1979 father/son project
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63
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From: Enid OK
1979 father/son project
My father & I have finally decided to save for a vette. He had a 79 when I was a kid, but I got sick so he had to sell it. Now that he is sick, we want something to work on together. We want to get a clean, low mileage, unmodified 79. Here is our plan for it.
$15000 for the car (preferably black/black int.) Hopefully this is a bit high.
1)aftermarket efi for driveability & gas mileage $3000
2)headers & full exhaust system (not for sure which one yet) $1000
3)vb&p suspension kit $1500
4)17/18" torq thrust II or 17" rallye wheels $2000
5)700r4 transmission (stock type, nothing crazy) $1500
$1000 for misc. parts
We basically just want a car we can drive all over the place and enjoy. Our budget is roughly $25000.
If there is anything else you guys think we would need, or if you think my estimation is wrong, please let me know.
$15000 for the car (preferably black/black int.) Hopefully this is a bit high.
1)aftermarket efi for driveability & gas mileage $3000
2)headers & full exhaust system (not for sure which one yet) $1000
3)vb&p suspension kit $1500
4)17/18" torq thrust II or 17" rallye wheels $2000
5)700r4 transmission (stock type, nothing crazy) $1500
$1000 for misc. parts
We basically just want a car we can drive all over the place and enjoy. Our budget is roughly $25000.
If there is anything else you guys think we would need, or if you think my estimation is wrong, please let me know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Just an FYI, if you want something to work on.. Shoot for 1/2 that price or less than that even.
At $15k, you are gonna find a pretty nice 79'. I paid $6k for my 79 last year with 85k original miles, in great mechanical shape... All I have had to do is put in a new radiator, brakes, master cylinder, new front suspension, interior, tires., and lastly PAINT.. (the most expensive).
I probably have about $2k into that $6k purchase. Add the paint, and I am probably right about at or below that $15k mark.
I really think at 15k, you will find something with a nice paint job on it. Shave off 50% of the price and you'll have something to work on.
It sounds like you are looking at finding something in good shape, then pimping it out a bit..
I've done the father son thing. My dad sold his 61' Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible for $300 in 1971. That was the cost of the hospital bill to have me! (my kid was $18,000.00 almost 5 years ago).
Anyway, dad and I did a frame up resto on a 74 1/2 MGB. Paid $300 for the MGB in 1994 btw.
Anyway, at the end of the day $15k is gonna buy a pretty nice 79 IMO..
Good luck!
At $15k, you are gonna find a pretty nice 79'. I paid $6k for my 79 last year with 85k original miles, in great mechanical shape... All I have had to do is put in a new radiator, brakes, master cylinder, new front suspension, interior, tires., and lastly PAINT.. (the most expensive).
I probably have about $2k into that $6k purchase. Add the paint, and I am probably right about at or below that $15k mark.
I really think at 15k, you will find something with a nice paint job on it. Shave off 50% of the price and you'll have something to work on.
It sounds like you are looking at finding something in good shape, then pimping it out a bit..
I've done the father son thing. My dad sold his 61' Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible for $300 in 1971. That was the cost of the hospital bill to have me! (my kid was $18,000.00 almost 5 years ago).
Anyway, dad and I did a frame up resto on a 74 1/2 MGB. Paid $300 for the MGB in 1994 btw.
Anyway, at the end of the day $15k is gonna buy a pretty nice 79 IMO..
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Find a '79 with good paint and interior [and little rust], but don't worry about the engine and tranny. You should be able to pick one up with engine/tranny problems for less than $8K. Then pull the engine/tranny and install an efi crate engine and 700R or 200R rebuilt overdrive transmission. You will end up with a nice driver for around the $15000 you are willing to spend for a "fixer-upper". It won't be original, but [if you want] you can then rebuild the original engine/tranny and swap the drivetrain...or just keep the fresh original drivetrain for a future buyer.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63
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From: Enid OK
Thanks for the info guys. I hoped I was overestimating the initial cost of the car. 10K may be closer. My big thing is I don't want to have to deal with rust (especially around the bird cage area). If I could find one in great shape for 10k, We'd consider a gm crate engine with efi. Just don't know what kind of car I can get for 10k.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
My 68 is a father/son project in a loose sense. He started it, I finished it(long story)! He couldn't believe it was the same car when he came out(from Michigan) and saw it! I wish we could have worked on it together though, I envy you
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63
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From: Enid OK
682xlr8,
My 68 is a father/son project in a loose sense. He started it, I finished it(long story)! He couldn't believe it was the same car when he came out(from Michigan) and saw it! I wish we could have worked on it together though, I envy you
It's been a long time coming. We wanted to do it 10yrs ago, but life got in the way. We figure it's going to take at least 3yrs, but I figure we waited 20yrs, what another 3.
