HELP... girl here! lol
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: Concord North Carolina
HELP... girl here! lol
My Daddy passed away and left me with a 1975 Corvette... She needs lots of work! She runs, drives(not sure how good yet) her insides were stripped out and I have a mess on my hands... What do I do FIRST!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 39
From: Denver, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Depends overall on your goals. Welcome to the Corvette world!
If you want to drive it, first thing you want to do is make sure that she can stop. If you dont, you might wind up through your house or through a tree..
After that, a decent tune up MAY be in order: spark plugs, change air filter, change oil, and maybe tranny fluid as well. This kind of depends on whether your dad was driving it and taking care of it prior to his passing. Same goes for the brakes.
Then get to the cosmetic stuff like the interior and paint.
If you want to drive it, first thing you want to do is make sure that she can stop. If you dont, you might wind up through your house or through a tree..
After that, a decent tune up MAY be in order: spark plugs, change air filter, change oil, and maybe tranny fluid as well. This kind of depends on whether your dad was driving it and taking care of it prior to his passing. Same goes for the brakes.
Then get to the cosmetic stuff like the interior and paint.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
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I believe in the Beer Fairy
I suppose find out how good it actually runs/drives and go from there. Also posting your location will help with others giving you suggestions on places you may need to go for specific things or people who can help you.
Pics of car?
Pics of car?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: Concord North Carolina
I'm new to all of this... I'm located just outside of Charlotte NC (CONCORD to be exact) .. as soon I figure out how to post pics I will.. 
I guess I just need to find someone to check her out mechanically first, huh... I know that makes sence. I just wanted to get started on cleaning it up. I mean seriously the seats aren't bolted down dash and all are out in pieces and I know I will have to replace some of it. Im just lost, ha!
I guess I just need to find someone to check her out mechanically first, huh... I know that makes sence. I just wanted to get started on cleaning it up. I mean seriously the seats aren't bolted down dash and all are out in pieces and I know I will have to replace some of it. Im just lost, ha!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
There are lots of us in your area! https://www.facebook.com/groups/271853859556480/
I am not the best to check out the mechanicals but I could get you started.
I am not the best to check out the mechanicals but I could get you started.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,266
Likes: 4,355
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi is,
Welcome!
It's fortunate that you found CF because there are some folks here that can give you some help and advice as you become familiar with your car and begin to enjoy it.
If you're going to be doing some of the work on your car may I suggest that you consider buying 2 books. First, the 1975 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL (AIM); it was used on the production line in St. Louis where your car was built, and second, the GM 1975 CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL; it was used by the service people at the dealerships. They both will be a big help to you, and whoever else may be working on your car. They are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders listed on this site.
It would be great to see some pictures! It's quite easy to do. Upload your pictures to a site like Photobucket, then copy the IMG code under the picture or pictures you want to post and paste the IMG code(s) in the body of your post or after it. You'll see just the code until you click on Preview Post, and we'll see the picture when you click Submit Reply.
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
It's fortunate that you found CF because there are some folks here that can give you some help and advice as you become familiar with your car and begin to enjoy it.
If you're going to be doing some of the work on your car may I suggest that you consider buying 2 books. First, the 1975 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL (AIM); it was used on the production line in St. Louis where your car was built, and second, the GM 1975 CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL; it was used by the service people at the dealerships. They both will be a big help to you, and whoever else may be working on your car. They are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders listed on this site.
It would be great to see some pictures! It's quite easy to do. Upload your pictures to a site like Photobucket, then copy the IMG code under the picture or pictures you want to post and paste the IMG code(s) in the body of your post or after it. You'll see just the code until you click on Preview Post, and we'll see the picture when you click Submit Reply.
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
Hi is,
Welcome!
It's fortunate that you found CF because there are some folks here that can give you some help and advice as you become familiar with your car and begin to enjoy it.
If you're going to be doing some of the work on your car may I suggest that you consider buying 2 books. First, the 1975 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL (AIM); it was used on the production line in St. Louis where your car was built, and second, the GM 1975 CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL; it was used by the service people at the dealerships. They both will be a big help to you, and whoever else may be working on your car. They are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders listed on this site.
It would be great to see some pictures! It's quite easy to do. Upload your pictures to a site like Photobucket, then copy the IMG code under the picture or pictures you want to post and paste the IMG code(s) in the body of your post or after it. You'll see just the code until you click on Preview Post, and we'll see the picture when you click Submit Reply.
