Hello All ~

I've been lurking for a few days and found your site very informative. Hopefully I can contribute along the way.

My story...

I have a 72 Convertible, Ontario Orange w/Hardtop
Deluxe Dark Saddle Interior
350 Base Engine, 4 speed (matching numbers), No air.
67,000 Miles (original miles as far as I can tell, but can't really prove it)

I found this car hidden behind a used car dealership and bought it back back in 1981. It needed a little mechanical TLC but otherwise was an excellent running car. I drove it for about 5 years and put about 10,000 or so miles on it. Then I got a wild hair and decided to build an LS6 big block. Did that and quickly discovered that if I left the big block in it I'd completely destroy the car. So, I took it out, put the original small block back in it and stripped the cheesy candy paint job on it(murals and all - YUK) and was preparing to paint the car. Well, life hit... At the time I was building a new house and having kids. The Corvette went into storage and was most definitely on the back burner in my life at that time.

Fast forward 20+ years. My wife has been pestering the mess out of me for a "fun" car. We've looked at convertibles but neither one of us wanted to shell out the money it'd take to have that kind of toy. Then she says the other option is to "fix the Corvette." A good friend and neighbor who has restored many cars of all kinds just so happended to be in the market for a big block. And, I had one neatly bagged and tucked away in the corner of my garage. We struck a deal! The big block was his if he'd help me restore the ole girl. Both of us were happy.

So, four weeks ago today, we pushed it down the street to his shop, which, by the way, has a wonderful lift and all the room and tools we'd need to do the job. The first order of business was to check out the engine. Mind you, the car had been stored inside, but it had been over 20 years since the 350 had run. So, we did everything necessary to ensure a safe start-up (oil, flush gas tank and lines, fresh gas w/seafoam, plugs, wires, points, condenser, etc.) and VERY much to my surprise, she fired right up and ran as though she'd never been shut off. I expected to at least have to rebuild the Rodchester, but NO, she ran...and ran smooth! Of course the brakes need major attention and the exhaust pipes weren't hooked up so I couldn't drive her, but WOW - - - maybe I dodged a bullet?? We'll see...

That was exactly one week after I aired up the tires and pushed her to the garage. Since then, we've had to do a little carb work b/c of some trash, but still no rebuild has been necessary. I've also installed an all new brake system since then. She runs and drives, but rolls kinda bouncy. I guess letting the tires go flat and sitting there for years does something to them.

I've ordered an all new exhaust system, many new interior pieces and the list is growing. Meanwhile we've begun the body work. It's been pretty straight forward with very little fiberglass work needed. Mostly sanding and priming and sanding and priming and sanding and glazing and sanding...you get the idea. It's going very well and we're about 3/4of the way ready for paint. Gonna go back with the original colors and keep her stock. All told so far, I've spent about three grand with probably another three to go to get her presentable and dependable. After that I'll do little things along the way.

I'm very much enjoying the refurbishing...it's theraputic. I'd forgotten just how much I loved working on these cars. Used to do it on the side when I was waaaaaay younger.

Got lots of photos and I'll get some up soon hopefully if I can figure out how to do it.

I'd appreciate any advice y'all can give. While my car is not a highly optioned car (except maybe that it's a convertible with the factory hardtop - dunno), I've learned that these chrome bumper C3's are pretty desirable these days. Not long ago I didn't think the car was worth very much. Anyone have any clue as to what this car might be worth when finished? Anyone ballpark a figure for me?

Sorry for the long post, but I appreciate the opportunity to participate and look forward to it... BTW, I've looked in the gallery and y'all sure have some nice cars!

Thanks,
dw

 

nice story DW...I find photobucket to be the easiest way to post pictures here or any forum..create an account upload pictures and just link them here.

 

Welcome.

 

Congrats on your new to you again 72 convertible!

I also have a 72 convertible. I think you are getting a GREAT deal on restoring this car.

