New guy here.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 4
From: Knoxville Ia
New guy here.
First time posting on here, but have been lurking on this site for a while now. My father and I purchased an 82 corvette, for a father, son project. Long story short, we tore a lot of it down, but he got diagnosed with cancer, with anywhere from 6 months to 2 years left. I am trying to get it in drivable condition, so that way he can enjoy it for however long. the doors on the car were shot, so I picked up a set of "77-78" doors. after getting the doors painted, I am curently putting all the internal things back in them. But I have noticed, that my 82 doors, have random holes here and there, and the wire grommet that goes from the body to the door is different on the new doors. I am just wanting to make sure that everything will go back together the same and still work like it should. Ive already had to make new holes in the "77-78" doors, but I am i wasting my time? Or should i find a different set of doors? Any help is greatly appricaited, thank you!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,977
Likes: 3,364
From: NYC NY
I can't answer your question about the doors but I want to welcome you to the site and wish your father well in the fight for his life. Cancer is not always a death sentence and sometimes the doctors are wrong. Enjoy the quality time you spend with your father. Good luck with your project.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Wish I could answer your questions but there are much more knowledgable people here that I am sure will. Just wanted to wish your father well and hope that he gets a lot of joy from what you are doing. Positive spirits are so important and you will be helping him feel better with this project. Prayers out to you and your father.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Hindsight is a beautiful thing, but you should have fitted those doors before you painted. The doors should fit, but you might have to do some modifying to suit each item. If you check your suppliers catalogues, you will see some of the differences you are about to discover.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 82
Likes: 3
From: Tupelo Mississippi
Sorry to here about your father I agree that cancer is not always a death sentence. Hang in there and get some good help. Speaking of help let us know where you live and maybe someone is close enough to come help get the vette on the road. Lot of good members on the forum God bless Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 10
From: Somerdale NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17-‘18
I can't answer the question about the doors, but I want to let you know that I agree that cancer is not always a death sentence and our thoughts and prayers are with your father and your family. Where there is live there is hope, get the best doctors and advice available and don't give up hope.
It's a good idea to let us know where you are from, some of us may be able to help you with the car.
It's a good idea to let us know where you are from, some of us may be able to help you with the car.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: PA
Your father won't know if the doors are perfect. And maybe not care. Get that car on the road NOW and deal with the issues later. The memories you will create will eclipse anything that car could throw at you. My dad died when I was working on my first hot rod project. He never saw it on the road. I regret that more than most other things I would have done different. jMO.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What year are your replacement doors? 77 doors will fit, but door panels, opening hardware, handles etc are all different than the 82.
78 doors should work.
Purchase the 82 assembly instruction manual (AIM). It will help.
78 doors should work.
Purchase the 82 assembly instruction manual (AIM). It will help.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
My dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer that went though the walls of his stomach and into the lypmh nodes. He was given a 20% chance of surviving 2 years. That was in 1998, and he still enjoys a ride in the vette and has been cancer free year after year. The chemo and radiation will kick his a**. He will not feel like getting out to the garage some days. But push him, ask him questions, let him know he's needed. His will to live (and I'm not only talking about the vette here) is his most powerful weapon against this disease. Best wishes.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 104
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Wish I could answer your questions but there are much more knowledgable people here that I am sure will. Just wanted to wish your father well and hope that he gets a lot of joy from what you are doing. Positive spirits are so important and you will be helping him feel better with this project. Prayers out to you and your father.
all the best wishes to you and your dad.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 4
From: Knoxville Ia
doors
Thank you all for the kind words, its been an up and down year, but always thinking positive, the door issue is worked out for the most part, just trying to get this thing on the road, so he can have some enjoyment out of it. This car is very confusing for me, I was a Honda tech, at a dealership not too far away, and import cars is basically all I know. Can any of you point me in a good direction for books or anything with the history of these cars? I find myself wanting to learn as much as I can about them. These cars are very addicting haha.