Hey guys,

I just bought my 1979 L-82, my first Vette!! I want to have the interior completely redone. The only thing she doesn't need is new seat covers or gauges, other than that, everything from the carpet to the dash and EVERYTHING else needs to be replaced. The question I have is would it be cheaper for me to attain all the parts and then taker her somewhere to have it all put in (I'd also be getting a new paint job on her at the same time) or would it cost the same to let the shop get everything themselves? Also, if I should get the parts myself, are Willcox and Ecklers the best places to go? I'd appreciate any advice that can be given!

Thanks,
Brandy

 

Not many paint shops would be interested in the interior work. And if you are only cleaning/refurbishing/replacing interior components, that is pretty easy work which you can do [unless you just have more money than time]. The most cost effective things for you to do would be to strip all of the exterior chrome, etc. off the car before the shop does the painting, and then to do the interior yourself after the paint is done. {Why screw-up a newly done interior with paint dust/residue?}

 

Ok, that makes sense. There is a classic car restoration place over here where I live that Gulf Coast Corvettes recommended. I guess I need to make a list of stuff for the interior and start amassing all the peices and in the meantime go get a quote for the paint job. Thanks for the help!

 

Just be aware that any interior pieces that are not damaged or severly worn can be refurbished to "like new" condition without replacing them. Interior pieces are fairly expensive; re-use all of them that you can. (just clean them up and re-dye them)

 

Congratulations on the new purchase. I agree, strip the interior before paint, and redo after the paint. That's what I was told way back when and it worked out pretty well.

Joe Johnson
jj@magdana.com

 

Hi Brandy,
In My opinion, it would definately be less costly to buy the parts yourself and have your shop install them. Remember, if they take the time to locate and order all those parts, they are gonna wanna get paid for that, plus there is their mark-up on these parts as well.
On the other hand you could run into the issue of making sure you have everything the shop might need to install...ie: clips, screws, hardware, ect. (from experience there were many things I just didn't think of until I found I needed (insert obscure part here) to install this panel...lol
I suppose it would come down to your relatonship with the shop. Would they give you a list of what they need and let you obtain it?
What is YOUR mechinical ability? You say the seat covers and guages do not need replacing...The dash and the seats are, in my opinion, the hardest part of the job. Have you considered doing it yourself? Or perhaps with the help of a friend/relitive? I don't want to downplay the difficulty, but it's not rocket science. I did my '77 with basic tools and a bit of patience.
As far as the Vendor for the parts, I ordered from several, but one thing I discovered was with the exception of a few parts, everything came with "Corvette Central" on the label, and the vendors own sticker/part number somewhere else...so, with that said, in my opinion find the best price, it's all coming from the same place anyway.
Hope this helps...
Good luck, and congrats on you first 'vette!

Bobby

 

Can't tell from your profile info but are you referring to Gulf Coast Corvettes in Houston, TX? If so we have a local C3 club and we are always willing to help work on a members car. Let me know if you are in Houston.

 

Hi Brandy,
I believe another thing to consider is that new interior parts OFTEN don't fit as well as they should. This is another reason to follow 7T1's advice about saving and restoring what parts you can.
Regards,
Alan

 

I agree, recondition the items you can salvage! On your car you can re-dye the pillar post, the rear roof panels, and the rear window ledge trim, kick panels, glove box door, lower column cover as well as other items.

If possible, you want to salvage your parking brake console cover. Depending on what color the interior is would be my deciding factor. Some consoles come molded in color but there are limited colors available, the rest are spray dyed. The covers with spray dye don’t hold up very well so you may as well dye you old one and try to re-use it. Then as a last resort use a dyed cover. I think Black, Red and Saddle are the colors available but I would have to check this.

Carpet on the 1978-1982 cars is pretty easy to install so I don’t think you should take it somewhere to have this done. The hardest part of the carpet is the rear compartment unit and this is where you should go with the entire unit over trying to build it yourself. Building it will save you money in the short run, but the time involved is again not worth the extra effort. The difference in parts to repair vs. the cost to purchase it ready to install to me makes the assembly worth the money.

We always replace the shift console side panels over fixing the old set, they are too cheap to waste time.

Door panels on this car are also pretty easy to replace too! A good thing to remember when you have the door panels off the car is always check the screw holes for the armrest. Make sure they are not stripped out and if they are repair them while you have the door panel off.

Good luck,

Willcox

 

A good thing to remember when you have the door panels off the car is always check the screw holes for the armrest. Make sure they are not stripped out and if they are repair them while you have the door panel off.

This is so, so true. There is a lot of pull pressure on the nose of the armrest and the attachment screw pulls out and enlarges the attachment area on the steel door frame.

Here are some pics of my 1979 repair from years ago.

Here you see the screw pulled out and the attachment hole on the steel door frame has been enlarged. The screw won't re-attach.



This is advertised as a repair kit but all it does is reinforce the nose. It does not solve the basic problem.



There are several options at this point: weld the hole and re-drill to correct diameter, JB Weld a plastic drywall anchor in there, or use a 25-cent speednut. I chose the latter solution.



This is the finished product still good after 7-8 years.



People like pics so here is my former 1979 L-82 and my current 1974 together.

 

Hi, You just need to be aware that sometimes the color matchs from different vendors are not close, in the case of carpets, carpeted mats, console side trim etc. so I'd try to get what ever from the same place. Good Luck,,,Peace, Moosie

 

swtato,

Yes I'm in Houston, Katy to be exact!! I was actually planning on checking into joining one of the clubs in Houston, which one are you a member of?

 

Oh, and thanks for all the great advice guys!! I do have one more question, will I get my a$$ kicked by other C3 owners for painting the Vette Barbie Pink?

 

Not if you are into Mary Kay products....

 

Lol!! I've been considering it, but I'm also loving all the compliments I'm getting on the red paintjob. Hmmm.............

 

Please don't convert a C3 from "macho" to 'cute'... :o

 

Put down the Pink Paint...and step away from the 'Vette!

 

Good advise on the door handle. I hadn't thought of using that. Will make it much easier for me.

 

Like Mike ("swtato") said, check out the Houston C3 club (http://www.houstonc3.homeip.net/). We're a group that helps each other working on our cars.

 

Corvettes Of Houston can handle all the interior work for you. Give Chris a call at 281-821-1222.