Haven't been on the Corvette Forum website for years now. Finally retired and have some time to spend on this forum discussing Corvettes. My 1969 427/435 just had an interior "make over" by yours truly. I did the work myself with my handy Consew Industrial Sewing Machine. It's not perfect but I am very happy with the results. I've had this car since early 1970 and still drive it almost every day. The engine hasn't ever been out of the car and only a few problems have come up throughout all these years. Most of those were simply regular maintenance like new clutches, brakes, master cylinders etc. The interior is brand new. I just completed it about a month ago. Having never been a real fan or ORIGINAL, I have changed the car to suit my own person preference. Seats, steering wheel, center console, dash top, radio, side mirrors and a few other mods have made the car less valuable to most but more valuable to me. In 1969, Chevrolet did a pretty nice job on the Stingrays but let's face it, they look very plastic on the inside. In fact, that is my biggest complaint about the car. The body style still looks awesome and to me is STILL the best looking production sports car ever made. Now, after completing the interior, the entire car looks like it should have coming out of the factory. I'm enclosing some pictures to possibly give some of you an idea of what can be done to make the car look more up to date. Those of you who prefer originality need not respond because of course ... you are correct. Originality increases the value, while modified decreases the value.

Some of the items which may be of particular interest to you are the little circular door emblems on the handle, the steering wheel horn button, the "sign" near the windshield wiper switch and the sign next to the shifter. I made all of these myself. The 13" Formuling steering wheel was purchased on ebay but it needed re-wrapping. I still had half a leather hide left so I took on the challenge myself. It took me two tries to get it done. It still isn't perfect and I may give this one more "go". You can't believe how EXACT the pieces have to be cut in order for the wrap to fit. Know how much "stretch" to account for is the biggest problem. It's OK for now. The original radio is long gone. It never did work and frankly was a POS. I built a housing out of PVC and covered it in leather so that I could install my multi-function radio, dvd, gps, bluetooth etc. unit. I love having navigation. The screen comes out and folds upward and is 7" inches. It's been a great unit. The center console "mistake" has been corrected and the two stitched straps on either side of the hand brake are now "tight". They came loose during all the fabrication. The little emblem under the brake handle is something personal so I incorporated that into the car. The center console box is hand made and very useful. The exterior mirrors are from a 1997 Buick Riviera. They are electric and heated but that project is yet to come. I will do the wiring this summer. I've also purchased a KIA "Start/Stop" button but don't know exactly where to locate this plus the control button for the mirrors. Still trying to figure that out.

The wheels are from "Western Wheel". They've been on the car for over three decades. I'm an old guy and really don't care for the over-size wheel/painted on tire look. I think it's pretty hideous when taken to the extreme.

Enjoy the photos

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7614604&type=3

 

You can email me at : lazarus2@pacbell.net

 

That is some pretty fine work with that sewing machine!!

 

Welcome back, link currently not working but cant wait to see those pics. Car sounds awesome.

 

You have to share your Facebook pics or we cannot access them. Put your pics in Photobucket or a similar photo sharing site and you'll be able to post them here. You can also put pics in your Forum account.

 

I do like original but I also really like the work you did on the console. Late C3 seats also look really good.
pigag2

 

Same with me. I cannot see the pics. But I sure would like to!

 

Yes! Please post the pics. Would really like to see them

 

you have to be Login facebook to be able to view fontking's photos BTW nice work .
Peace
Frank

 

For those of us who don't do facebook, we'd like to see them posted here.

 

Ditto all the above! Post em up!

 

They look awesome!

 

Looks awesome, excellent job I doubt I could even find the 'ON' switch on a sewing machine.

 

Excellent work!

Dave

 

The pictures are on my hard drive and also posted in facebook. I'm afraid to say I forgot how to post pictures to my corvetteforum account. Could somebody please email that information and I will then post them? It's been so long since I was here....my brain has gone dead...or something has changed. Thanks to anyone who can help.

lazarus2@pacbell.net

 

Maybe this will work....

http://s1324.beta.photobucket.com/us...tml?sort=3&o=2

 

Happens to the best of em.

Hit the back button and go back to the C3 General page. At the top of the page there are several "sticky" threads. Posting pics is the 3rd one down. Perhaps that will help. Your handy work sounds fantastic.

 

Looks like we were posting togther. That worked. Thanks.

Very very nice, you should go in bussiness and take on a few orders.

 

what are the mirrors from?

and you do excellent work. I'd love to have side support in my C3.

 

Looks great!