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Just bought my first Corvette project

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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:19 PM
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Default Just bought my first Corvette project

Hi Guys, great site, been lurking around here for a few weeks as I've been thinking about buying a Corvette lately. I always wanted a C3 style Corvette to add to my collection.

I really don't need another project right now as I have quite a few on the go. After looking around this site I got hooked and decided to look for a car.

So I posted an ad on the local web classifieds " wanted to buy a corvette" only to get a call from a guy later that day. Turns out he was at work and happened to mention to a co-worker that afternoon, he had decided to clean out his garage and sell the Corvette. The co-worker had been surfing the web classifieds during his lunch hour and had seen my ad. So he printed my ad off and gave it to the owner.

The car was a red 1977 Corvette L48 auto, been sitting in his garage for over 10 years, it was a daily driver the previous 5 years. He wanted $2000.00 for it as is, so I went over and looked at it that night.

It was hard to see the car as it was partially buried and in a tight spot. I didn't know much about these cars so I left to do some homework.

After some thought I called him back the next day and offered him $1200.00 as I really didn't know what condition the car and expected it to be a worst case scenario.

He accepted my offer over the phone and we made arrangements to pick it up in a few days. I told him I could get a deck truck, but he says just bring your trailer as you can drive it on yourself !! I was a bit shocked that it actually ran. he than tells me it runs and drives fine, that the engine is tired and the brakes are in need of work again.

So the next few days I was a bit nervous that he may back out of the deal and change his mind, or that someone else may find out about the car and buy it.

The day I pick it up the car is sitting outside and ready to go, he hands me a box of parts, new t top, door, window seals, new sun visors, new front bra, and misc. including a car cover.

I loaded the car with no problems, ran and drove as he said. I quickly looked over the frame for rust issues and damage, it looks solid so I paid him and left

After a close inspection at home the car has the original engine and trans, new OEM core support, he gave me the old one (had some rust in the lower support) the original color was tan and the body has been damaged in the front at some point as the bonding adhesive has let go in a few areas.

will post some photo's

Thanks Jim
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:26 PM
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I hate you... Nice score. Of course we will be awaiting pictures before any of this story is to be certified as true.
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:26 PM
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Cool, Congrats!

And the pictures?
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:28 PM
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Trying to figure out how to post the photo's ? Any help Thanks
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:36 PM
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Here you go:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...tep-guide.html

Rogman
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:39 PM
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Welcome, here's a link about posting pic's.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...tep-guide.html
Enjoy your new Vette!
Regards, Pete.
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:43 PM
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Welcome to the asylum.
Nice score on the vette!
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:57 PM
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Hope this works, first photo's are at the owners house. Following photo's after the car is home in our storage building.





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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:57 PM
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Agreed I hate you!

Lucky son of


Hey man if you can get it on happy for you
Congrats on the buy an as always first rule of the forum never start a thread without pics
where are you from anyway like to know where to look for my next running c3 for $1200!!
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 03:59 PM
  #10  
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Thanks guys for the help posting...







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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 04:03 PM
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Jesus!!!!! I know guys on here that would have paid the $1200 just to get the steering wheel bezel. Nice job.....welcome!!!
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 04:35 PM
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Awesome deal!

I have to ask though because of the name - what year Dart? 68?

My wide wanted something with a back seat, so I ended up getting her a 65, 270 convertible. That's going to be my project for the summer.
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 04:43 PM
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Very nice find. A little body work, some interior and drive it. I'd replace the gas and oil before running it much.
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 04:54 PM
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Hi, yes it is a 1968 Dart, it will be a clone hemi car, with cut rear wheel wells and all, only with a new gen hemi. I got it stripped down to the shell now, have a Art Morrison back half kit, 12 point cage, 33x19.50x15 Mickeys on Prostar's , year correct dana 60, had a 5.7 hemi for it, but sold it for a future 6.1 Just kicked it out of the shop as I needed room for the DeVilbiss paint booth install. Hope to get back at it by next winter, the Vette will take it's place now.
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 05:48 PM
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WOW! You scored big time!
I have the same wheels, I left them rough cast for a long time.


Then I had them powder coated.


Is that the rare shiny horn button?
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 06:07 PM
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Well done! and welcome to the game.
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 06:21 PM
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Awesome deal, welcome to the machine!
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 10:30 PM
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Welcome and CONGRATS on your fantastic find, one that most of us just dream about. CONGRATS again on the C3 madness
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Old Mar 9, 2012 | 10:38 PM
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Man, what a deal! I could get just about get a new set of side pipes and 4 tires for $1200.

Have fun with your restoration and cruising.
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Old Mar 10, 2012 | 07:16 AM
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What a deal for $1200!!!
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