What will you do different next time?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: El Dorado Hills California
What will you do different next time?
Having about 2 1/2 years into a frame off, I have a number of things that I would do different next time. I think others have had the same thoughts.
Lets share those ideas.
I'll start;
#1~I'm doing a '74 this time but I should have started with a chrome bumpered car.
#2~Car had 3 coats of paint. I should have stripped it to bare 'glass.
What would you do different next time?
Blain
Lets share those ideas.
I'll start;
#1~I'm doing a '74 this time but I should have started with a chrome bumpered car.
#2~Car had 3 coats of paint. I should have stripped it to bare 'glass.
What would you do different next time?
Blain
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
I would taken all the larger miscellaneous parts such as control arms, relay rod, bumper brackets, axles, vacuum reservoir, etc to the powder coater for stripping and painting rather than doing it in my blast cabinet and rattle can epoxy. Would have saved a lot of time and doesn't cost that much in the overall picture.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
I'd save about half the money I spent and buy one already restored
2nd thought in doing mine would have been to go with a new frame with C5 suspension,brakes etc instead of dorking around with a used 37 year old frame.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,966
Likes: 6,196
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Rule #1: Buy as much car as you can afford.
I would try to remember that parts on a car that are "OK for now" are NO different than trashed parts once you start restoring stuff. Might change my estimates for work to be done.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: Lewisville TX
I would have waited, and not bought a basket case car!
But.. then again, I have learned a LOT about Vettes busting knuckles, loosing skin & bleeding working on my baby!
Still have a long way to go, but I have her on the road!
Now.. rebuilding the front suspension - That is a PITA job!
But.. then again, I have learned a LOT about Vettes busting knuckles, loosing skin & bleeding working on my baby!
Still have a long way to go, but I have her on the road!
Now.. rebuilding the front suspension - That is a PITA job!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
I plan on keeping mine, so the cost I chalk up to a long term hobby, but I'd probably go for more power from the get-go.
For the money I have put into the car, I could have a NEW C6 Z06, and I'm not kidding...
But hey, it IS a chrome bumper C3, and that's cool I guess!
For the money I have put into the car, I could have a NEW C6 Z06, and I'm not kidding...
But hey, it IS a chrome bumper C3, and that's cool I guess!
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Differently?
Get a bigger wad of cash that would:
1. upgrade garage insulation for tighter environment
2. refinish concrete floor
3. install a natural gas shop heater
4. route water & drain
5. install 2-post lift
6. have more fun bleeding & healing
The rest are just details.
Get a bigger wad of cash that would:
1. upgrade garage insulation for tighter environment
2. refinish concrete floor
3. install a natural gas shop heater
4. route water & drain
5. install 2-post lift
6. have more fun bleeding & healing
The rest are just details.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Would have kept my '70 ZR1, had I known what I had at the time. 
Also, I'm pretty much in the same boat with MakoShark72. My SA isn't going anywhere, as I've also put enough in it over the years to have bought a C6/Z06, only it hasn't chrome bumpers. I have to remind myself that I've got better aero than an early C3 and will (again) have more power than the Z.
But, one thing about which I've never had a second thought is my not worrying about my SA having matching numbers. Very liberating being able to do whatever (within budgetary constraints) you'd like...
Also, I'm pretty much in the same boat with MakoShark72. My SA isn't going anywhere, as I've also put enough in it over the years to have bought a C6/Z06, only it hasn't chrome bumpers. I have to remind myself that I've got better aero than an early C3 and will (again) have more power than the Z.
But, one thing about which I've never had a second thought is my not worrying about my SA having matching numbers. Very liberating being able to do whatever (within budgetary constraints) you'd like...