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
It's fortunate that you found CF because there are some folks here that can give you some help and advice as you become familiar with your car and begin to enjoy it.
If you're going to be doing some of the work on your car may I suggest that you consider buying 2 books. First, the 1975 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL (AIM); it was used on the production line in St. Louis where your car was built, and second, the GM 1975 CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL; it was used by the service people at the dealerships. They both will be a big help to you, and whoever else may be working on your car. They are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders listed on this site.
It would be great to see some pictures! It's quite easy to do. Upload your pictures to a site like Photobucket, then copy the IMG code under the picture or pictures you want to post and paste the IMG code(s) in the body of your post or after it. You'll see just the code until you click on Preview Post, and we'll see the picture when you click Submit Reply.
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
Even if you don't plan on doing ANY of the work on your car, get the books Alan suggested. If nothing else, they will educate you on the car, and that is a good thing.
Make it stop.
Make it go.
Make it go reliably.
Make it go faster.
Make it pretty.
This should be your order of operations.
Carter
Make it stop.
Make it go.
Make it go reliably.
Make it go faster.
Make it pretty.
This should be your order of operations.
Carter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Even if you don't plan on doing ANY of the work on your car, get the books Alan suggested. If nothing else, they will educate you on the car, and that is a good thing.
Make it stop.
Make it go.
Make it go reliably.
Make it go faster.
Make it pretty.
This should be your order of operations.
Carter
Make it stop.
Make it go.
Make it go reliably.
Make it go faster.
Make it pretty.
This should be your order of operations.
Carter
Well said Carter.Adam
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Even if you don't plan on doing ANY of the work on your car, get the books Alan suggested. If nothing else, they will educate you on the car, and that is a good thing.
Make it stop.
Make it go.
Make it go reliably.
Make it go faster.
Make it pretty.
This should be your order of operations.
Carter
Make it stop.
Make it go.
Make it go reliably.
Make it go faster.
Make it pretty.
This should be your order of operations.
Carter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
No-one touches our hearts more than our parents. Sorry to hear your Dad passed! 
You should give us a bit of information about your Dad and the status of his involvement with the car. Was he doing all the work himself? Sounds like he may have been doing a complete interior rebuild and if he had the dash pulled out he must have had reasons for that depth of work.
Is it your plan to do the work yourself or direct others to do it. No offence to you but do you have the mechanical ability to carry this out. Just would prefer to see you not throw a bundle of money into something that won't materialize.
You can do all the work yourself with the assistance of the knowledgeable members on this forum. You just need to have a cautiously optimistic approach. Now is the time to learn how to post pictures. Post lots of them giving us an overall look at the car. Try to get pictures of the metal frame wherever possible. You can clean almost anything and paint to make it look new; but if the frame is rotted out due to rust you may be fighting a can't win battle.
Start with pictures! There isn't a member here that wouldn't like to see you succeed at rebuilding your Dads car!
Dan
You should give us a bit of information about your Dad and the status of his involvement with the car. Was he doing all the work himself? Sounds like he may have been doing a complete interior rebuild and if he had the dash pulled out he must have had reasons for that depth of work.
Is it your plan to do the work yourself or direct others to do it. No offence to you but do you have the mechanical ability to carry this out. Just would prefer to see you not throw a bundle of money into something that won't materialize.
You can do all the work yourself with the assistance of the knowledgeable members on this forum. You just need to have a cautiously optimistic approach. Now is the time to learn how to post pictures. Post lots of them giving us an overall look at the car. Try to get pictures of the metal frame wherever possible. You can clean almost anything and paint to make it look new; but if the frame is rotted out due to rust you may be fighting a can't win battle.
Start with pictures! There isn't a member here that wouldn't like to see you succeed at rebuilding your Dads car!
Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 800
Likes: 15
From: Currently Buffalo NY, originally from MI
Sorry to hear about your Dad passing. I got my 79 when my dad passed away last summer, so I can understand wanting to finish his work and have something to remember him by.
Lots of great people on this forum, and all good advice. Listen to these guys, and if the car is restorable, I don't think there is a better group of people to get you there!
Lots of great people on this forum, and all good advice. Listen to these guys, and if the car is restorable, I don't think there is a better group of people to get you there!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 543
Likes: 10
From: B.F.E....Bowling Green Kentucky
Welcome!
