Thinking about throwing in the towel....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
heres some motivation for you
took me about 10,000 plus cost of car........
i didnt know anything about vettes.... i bought mine when it was blue and had bad bumpers/interior/etc
took me 2.5 years... i also worked 12 hour days in construction
b
took me about 10,000 plus cost of car........
i didnt know anything about vettes.... i bought mine when it was blue and had bad bumpers/interior/etc
took me 2.5 years... i also worked 12 hour days in construction
b
Last edited by onaqwst; Sep 30, 2008 at 03:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Skill sets are not the most important thing. The people on this forum can get you through most jobs. The most important thing is that you enjoy doing it. These cars are old. They need work on an ongoing basis. If you are not willing to try and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when you complete a task then this is not the hobby for you. There are going to be many challenges when you work on old cars and if you look forward to the challenges and enjoy meeting them then this is the hobby for you. If you don't and dread every time something happens to the car then you should probably get out. Sell it and buy a nice used or new car.
My .02 would be for you to take a break and see if the flame rekindles. If not, just sell it and be done with it. Perhaps in a few years you'll get the bug again and be in a better place to deal with it. The worst thing to do would be to abandon it in your driveway and have to look at it every time you walk in the door. Nothing good comes of that.[/QUOTE]
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
God knows no one is more inept than I. The guys on this forum have really helped me through some tight spots and I have no regrets about keeping my car. I have just painted it and I think it is awful but I will not give up. I'll sand and paint again until I get it right. I think it is a matter of pride and determination. No one could have been more disappointed than I at what I have accomplished on this car but when I finally have successes it feels great!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Not having the time may very well be a valid reason for selling the car. However,the skills can be acquired. It is only nuts and bolts after all. I don't know about you,but I try to never concede to an inanimate object!
Stick with it....You won't regret it!
Mark
Stick with it....You won't regret it!
Mark
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: PASADENA MARYLAND
Its more fun if you can bounce ideas and problems with some guys in your area that own and love to work on the same vintage corvette ..
And onaqwst, thats got to be one of the best looking projects ive seen in a long time...
What yr is that and what color ??
And onaqwst, thats got to be one of the best looking projects ive seen in a long time...
What yr is that and what color ??
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
it was a 77....hehehe
rebuilt the entire car... only thing i didnt do was pull the body or changed the gas/brake lines.
the color is close to a seafoam green...it was a custom mix and has a blue pearl in the clear.....
i need to redo the interior....
b
rebuilt the entire car... only thing i didnt do was pull the body or changed the gas/brake lines.
the color is close to a seafoam green...it was a custom mix and has a blue pearl in the clear.....
i need to redo the interior....
b
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane Australia
I relate to your situation and feel your pain as well and many others on this forum likewise. I love C3's, I currently have an 82 model, I'm getting no younger and am now 62 and these particular cars are difficult to work on. I find that I'm now paying others to do work I'd have done myself five years ago and that in itself costs money that really is not budgeted for.My advice or ywo cents worth is to have a break from the vette work and then assess your situation fully.I'm personally not the most patient guy as well which makes it even more difficult but a break is in order here and if/when you attack the project again once you're stuck ask advice from the forum members - ther are no better people to consult,they are the most helpful and knowledgeable guys you'll ever find.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: PASADENA MARYLAND
[QUOTE=onaqwst;1567317932]it was a 77....hehehe
rebuilt the entire car... only thing i didnt do was pull the body or changed the gas/brake lines.
the color is close to a seafoam green...it was a custom mix and has a blue pearl in the clear.....
i need to redo the interior....
Well done .....
I like the smooth look with no chrome , emblems etc ....even looks like the door handles are gone ...
I have a '74 project car that needs a little tlc and paint ....
And you sure have given me some ideas..
rebuilt the entire car... only thing i didnt do was pull the body or changed the gas/brake lines.
the color is close to a seafoam green...it was a custom mix and has a blue pearl in the clear.....
i need to redo the interior....
Well done .....
I like the smooth look with no chrome , emblems etc ....even looks like the door handles are gone ...
I have a '74 project car that needs a little tlc and paint ....
