My First Restoration
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 46
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My First Restoration
I have started this thread to document this project. I hope to get feedback from the Veteran Restorers at any stage of this project.
This is a 1973 LS4 I purchased from "a little old lady" in Marietta, Ga. for $8000. Her late husband bought this car for her for Valentine's Day in 1974. I got all the documentation that she had and the tank sticker which is all but destroyed. I drove the car for 2 years then began to tear it down and purchase things needed for the restoration. This started about 8 years ago. Procrastination at its best. The car is all factory original except for the distributor and the A.I.R. has been removed. The interior is in excellent condition and will be used in the car. I have purchased a correct distributor for it and most of the stuff I have purchased over the years are correct for this car.
My dilemma is, I was going to make this a museum piece, but man this cost big money so my logic is, it would be worth X amount as a museum piece and about $5000 less as a restored driver that I could enjoy and show which should be worth something.
What do you guys think? I am including a photobucket link to pics of the project so far and will add as the project progresses.
http://s322.photobucket.com/user/jef...3%20C3%20Vette
This is a 1973 LS4 I purchased from "a little old lady" in Marietta, Ga. for $8000. Her late husband bought this car for her for Valentine's Day in 1974. I got all the documentation that she had and the tank sticker which is all but destroyed. I drove the car for 2 years then began to tear it down and purchase things needed for the restoration. This started about 8 years ago. Procrastination at its best. The car is all factory original except for the distributor and the A.I.R. has been removed. The interior is in excellent condition and will be used in the car. I have purchased a correct distributor for it and most of the stuff I have purchased over the years are correct for this car.
My dilemma is, I was going to make this a museum piece, but man this cost big money so my logic is, it would be worth X amount as a museum piece and about $5000 less as a restored driver that I could enjoy and show which should be worth something.
What do you guys think? I am including a photobucket link to pics of the project so far and will add as the project progresses.
http://s322.photobucket.com/user/jef...3%20C3%20Vette
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Jeff,
This looks like a nice bb car to be working on.
Have you thought about the sequence in which you'll be working on the car? Most people first disassemble, then do chassis, mechanical, exterior, and finally interior.
Do you have a good system of controlling parts and fasteners as you take the car apart.
Do I see some blue paint under the primer? That old paint really should come off before you start prep for the new paint.
If you're planning too reuse the interior it really needs to come out of the car now or you need to do a serious job of protecting it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
This looks like a nice bb car to be working on.
Have you thought about the sequence in which you'll be working on the car? Most people first disassemble, then do chassis, mechanical, exterior, and finally interior.
Do you have a good system of controlling parts and fasteners as you take the car apart.
Do I see some blue paint under the primer? That old paint really should come off before you start prep for the new paint.
If you're planning too reuse the interior it really needs to come out of the car now or you need to do a serious job of protecting it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 11, 2013 at 08:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
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You know Alan you bring up a good point about the blue paint showing. 4 years or so ago I took this car to a body shop to have it painted. I wasn't going to touch the interior. All I was going to do to the car was replace all the bushings, front and rear suspension and body mount, shocks, brakes, and a new set of tires and then just drive it. The body shop I took it to told me to remove all the little pieces and bring it to him. I have known this guy for years. He stripped the car from the back of the doors forward blocked the whole car and shot it with 2K, blocked it again and shot again with 2K. The car then sit for one and a half years in his shop. One day he called me to come get it out of his way, so I did. I started to block it to see what was underneath and that is what you see. The body shop guy told me that the paint on the rear didn't need to come off, but I am taking it off when I get to that stage.
I have been taking the interior out today. My plan is finish the engine, restore the chassis and engine compartment, paint the body, freshen up the interior, and then install the engine and trans. Every single piece and its retainer has been ziplocked and labeled.
I have been taking the interior out today. My plan is finish the engine, restore the chassis and engine compartment, paint the body, freshen up the interior, and then install the engine and trans. Every single piece and its retainer has been ziplocked and labeled.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
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I think of the wear and tear and the cost of keeping it at that level would cause me to stress out about using the car. I plan on shelving the trans, heads, and exhaust manifolds. I have purchased a 700r4, Mcjacks headers, and aluminum heads and radiator. If ever I want to make it original or I sell it to someone that wants it original, then it would be possible.
Of course I'm not right in the head. I have asked guys around here and I'll get advice to keep it all original from half and the other half will say modify it. I have made my mind to keep it looking original but make it have the power plant of the old power house Vettes. At least it will be loud and fun.
Of course I'm not right in the head. I have asked guys around here and I'll get advice to keep it all original from half and the other half will say modify it. I have made my mind to keep it looking original but make it have the power plant of the old power house Vettes. At least it will be loud and fun.
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