My 68 is a father/son project in a loose sense. He started it, I finished it(long story)! He couldn't believe it was the same car when he came out(from Michigan) and saw it! I wish we could have worked on it together though, I envy you
It's been a long time coming. We wanted to do it 10yrs ago, but life got in the way. We figure it's going to take at least 3yrs, but I figure we waited 20yrs, what another 3.
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ran great for the first 25 miles until the alternator melted the belt....black smoke everywhere lol
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Here is a car you dont really have to do anything with.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...highlight=1979
I purchased my 77 L48 with 48k miles, all orig. for 7500.00 So you can find a 79 for a good price and do pretty much anything you want to it for the money you have bugeted. 25k
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...highlight=1979
I purchased my 77 L48 with 48k miles, all orig. for 7500.00 So you can find a 79 for a good price and do pretty much anything you want to it for the money you have bugeted. 25k
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Here is another
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...highlight=1979
You should fill out your profile so we know where you located.. SOmeone might have a car in your area.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...highlight=1979
You should fill out your profile so we know where you located.. SOmeone might have a car in your area.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Just get one with a nice body/paint and the bird cage in good shape. Those would be your two biggest expenses on a Vette, and would probably take six months to a year out of your build.
Welcome to the forum. You'll find TONS of useful information and knowledge here.
Welcome to the forum. You'll find TONS of useful information and knowledge here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
My father & I have finally decided to save for a vette. He had a 79 when I was a kid, but I got sick so he had to sell it. Now that he is sick, we want something to work on together. We want to get a clean, low mileage, unmodified 79. Here is our plan for it.
$15000 for the car (preferably black/black int.) Hopefully this is a bit high.
1)aftermarket efi for driveability & gas mileage $3000
2)headers & full exhaust system (not for sure which one yet) $1000
3)vb&p suspension kit $1500
4)17/18" torq thrust II or 17" rallye wheels $2000
5)700r4 transmission (stock type, nothing crazy) $1500
$1000 for misc. parts
We basically just want a car we can drive all over the place and enjoy. Our budget is roughly $25000.
If there is anything else you guys think we would need, or if you think my estimation is wrong, please let me know.
$15000 for the car (preferably black/black int.) Hopefully this is a bit high.
1)aftermarket efi for driveability & gas mileage $3000
2)headers & full exhaust system (not for sure which one yet) $1000
3)vb&p suspension kit $1500
4)17/18" torq thrust II or 17" rallye wheels $2000
5)700r4 transmission (stock type, nothing crazy) $1500
$1000 for misc. parts
We basically just want a car we can drive all over the place and enjoy. Our budget is roughly $25000.
If there is anything else you guys think we would need, or if you think my estimation is wrong, please let me know.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Enid OK
thanks for the comments guys. We hope to have a car bought by june 09. I've been rethinking this project. I think we're going to go a new direction. I still want a rust free original car, but I think I want to go with a high performance fuel injected engine(zz4 maybe) & a keisler 5sp. Any more suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Never forget how lucky you are to have your dad go with you on this project. I remember helping my dad when I was a little guy. He never even rode in my corvettes..........I would give anything to have him help me work on my 72.
By the way, you can get a 700R4 on ebay for under $500 rebuilt and a warranty. I have had one of their units in my C4 for a couple of years with no problems.
Now be a good boy and fill out your profile.....
By the way, you can get a 700R4 on ebay for under $500 rebuilt and a warranty. I have had one of their units in my C4 for a couple of years with no problems.
Now be a good boy and fill out your profile.....
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: santa clara ca
Yes you are... I bought my father / son project thinking it would be one of those KODAK Moments. Even though he was only 3 at the time i was getting everthing ready, stocking up on parts going to swap meets just getting everything ready. i knew that this would take a while and figured he would have an awsome car when he got his license well... Long story short my son was dignosed with Autism. the project has been put on hold. It kills me to walk by it everyday not knowing what the future brings. anyway off to work i go