Is the SB the original 'numbers matching' engine, if so, a lot of value comes from that, and the fact that you are painting it the original color also helps.

Even in this weak market, after you are done, I would think you should be able to get somewhere between $22k-$27k with $25k being a fair guestimate.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures! I agree with Kaple, create a free photobucket account, upload the pictures (photobucket makes that easy), after uploadinging look for the 'share' tag, clicking on that should give you the 'IMG' code that you can copy and paste into your posts.

 

Yes, the sb is the original matching number engine along with everything else as far as I can tell.

I'll try photobucket. Thanks!

 

http://s1176.photobucket.com/albums/...w&t=1289932828

See if I did this photobucket thing correctly.

 

Hi DD,
An interesting story!
It'll be big fun to see your pictures.
You ask about it's value... I believe the more original parts (the ones it left St. Louis with) that are on the car, the better.
Many reproduction parts like interior hard and soft trim pieces, and bumpers for example, are not all they could or should be.
Lastly, save EVERYTHING you take off the car if you think it's an original part.
Regards,
Alan

Hi D,
You posted the link while I was typing.
It looks like you have a nice solid project. I think being a 4 speed, convertible makes this a pretty desirable car.

 

Yeah, I ain't throwin' anything away. The original door panels are in sad shape though, but I suppose someone with some skill could refurbish them. I just bought new ones from Corvette America. Hope they are as good as they look.

I've got the original bumpers. They're in good shape but need rechroming. Checked today and the price tag for that is................$1,000. Pretty scary, but I'll bite the bullet I guess since US made repros aren't any cheaper. That is, unless y'all know of a source.

 

you need to copy paste the img code that is the 4th in the share box

 

Excellent story! And the pictures came up fine.
Boy does she have tons of potential.
I think you and your wife made the right decision to fix her up.
Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

Sorry, but I'm computer retarted. Don't understand your instruction.

 

Thanks so much! She really is a solid car. There is NO evidence that it's ever been hit or damaged. The rust you see is only very minor surface rust easily brushed off. One reason I think the car is low mileage is that the rear rotors have never been taken off and they're still in excellent condition.

 

lets see..when the mouse is on any of those pictures you will see a little box open´s below the picture..you have there different ways to share..email, direct link, html code and img code..tthe last one or img code is the one you need..copy and paste it here in the reply and thats it

 

Like this?

 

certainly worked for me. great project and an even better story since you know the history of this "barn find", lol. since it didn't need a major overhaul as far as replacement parts, keeping it "original" is the best way to go. if you get away for the 6 grand you mentioned, you'll have a wonderful "new" ride to enjoy and a really reasonable cost. i'm in way over that with my "project" (don't tell my wife, lol), but i'm not building it to sell it, i'm building it to enjoy it and hopefully pass it along at some point (like you i'm no spring chicken, lol. but age is a state of mind anyway!). don't hesitate to ask for help should you need it here, there are plenty of really knowledgeable folks here who are only too happy to help out. it would be great to see the pictures as the project progresses!

welcome to the forum!!

 

Thanks so much. I'm not rebuilding to sell. I plan on having some fun with it and putting some miles on it for some weekend fun!

 

Welcome to the forum Deacon Don, have fun restoring and post lots of pics of the progress. good luck and have some fun, everybody is here to help.

 

Keep the original bumpers and rechrome them.
Repros, especially the front, don't fit well. There's been many threads about this.
You have a great project which is progressing nicely. Keep us posted and keep the pics coming!
Glenn

 

Thanks so much to all of you for the warm welcome. I'll post more photos along the way.

I'm going to have my wheels powder coated when it's time and I'll need to get some new beauty rings. One of the factory beauty rings is damaged and the others are dimpled a little, so I thought I'd replace them. The original center caps are in excellent condition and I'll be reusing them. Currently the car has GR60/15 tires and I want to stay with the 60 series tire. I think it fills out the wheel well nicely. What is the correct metric size I need to look for? Does anyone know?

 

225-70-15 if i´m correct