Longest Restos
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I actually bought my 72 with the hopes that stuff would be wrong with it. I enjoy tinkering on it from time to time. If I don't feel like it, I don't work on it. I only work on it when I am in the correct mood. That's my hobby and my privilege. After all, all I really am is a parts changer. I'm no mechanic.
The restoration will be done on the day I die.
The restoration will be done on the day I die.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
I basically grew up watching my father do a full restoration on a '67 427 vert. It took him 18 years and when it was finished he realized it was worht too much to drive so he sold it. Personally, I'm only at just under 2 years. Hopefully, it'll only be another 2 years to finish.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
I started this , what I thought of as a summer project, 3 1/2 years ago.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...a-71-pics.html
Still going though, very slowly, but still going.
KO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...a-71-pics.html
Still going though, very slowly, but still going.
KO
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
Bought the car back on 1997, fooled by the vendor, engine was crap. 6 month out. then used it for some months, 1º crash!!! 2 years to get it back to life. 1º frame off full resto nice looking car, used it for almost a year. 2000 2º crash car looked a mess (I felt like big stupid), left the car sitting in a garage for a couple of year, and started working on end of 2003 2º frame off, car usable by mid 2007 since then I been using it as is. Still some work to do but (paint job is a 4 footer) but well i wanted to use the car some day so paint will have to wait....
Last edited by kapla74; Jan 8, 2009 at 11:52 AM. Reason: bad phrasing
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
I brought mine home on a trailer last year, around march i think. I anticipate the restoration taking over 5 years considering I am in the middle of a bachelors degree in engineering right now, full time student. When i'm done though I will have a '69 vert to enjoy. I intend to keep it for many years so investing 5 or 6 to start isn't a big deal. I have a '78 stepside I have been working on for over 10 years now! (they are never really done).
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 5
From: the land of a never ending frame-off resto-mod. May Visa have mercy on my soul.
I have owned my 1980 since new and drove it (literally) like I stole it. It was parked in 1992 just because it was worn out. In 2004 I decided to get off my azz and do a resto-mod on it. I planned for 1.5 years and I am now into year 4 and it is coming together with a possible paint in the fall. Here are some pics for you.
I had to move my car and all the parts and tools 3x due to housing issues. No those are not exhaust pipes.
Don't Give Up!!
Yes this hurt BAD. I was under the body while it was hanging and came up short when someone yelled *****.
I had to move my car and all the parts and tools 3x due to housing issues. No those are not exhaust pipes.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: Lisbon Ohio
I hear you all....the biggest limiting factors for me and probably most everyone else is MONEY and TIME 
Not to mention knowledge and skills 
(But that's why a lot of us are here....to learn)
Don't ever give up
. I actually had two different 69 Camaros to restore, but had to sell them without working on them. But on the bright side... if I still had them I might not have my Vette. So it all worked out in the end!
Not to mention knowledge and skills (But that's why a lot of us are here....to learn)Don't ever give up
. I actually had two different 69 Camaros to restore, but had to sell them without working on them. But on the bright side... if I still had them I might not have my Vette. So it all worked out in the end!
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Bought my 71 A little over a year ago from another forum member.
Its all apart and stripped of paint. Haven't touched it yet.
I've been aquiring parts for mine, and finishing up resto's of 2 or 3 other vettes for other people. Plus working my real job every day.
i figure it'll be done by
Someday
Its all apart and stripped of paint. Haven't touched it yet.
I've been aquiring parts for mine, and finishing up resto's of 2 or 3 other vettes for other people. Plus working my real job every day.
i figure it'll be done by
Someday
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Bought my 71 A little over a year ago from another forum member.
Its all apart and stripped of paint. Haven't touched it yet.
I've been aquiring parts for mine, and finishing up resto's of 2 or 3 other vettes for other people. Plus working my real job every day.
i figure it'll be done by
Someday
Its all apart and stripped of paint. Haven't touched it yet.
I've been aquiring parts for mine, and finishing up resto's of 2 or 3 other vettes for other people. Plus working my real job every day.
i figure it'll be done by
Someday
SOMEDAY AFTERNOON!!!! Just in time for a 3 hour Cruise!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I have been working on my 72 for 7 years and will be putting the body back on next month.
My 70 went a lot quicker - less then a year form thisAttachment 47633718
to thisAttachment 47633719
My 70 went a lot quicker - less then a year form thisAttachment 47633718
to thisAttachment 47633719
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Mine is a rolling resto so it doesn't count. I'ts only been off the road over the winter months. I know a guy who spent 13 years restoring a 409/409 62 Bubbletop Bel Air only to sell it without ever even driving it when it was done. He said he did it so nice he was afriad to drive it, plus he had a guy who had been trying to buy it from him for the last several years of the resto, so he sold it to him.