I'm 63 & have always been into MG's...in fact, I have 20 of them in my garage along with a 380SL. I've always looked at Corvettes out of the corner of my eye thinking I would like to own one but never took the plunge.

Well, a couple of days ago I bumped into a '77 L82 with a bad motor, some fiberglass damage but a great interior. Don't know its complete history but it was last on the road in '97 & has been sitting inside a shop since then.

I had my bodyman check it out (he works on lots of 'vettes) & he proclaimed it restorable - frame, birdcage, floors show no rust; it'll need a new front bumper. Right now, I'm stripping all the crappy red paint that somebody put on it 20 or more years ago - taking it down to their crappy primer; then, he's gonna take it down to the original paintwork, repair all the fiberglass damage & clean up/paint the engine compartment.

Then, I want to use my 350 trans (after going through it) and an '86 Corvette TPI engine a friend of mine has had sitting in his shop for awhile....it has everything that was attached to it in the car along with the its wiring harness & computer.

So, I need to figure out who can take the TPI wiring harness & transmission & convert it to work in my '77.

And am looking forward to learning about Corvettes in general.

 

First, welcome to a great forum! 20 MGs? That's insane!
Well, it sounds like you have a plan for the 77. They were terribly anemic, and a repower sounds like a good idea. I can't help you with the computer question, but I am sure someone here will be able to help. You also need to post that question in the tech/performance forum to get the best response. We are creatures of habit, and many do not look into other discussion groups.. These are some great people on the CF, and any question can be answered. We like pictures, so post away. There are plenty of posts on how to post them, too.

 

My first question was answered & I now know how to go about making the '86 TPI engine work in my '77...

But, first, here are photos of it the day I bought it before I get to my progress:









...and today (8 days later)...most of the crappy red paint is gone; the interior is almost out; the engine compartment is beginning to clean up; & I've ordered the fiberglass body panels I think we're going to need:

 

dang that thing looks sorry. glad you're going to put another c3 back on the road . can't help you with your question but plenty of guys here will be able to. welcome to CF

 

Ed - it does look sorry, doesn't it?

But, I never buy another man's new restoration...I'd rather make the mistakes & know where they are than wonder....if you know what I mean.

 

ya' mean you don't like bubba to do your restoration with duct tape and bubble gum then charge you $40,000 for a freshly painted beater???

 

WOW it looks better just by taking that paint off. Looking forward to seeing it finished. Keep the pics coming and keep us all posted on how it's going. Welcome to the forum!

 

So how much did you pay for it?
its a shame somebody would let a corvette get in such bad condition

 

Actually, it has some good points...the birdcage is solid as is the frame; the interior is nice & will only need cleaning & new carpet; the original 'hub caps' are there & in great shape as are all the emblems & lights; underneath, the suspension has mostly new bushings (20+ year old new parts) & new rear resonators (also 20+ years old, but new) and the Turbo 350 trans looks like it'll just need refreshing....& I only paid $1,000 for it.

 

You got a good start right out of the gate!
Once you have it all back together and experience the vette power and allure, you'll wonder why you have all those MG's!
Seriously, keep us posted on your progress.
BTW- you should get the AIM-(Assembly Instruction Manual), which was used on the assembly line by the workers, and the Chassis service manual. Both worth their weight in gold. Most of the big vendors sell them.
Glenn

 

$1000?? man I wish I could find one of those. good job! now get to work

 

I've got the AIM ordered, Glenn & am looking for the Chassis Service Manual......But, in keeping with my MG fetish, I'm thinking seriously about painting it 1979 MGB Vermillion Red, like my '79:

 

Nice start, should be a nice runner when done. Have you considered an LT1 instead of the L98 engine? I know you have one available, but the LT1 may be a better choice if you're going through that much of a retrofit, why not step up?.

Just my 2 cents................

 

The TPI engine is a great choice, but I suggest finding a 700R-4 to go with it, the computer will like it better, and you will get better gas mileage.

Steve

 

And what modifications will I have to make to the car so the 700R-4 fits?

 

Nice grab for $1000. Im hoping to get another project like this later in life lol. have to finish my current project right now...

 

'K - so, now that I've removed all the front bumper stuff & got all the DPO's paint off the car, I'm finding some earlier accident repairs to the fiberglass that weren't done correctly (even I know you don't put a 1/2" of bondo over fiberglass!)......I want to remove the 'front clip' (don't know what you Corvette guys call it) so I can have the frame checked out before I start doing any repairs.

Here's my stupid question...I've been looking at my assembly manual & can see how everything went together & can see how to get everything apart - but, how do you break the various bonds holding the fiberglass to the car without damaging the good fiberglass?

Oh, I'm trying to do everything I can before taking the car to the various shops (frame shop, body shop, etc.) for repairs to save a few bucks & to learn about the car since that was the real reason to buy this hulk!

 

Removed the front clip & took it to a frame shop so they could pull the frame straight....got it back Friday & dropped it at a friend's bodyshop.

Today, my goal was to separate the body from the chassis....& I did - all of it myself except for the lifting....here are some photos:







Degreased & pressure washed the chassis after I took the photos....tomorrow, I'll remove the exhaust & wheels & lift it into his sandblast building where he'll sandblast everything so I can bring the rolling chassis home to rebuild the suspension/brakes & install my '86 Corvette TPI engine & 700R4 transmission......I feel good about what I've accomplished so far.

 

Tony,

Welcome to the Forum!! Congrats on your 77 Corvette acquisition. Wow, you certainly took on a big project for your first Vette!

Any doubts that I had about your being up to the task were quickly squelched when I went to your website, www.theautoist.com. It is an absolute hoot! You are certainly a talented guy.

It brings back memories of some friends who had MG's in the late 60's. Keep us posted on your 77 progress.

Rickman

 

Thanks, Rickman...I can't buy a car without totally disassembling it to see what's what.

Oh, I'm building a driver with this car, not a show car or trailer queen!