I bought a '79 that had some serious garage time. It runs well, but needs some TLC in many areas. I am interested in restoring it, but not necessarily to stock configuration. I want something that looks very nice and new, but not so pristine I'm afraid to drive it to work. I don't plan on winning any shows!

Next summer, I want to put a 383 in it, and the interior needs some work. Nothing serious, just some new carpeting, bezels, and things of that nature. I have already done some work, mostly to make the car safe and operational. I replaced all front end bushings, which had dry rotted severly, I rebuilt the power steering valve, rebuilt the carburetor, and tuned the engine up.

Before I dive into the project, I wanted some advice from those who have been there. Is there a good strategy to approach a rebuild project, or is it done as you can afford things? For example, I'm thinking the paint job should be one of the last things I do. However, the engine and suspension, as well as the interior, seem to me to be able done in parallel.

Also, my car does not have A/C. The vendor catalogs I have looked at don't seem to sell climate controls without the A/C option (Zip, Corvette Central, and Mid-america), nor can I find the corvette bezel that replaces the missing air vents in the non-A/C option. Any sources would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, as part of the resotration, I've considered installing an A/C system. Has anyone done this. I'm thinking it may be more trouble than it's worth. Thanks.

 

MajD

It's all a question of what your long term goals are and how much money you have.
If you plans are to restore the car for value, it's a different approach than if you are dressing it up for a daily driver, not that you should sacrifice safety. Sounds like you are not that concerned about NCRS, so i would take care of the mechaincal/performance side of the car first. To many people spend the money on the cosmetics but if the car doesn't run, waste of money. Go thru the suspension and brakes first and make sure it's a safe and reliable vehicle. Motor, tranny, drivetrain next, then address the cosmetics.

IMHO
Good Luck

Mark

 

If painting will not be done in the near future and you want to use the car, you might as well do the interior so that you can enjoy it now. But, if paint is not that far down the road, leave the interior till the last item on your list. All the paint overspray, etc. can be a mess to clean up...even if you try to mask everything off.

As a strategy to move forward, always put a detailed (and written down) plan together which lists what will be done. Consider what parts will have to be removed/replaced, and decide what will be done with them [just cleaned, cleaned & painted, repaired, replaced...]. Then list all of the materials you will need [cleaning fluids, paints, parts, nuts/bolts/washers]. With that info in hand, go about ordering and procuring all of that stuff and having it ready to go. You can't imagine the downtime you will eliminate by doing this; and that time translates to time you will get to use the car!

P.S. Cleaning and painting of parts absorbs a large portion of the repair time. Plan for it by buying or making a parts washer and rigging up some area where you can do painting [with adequate ventilation].

 

ebay.