Failed Restorations
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
I know myself well enough to know that if I were to take the body off the frame there was a slim chance it would ever return. (perhaps 70%)
I decided early on to leave the car "together" while I worked on it. I am happy with my choice and it still took me 6 years. My car never had a chance to be original again.
I decided early on to leave the car "together" while I worked on it. I am happy with my choice and it still took me 6 years. My car never had a chance to be original again.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
LOL! Ya, I didnt post for like a year! Didnt get much done on the car either so I didnt have an excuse.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...restarted.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
it went into gear and I took it out for my first official drive EVER. 
Granted it was just down the block and I drove it very gingerly, but I drove it and that's what mattered.
I've posted a video here of the not-quite official first start. I've still got a ways to go and fluid leaks to attend to, but yesterday was a critical moment in my restoration.
Here's the video: first start of my 71.
Jeff
Granted it was just down the block and I drove it very gingerly, but I drove it and that's what mattered.I've posted a video here of the not-quite official first start. I've still got a ways to go and fluid leaks to attend to, but yesterday was a critical moment in my restoration.
Here's the video: first start of my 71.
Jeff
Funny thing. My car looked like your car for months (but remained drivable). One day, I drove it and parked at a mall. While shopping I received a phone call from the police asking if my car was stolen. Someone reported finding a stripped car in the parking lot. The police officer just laughed when I said it always looked like that. Then we had a 10 minute conversation about Corvettes and my progress.
Keep it up
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 495
Likes: 5
From: Lexington KY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 8,032
Likes: 20
From: Schaumburg, Il, USA IL
I would imagine most projects don't get back together in one working piece. I've seen friends lose interest in projects much smaller than a frame off.
I picked up my restoration candidate 10 years ago (seems like yesterday) but still haven't worked on it. Between marriage, saving for a house, kids, coaching baseball, etc... I may get to it one day. My biggest concern is getting knee deep and running out of money, so I'm also saving my money. I was getting close to diving in and then the economy went south. Now I worry about my job and paying for the kids and their interests. One day maybe! In the meantime, my project waits, as it did from the previous owner, who failed to get her on the road. She last rolled in 1978! I purchased her in 2000.
As an aside, I did get it running two years ago, albeit briefly. Carb is shot.
I picked up my restoration candidate 10 years ago (seems like yesterday) but still haven't worked on it. Between marriage, saving for a house, kids, coaching baseball, etc... I may get to it one day. My biggest concern is getting knee deep and running out of money, so I'm also saving my money. I was getting close to diving in and then the economy went south. Now I worry about my job and paying for the kids and their interests. One day maybe! In the meantime, my project waits, as it did from the previous owner, who failed to get her on the road. She last rolled in 1978! I purchased her in 2000.
As an aside, I did get it running two years ago, albeit briefly. Carb is shot.
Last edited by Top_Notch; Jan 1, 2012 at 01:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 32
From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 8,032
Likes: 20
From: Schaumburg, Il, USA IL
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Eaton Ohio
A full suspension rebuild and brakes would cost about $2,500 ... just wait for 4th of july and ecklers should have out a 10-20% off coupon.. go to their site and sign up for their newsletter.
Then about 3 full days (8hs each) of work to get it all done!
Then drive to your hearts content... heck it could be in blotchy primer and you would still get the thrill, thumbs up!
and of course the wave from fellow vette drivers
Last edited by bryanpl123; Jun 21, 2011 at 11:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Am always on the lookout for an 80-82 model with a failed resto. Got one you don't wanna finish????? send me an email or pm. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 8,032
Likes: 20
From: Schaumburg, Il, USA IL
Second generation Corvettes produced during mid-year. i.e. Corvettes produced from 1963-1967 or the C2/Second Generation Corvettes.
I always though it was because the first and third (and forth) generation production spanned the decade but could be wrong. I've wandered into the wrong forum...but I appreciate the work the C3 guys do. Much of what the C3 guys do applies to the second generation cars so I browse here to learn as sometimes C2 forum is a little slow.
Last edited by Top_Notch; Jun 21, 2011 at 02:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
I'd love to own your C2. It is a convertible too with a hardtop.
Unlike a C3 you will get back what you put into it... and then some.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
Second generation Corvettes produced during mid-year. i.e. Corvettes produced from 1963-1967 or the C2/Second Generation Corvettes.
I always though it was because the first and third (and forth) generation production spanned the decade but could be wrong. I've wandered into the wrong forum...but I appreciate the work the C3 guys do. Much of what the C3 guys do applies to the second generation cars so I browse here to learn as sometimes C2 forum is a little slow.
I always though it was because the first and third (and forth) generation production spanned the decade but could be wrong. I've wandered into the wrong forum...but I appreciate the work the C3 guys do. Much of what the C3 guys do applies to the second generation cars so I browse here to learn as sometimes C2 forum is a little slow.
Steve g
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
When I got my car it was in boxes and the victim of at least three attempted restorations. I was less than four months into my project when it almost fell victim again. It was not from lack of enthusiasm or interest but rather something totally unexpected. Our youngest son became critically ill and was hospitalized for over two months my priorities and mind were elsewhere. Not only did I not have the time but all the money that I had planned to restore the car with went toward medical expenses. As they say sometimes life throws you a curve. My son has recovered and is doing well. I got back to work on my project although things are at a slower pace than I first had planned it is still moving forward.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 7
From: CA
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Second generation Corvettes produced during mid-year. i.e. Corvettes produced from 1963-1967 or the C2/Second Generation Corvettes.
I always though it was because the first and third (and forth) generation production spanned the decade but could be wrong. I've wandered into the wrong forum...but I appreciate the work the C3 guys do. Much of what the C3 guys do applies to the second generation cars so I browse here to learn as sometimes C2 forum is a little slow.
I always though it was because the first and third (and forth) generation production spanned the decade but could be wrong. I've wandered into the wrong forum...but I appreciate the work the C3 guys do. Much of what the C3 guys do applies to the second generation cars so I browse here to learn as sometimes C2 forum is a little slow.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
I guess you reached your deadline. Enjoy your new C3. Drive it!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 691
Likes: 1
From: gilboa ny
I guess you could call the car I just bought a failed resto. Guy got all the way to rolling chassis with Engine trans and rear and every detail of the suspension rebuilt . everything mechanical done. then a career change ended the project. Now its mine. Came with ZL1 fender flares,I might not have had the ***** to cut up the body like he did to put in the flares but its cut so theres no going back. Im thinking its going to be about 2 years and low side $5k to complete.
Tried to get my wife to talk me out of it. She said "If you get one you know you are going to end up with it apart so one thats more than 1/2 back together is probably a good idea." lol shes known me 30+ years and it shows.
Tried to get my wife to talk me out of it. She said "If you get one you know you are going to end up with it apart so one thats more than 1/2 back together is probably a good idea." lol shes known me 30+ years and it shows.