Howdy folks, I bought a 1981 Corvette two months ago. It was rode hard and put away wet....a lot. It ran..sort of. Price was under 2k so.. it got a new suspension, brakes (all), rebuilt carb, pulled engine and trans. Engine 1969 350 4 bolt truck engine that has some bottom end issues. Trans got a shift kit and new fluid and filter. Emergency brakes replaced. New (used) gauges, speedo cable, headlight vaccum gremlins defeated. Windshield wiper motor, switch is still problematic.
I started with the body and paint today. Man... it hasn't been washed in about 6 years. Washed and started wet sanding, needs it bad. It'll take a while but won't be too bad after it's done. Someone put a fairly decent two tone paint job on it sometime. Pearl white /dark garnet.
The interior is another story, previous owner decided to change the color to black from dark red leather ???????? What were you thinking. Now doing it with the proper panels OK...but rattle can vinyl paint/die ??? Sorry to drone on but I'm a little discouraged, this was someones baby at one time. At 18,000 1981 dollars it had to have been pampered. But long time neglected now. I need some vette folks to tell me it'll be allright, keep on keepin on, stay the course etc. No one can appriciate someone's pain as the one who've gone before. Thanks. Chuck

 

I'm 4 years into a 1977 build and have yet to hear it run, never mind drive it so not much sympathy here....suck it up and have some fun with it; you'll probably finish it before I get to take mine down the driveway for the first time.

 

Well Chuck...my 74 also had a painted interior, and I blew up the clutch the first night I had it out! Stay with it, but dont be afraid to walk away from it when it gets overwhelming....it will be there waiting for you when you feel motivated again.

Then:






Sort of "now" [its pretty much complete now, but I dont have pics]

 

Always glad to see another C3 being recued from a state of dispair.

GO FOR IT !!

 

Hi mch,
Some days you need to just close the garage door and walk away.
On my car when it seemed like there were nothing but problems I'd try to find some little job that I could do that day and actually FINISH SOMETHING... even if it was just stripping and painting a couple of brackets.
There is a certain pleasure that comes from restoring a car. You'll feel it I'm sure!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

I'm with Alan71, pick a small project, ignore everything else, and just focus on one thing until its complete. Don't focus on the whole car. How do you eat an elephant? One little bite at a time.....

 

^ Yup with the above two. I'm in the midst of a frame off rest-mod and have to "skip" some projects and do another just to feel like I got something done. Eventually a few "little ones" lead you back to the big one and your another step closer.

 

Long journey, small steps.

 

Take your time and enjoy every minute...even if frustrating at times you'll remember these moments and feel proud.
..take lots of pics of "before n after" and when ever you feel discouraged look at the pics and feel better .. I know I did.

Besides... the guys on this forum are awesome...anything you need or want to know just ask

Congrats.

ps: here's mine before...:


..and after: :

 

I paid $12,000 for mine on E Bay and when I got it it needed everything. It was a nice driver but not what I expected for 12 grand. I am in the process of painting mine also. I have sunk a ton of cash into this car and will put some more into it. Not only do I share your frustration but I am also pizzed that I paid this much.


Frustration is part of the game. You will get it done and be driving it before you know it.
Enjoy the project and the car. The 80 to 82 are my favorite years.

 

"c'mon mack,pull yourself together".

 

Thanks guys, I knew you'd have good advice and wishes. Lots of negativity around me. Just needed a boost.
Wet sanded today, beautiful day in the northeast. Feeling much better. Still a long way to go but, better motivation. Thanks again,
Chuck

 

Don't give up, I among others here have had a lot less to work with.
As others have said, sometimes you just have to walk away for a break
and give yourself a rest. Look what I started with and I have a lot further
to go.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ant-to-do.html

 

I like to keep it drivable as much as possible. A few drives in it between projects really keeps motivation up. Helps that I can't afford to do frame off type resto. I can only afford one vette so i would rather drive a 10 footer than spend years with a garage queen. I need two vettes don't I....

 

 

http://www.stovebolt.com/features/sagas/sanderson/

I finally finsihed it, it was trully wonderful and sold it at a profit after much fun. DO NOT stop, sell yourself short or quit. Take breaks, remember you're just one guy slogging away not a whole crew, keep posting pics and you'll keep us interested too. AGREE WITH ARKYVETTE drive if at all possible.

 

As I recall, Marge Simpson noticed the date of the poster, and remarked that the cat must have been dead by now

 

Thanks fellas, spent the weekend, wet sanded, compounded, polished and waxed. I think I gained about 12 feet. Went from a twenty footer to an eight footer. I've got the wheels and t tops to polish and then we tackle the interior.

 

Check out Fat Cat in the performance section. Started with an engine build and is into stripping and sanding the same car.Then adding paint and clear. Oh yeah, he has never done any of this before. try to learn from others as he did . Great people have helped him along the way but he had enough intelligence to get it and everything is going to look beautiful. Seemed to always approach it with a smile and seemed to enjoy the trip'