And you sure have given me some ideas..
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Bill - don't give up. I've had my Vettes for about 10 years and I knew nothing about them when I first started - now I can change calipers/do a lot of mechanical in addition to detailing. I still can't do certain things for lack of space/tools. What I did was find a good, back woods mechanic about 45 years old that has worked on these cars - he gives quotes up front and sticks to them. He is honest and won't do any work not necessary. And, especially, with this forum you can get almost anything answered. If you like the car take a brake, but stick with it as there will be a reward in the end.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
Don't give up on the hobby but maybe give up on the car...hear me out on this. I sold my 150+ mile, fix one thing the next thing down stream breaks, tired but good 20/20 paint job (looked good from 20 feet at 20 mph), '82. I then bought an IDENTICAL 1982 only this had 22K miles and a 9.5 our of 10 paint job...smooth as silk, 100% original. First weekend I had the car I had to torque 20 bolts...rotated the tires! The money I would've spent on restoring the old '82 was combined the sale of the old '82 and I came out ahead! If your working with a chrome bumper big-block car, this method will not work. If your working with a 78 - 82 car, they can be had in very good condition for $15 ~ $20K. This is a car you can drive/enjoy without worrying about what is gonna bust next. I may wax her too much but I'm enjoying this car sooo much more. Yes, she's a slow '82 but man what a cruiser. 
Last edited by 2TONE82; Oct 2, 2008 at 10:57 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
[QUOTE=lock-n-load;1567330477]
there's more body mods that you dont really notice ...look deeper..heheh
b
it was a 77....hehehe
rebuilt the entire car... only thing i didnt do was pull the body or changed the gas/brake lines.
the color is close to a seafoam green...it was a custom mix and has a blue pearl in the clear.....
i need to redo the interior....
Well done .....
I like the smooth look with no chrome , emblems etc ....even looks like the door handles are gone ...
I have a '74 project car that needs a little tlc and paint ....
And you sure have given me some ideas..
rebuilt the entire car... only thing i didnt do was pull the body or changed the gas/brake lines.
the color is close to a seafoam green...it was a custom mix and has a blue pearl in the clear.....
i need to redo the interior....
Well done .....
I like the smooth look with no chrome , emblems etc ....even looks like the door handles are gone ...
I have a '74 project car that needs a little tlc and paint ....
And you sure have given me some ideas..
there's more body mods that you dont really notice ...look deeper..heheh
b
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Been there,Done that and still doing it
Patience is the key,I found that out when I did my rear suspension this spring.Man those trailing arms are a PITA.I'm no mechanic but I ask around and I especially get alot of help here from the good folks on the forum. Next week I'm taking my th350 to rebuild it with a new torque converter and shift kit.It is a money pit like many say but I love my car
Don't lose hope,you'll love it even more when your done and can say you did it by yourself(even with a little help)
80_vette
Patience is the key,I found that out when I did my rear suspension this spring.Man those trailing arms are a PITA.I'm no mechanic but I ask around and I especially get alot of help here from the good folks on the forum. Next week I'm taking my th350 to rebuild it with a new torque converter and shift kit.It is a money pit like many say but I love my car
Don't lose hope,you'll love it even more when your done and can say you did it by yourself(even with a little help)
80_vette
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Canastota Ny
Spent two plus hours replacing the Speedo gear and seal to stop a large transmission leak. Sore neck and my hands are still bleeding and yes the leak was only reduced by 50%.
To make matters worse, it's been raining, cloudy and cold this past weekend and rain in the forecast the rest of the week plus the weekend.
Just waiting to look down that hood and hear the exhaust behind me.
There are rides to take and winter storage in a month.
I throw in the towel every November and at tax time 4/15 it’s back to driving and trying to keep fluids off the garage floor.
To make matters worse, it's been raining, cloudy and cold this past weekend and rain in the forecast the rest of the week plus the weekend.
Just waiting to look down that hood and hear the exhaust behind me.
There are rides to take and winter storage in a month.
I throw in the towel every November and at tax time 4/15 it’s back to driving and trying to keep fluids off the garage floor.