Good to see another gal on here! Sorry about your dad, nice that he give you the car, more the reason to keep it and make it shine! First of all, don't let any one scare you off by saying that trying to restore an old car is not a good idea, over your head, blah blah blah.....f@@k em, I don't have much mechanical ability either, but I am willing to learn. To those people that think that way, all I have to say is: "Holy sheet, I wished I was BORN smart like YOU" 
We can do anything we set our minds to. (Guys and gals alike)
One thing I would recommend is getting an AIM (assembly instruction manual) for your year. It shows how everything is put together. Comes in paper and CD, about $20-$25 if I remember right. Do lots of research, don't be afraid to ask questions even if you think they are dumb. Expect to spend a lot of money on this thing, but it's worth it if this is your 'thing', just wait til you go cruising around and everybody is staring at ya!
Take baby steps and it'll eventually get done. Most of all, HAVE FUN!!
We can do anything we set our minds to. (Guys and gals alike)One thing I would recommend is getting an AIM (assembly instruction manual) for your year. It shows how everything is put together. Comes in paper and CD, about $20-$25 if I remember right. Do lots of research, don't be afraid to ask questions even if you think they are dumb. Expect to spend a lot of money on this thing, but it's worth it if this is your 'thing', just wait til you go cruising around and everybody is staring at ya!
Take baby steps and it'll eventually get done. Most of all, HAVE FUN!!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
I would add that given your description, this is going to take both time and money. But time is the big one. Don't think that this will be quick or easy. But it WILL be worth it. You will learn tons about your car and have the pride of doing a lot yourself. Just take each part one by one and don't get discouraged about how big the job is. I bought my "project car" 2 years ago thinking it would be a 5 year project. I am now thinking that I grossly underestimated that amount of time it would take because I am also budgeting expenses out on a monthly basis.
So, hang in there, use the forum, and persist. And I'm surprised that nobody else said this so I will----you go girl!
So, hang in there, use the forum, and persist. And I'm surprised that nobody else said this so I will----you go girl!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 543
Likes: 10
From: B.F.E....Bowling Green Kentucky
If I did that, I'd been kicked off here a long time ago! Dang forum police keeping us in line! 
And weren't you one of them that was kinda discouraging me from getting a c3?? LOL, I don't listen very well. That's ok, I forgive you, you've been wonderful to me and you're a sweetie!
Just saying to the OP, don't let anyone discourage you from doing what you want.
And weren't you one of them that was kinda discouraging me from getting a c3?? LOL, I don't listen very well. That's ok, I forgive you, you've been wonderful to me and you're a sweetie! Just saying to the OP, don't let anyone discourage you from doing what you want.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
From: Elderslie, Scotland
Good to see another gal on here! Sorry about your dad, nice that he give you the car, more the reason to keep it and make it shine! First of all, don't let any one scare you off by saying that trying to restore an old car is not a good idea, over your head, blah blah blah.....f@@k em, I don't have much mechanical ability either, but I am willing to learn. To those people that think that way, all I have to say is: "Holy sheet, I wished I was BORN smart like YOU" We can do anything we set our minds to. (Guys and gals alike)
One thing I would recommend is getting an AIM (assembly instruction manual) for your year. It shows how everything is put together. Comes in paper and CD, about $20-$25 if I remember right. Do lots of research, don't be afraid to ask questions even if you think they are dumb. Expect to spend a lot of money on this thing, but it's worth it if this is your 'thing', just wait til you go cruising around and everybody is staring at ya! Take baby steps and it'll eventually get done. Most of all, HAVE FUN!!
We can do anything we set our minds to. (Guys and gals alike)One thing I would recommend is getting an AIM (assembly instruction manual) for your year. It shows how everything is put together. Comes in paper and CD, about $20-$25 if I remember right. Do lots of research, don't be afraid to ask questions even if you think they are dumb. Expect to spend a lot of money on this thing, but it's worth it if this is your 'thing', just wait til you go cruising around and everybody is staring at ya!
Take baby steps and it'll eventually get done. Most of all, HAVE FUN!!Sorry to hear the circumstances on how you came about yours, mines is similar in that it was a friend from Scotland that passed away in California and I have shipped it back here in his memory.
Its my first project and planning to do as much work on it myself as possible. I've been lurking on here for a good few weeks now and very impressed with the knowledge, attention to detail and offers of assistance.
Good luck and keep us posted
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Being female is actually an advantage to working on a C3.. There are countless things that I have to remove or disassemble to get to what I really want to work on.
Don't let anyone scare you off. As noted above, time is the biggest thing to any restoration. Get the books, read them, ask for help.
Don't let anyone scare you off. As noted above, time is the biggest thing to any restoration. Get the books, read them, ask for help.