural strength. Do NOT just use the Vette Panel Adhesive, for instance. Once you would lift the car up, the nose WILL droop!
So, once again I will be attempting this, this time using some strong structural adhesive!

 

Okay, I saw the car. It is a project. It is actually a 1968 427/390 4 speed vert. All casting numbers and V.I.N. match to the car. Not restamped... I can tell. Hard top and soft top included. Engine is apart, block magged, sound for rebuilding. Heads same condition. 4 speed trans. will also need to be gone through.. Needs paint, needs interior work. Needs new tank. No rust... did not see any, anywhere. No original intake, carburetor and alternator. It has one original dated exhaust manifold. Aftermarket front body clip needs to bonded as I mentioned.

What is a good price to pay for this project? Originally Dk. green with blk std. interior.

 

I'd say 7-9k.It is a car worth having,but all bumper cars are.I mean....a more desireable car.Needs tank,so no tank sticker?I would sale the one piece front clip,and get a correct jig moulded front clip,or get a decent used clip,or the org.pieces to put a clip together.W/it being a #s matching BB...you don't want a one piece on there.If you arn't too far away...I'll buy trhe one piece,or take it off the price of a new jig moulded front clip,if you can't find a org.Besides my 68 vert(correct)...I have a bastard car here that needs a clip,so would be interested.The other missing parts are relatively easy to find,since it's the 390 horse vs. the tri-power 400/435 horse cars.I see these intakes regularly in the parts for sale section,and ALL the time on ebay.You just have to be patient,and wait for the right dates.I had a 68 vert awhile back.....that it had the wrong BB(74),and the wrong muncie(M21 from a 70 coupe),the engine was apart,the interior was custom,and gay as hell...body in blk primer,solid frame,a set od incorrect 8' rallys w/good tires,and it went up to 7200.00,I think it was.You have the correct engine/trans/rearend?Both tops,etc....Rust free cars are getting next to impossible to find.Go for it.....

I'll say this too......A #s matching,2 top 68 427/390 horse,auto car that had the rare orange interior,but changed over to red,and car had been repainted red,local here....guy drove it away,and home for 14k.I was too late when I heard about it,but deals like that arn't everyday,either.......You will have some money in this car...that's for sure,but it's also,a good find.

 

if you are going to do most of the work yourself, i would go a little higher than $9K - maybe up to $12K if it is truly a numbers car. does it have a/c? Unless you are a true expert, I would get a few opinions on the stamp and broach marks with this sort of purchase. the block apart ready to put together is a red flag for me that someone could have had it professionally restamped - been there done that i'm going through the same process with a numbers 69 427/400 (non-air) vert roll-over and getting opinions on the stamp - that car is $15K.

 

I am passing on the vert. He is asking $15500. Too much of a project for me at that price, because all of the body and paint work will be done at a resto shop. I will ask, if he dosen't mind me posting his number here.

 

His name is Chris, very nice man. Here is his number for all that may be serious about a project Corvette.

925-785-8593

 

Looks like I am a little late here, but for what its worth, I just paid a little over 800 something to have an aci nose, 2 of their inner fenders and a original hood installed on a 69 vert this week. That also included filling the 6 holes in the deck where the luggage rack was. I removed the old nose prior from bringing them the car which was from a rubber bumper car . If I had a heated garage I was almost tempted to give it a try myself.