Document as you restore?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 4
Document as you restore?
When we bought our 68, 5 months ago, I listened skeptically as the previous owner stated that he “thought” the 46,000 miles was original, although there was no formal documentation to support the claim. He backed the “story” with the assertion that he and his PO had put less than 10,000 miles on the car in the past 20 years. Honestly, I didn’t care whether it was 46K or 146K because I knew what condition my inspection showed. Now, I am looking at indications that the claim was likely correct, such as the original riveted rear brake rotors that I now need to disassemble to fix some parking brake noises (broken springs I suspect), as well as, plenty of other indications of low mileage.
My question is, should I document, photographically or otherwise, the condition I find as things are repaired and replaced? Will an abundance of documentation actually provide enough “circumstantial evidence” to be convincing about the car’s history? My car is a very original vehicle that I would some day like to enter for NCRS judging.
My question is, should I document, photographically or otherwise, the condition I find as things are repaired and replaced? Will an abundance of documentation actually provide enough “circumstantial evidence” to be convincing about the car’s history? My car is a very original vehicle that I would some day like to enter for NCRS judging.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...Will an abundance of documentation actually provide enough “circumstantial evidence” to be convincing about the car’s history?...
... My car is a very original vehicle that I would some day like to enter for NCRS judging...
Have you ordered the NCRS 68-69 Technical Information and Judging Guide?
http://www.ncrs.org/
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
I have been progressing through a 2 year restoration for the last 3 years on my 1968. I figure I have about 2 more years before complete. To date I have over 500 pictures separated into categories. Great for reference as well as the history and detail of the restoration. I always do before, during and after pictures. Enjoy your project and document all you can.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ud,
While I think it's an excellent idea to take pictures of everything you do to your 68, I don't think the NCRS is interested in a cars history at the time it's being Flight Judged. The car is judged as it's presented that day compared to what was typical of factory production when that car was built.
If there's a possibility you'd have the car judged in the future I'd like to suggest that you check out the NCRS site out and consider buying the Corvette Judging Reference Manual, and the 68-69 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide. (There's a new edition coming out literally any day now.) These will give you an idea what NCRS judging is like and may help you decide what you do to your car or not.
How about a few pictures?
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
While I think it's an excellent idea to take pictures of everything you do to your 68, I don't think the NCRS is interested in a cars history at the time it's being Flight Judged. The car is judged as it's presented that day compared to what was typical of factory production when that car was built.
If there's a possibility you'd have the car judged in the future I'd like to suggest that you check out the NCRS site out and consider buying the Corvette Judging Reference Manual, and the 68-69 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide. (There's a new edition coming out literally any day now.) These will give you an idea what NCRS judging is like and may help you decide what you do to your car or not.
How about a few pictures?
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I did, but not for any NCRS purposes. I did it to show what the car looked like when I got it (basically unrestored but big-time scruffy), the numbers on parts as found, step by step as the car was blown up and reassembled, and detail on parts that you can't see when they are in the car like trans numbers and dates, dist #, smog pump numbers, pulleys and even before and after repairs like on my windshield frame.
I just like to have it, it shows what the car is. It still deosn't prove anything, as I do not have a tank sticker or other documentation, I know that.
I just like to have it, it shows what the car is. It still deosn't prove anything, as I do not have a tank sticker or other documentation, I know that.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Oct 8, 2012 at 02:26 PM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 4
Thanks for the replies. Actually, I already joined NCRS, bought the judging manual and have been through it cover to cover, taking “inventory” along the way. I wasn’t thinking about photos for NCRS, but more for a prospective buyer when and if I get ready to sell years down the road. I actually do have a photo of the tank sticker (taken when the tank was replaced), passed down from 2 previous owners to me. That photo is a unique piece of documentation that helps with the history of the car, which did in fact interest me before the purchase.
I am impressed with the photo album from Vettebuyer5869 (as well as others who made similar comments), which is sort of what I had in mind. Although I don’t think I have the ambition to do an album, his idea seems excellent. To document the history of the car for yourself and maybe as an added bonus when selling the car, should the prospective buyer be interested in such a history. If the new buyer is interested in NCRS and originality, historical documentation seems like a significant benefit.
I am impressed with the photo album from Vettebuyer5869 (as well as others who made similar comments), which is sort of what I had in mind. Although I don’t think I have the ambition to do an album, his idea seems excellent. To document the history of the car for yourself and maybe as an added bonus when selling the car, should the prospective buyer be interested in such a history. If the new buyer is interested in NCRS and originality, historical documentation seems like a significant benefit.