RBrid

Now the goal is to put the body back on the chassis to do body work: replace the quarter panels with flared ones, fiberglass bumpers, door gaps, hood gaps, etc... All this body work needs to be done with the approximate final weight on the chassis. So I'm temporarily mounting the old engine and new TKO 600 transmission. Front and rear heavy bumper structures are getting on next. I will also be adding a bunch of sand bags inside the doors and throughout the car to simulate the final weight.

Thanks for taking a peek, and happy Christmas!

13611

Looking good as usual Bird. Question: Where did you get those shiny door strikers?

RBrid

Thanks Jason - The door pins are polished stainless steel. Item #283088 from Corvette Central.

RBrid

Here's the first episode of the 2017 season. There are always more bits and pieces to refurbish.
To be continued...

RBrid

Corvette Restoration Axiom #356: There shall be no bumper cover fitting without bumper.

RBrid

I, chassis, take you to be my body; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in accident and on the track, to love and cherish always.

Body, will you take this frame to be your rolling chassis; love, honor, and protect it now and forevermore?
I do, with every fiber in my body.

You may now kiss the Brid vette.

RBrid

That night I was humming a song by the Doors.

RBrid

Before I put the body back on the chassis, I drilled a 1" hole in the tunnel.
Once the body in place, I could feel exactly where the shifter tower needs to be, and figure the edges of the rectangle to cut out. I will do that next time the body is off again.

RBrid

Got a highrise hood and ajusted it as well as I could. Both the hood and surround will need some VPA to improve the gaps & make them flush.

I also dispersed 320 pounds of gravel in the car, 50 of them in the doors, to simulate the missing parts. Now the car is ready for the major fiberglass work.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Andy Tuttle

Love the latest edition! Keep 'em coming!

RBrid

I like the '74 rear a lot. Middle fake seam & lettering will be removed.

RBrid

I accidentally bumped into my car yesterday evening and the quarter panel fell off.

bmans vette

"Love Her Madly"........?????

bmans vette

Great work.
Gives me many pointers and ideas as I get ready to do the same.
I realized that mounting the new bumpers will not be doable without the body on the frame. So I see the need to make the body easier to lift on and off multiple times.
Thinking some kind of gantry that will fit in my workplace.
The engine hoist method is a little flimsy and requires 2 people to raise and lower steadily.
Txs for the ideas.

Continued good luck with your project

Dennis (Bman)

SuperBuickGuy

You really need to speed up with your practice, I'm picking up my Corvette on Sunday.... you are coming with, right?

RBrid

You got it Bman

RBrid

Yes, I'll join you with a Kleenex box for this emotional event.

cabman72

RBrid, I've been skipping thru this thread, mostly looking at the pics, and marveling at the time and work you are putting in on this car. I applaud your efforts and results. I picked up a 72 last month and plan on doing a frame off resto in my garage and you have given me hope that I can do it! I rebuilt a 79 Z28 years ago and it still looks great so I'm not a complete rookie. Anyways, I have a quick question: About how much does the body weigh? I will hook up a chain hoist to the rafters in my garage, or should I have more than one? I want to make a wheeled dolly to place the body on after removing the frame. I noticed you supported the front of the body with straps when lifting. I appreciate any help you can give me.

SuperBuickGuy

You certainly know how to be there for those emotional moments

RBrid

Thanks for the kind words cabman! Congratulations on your '72 purchase. If I can do a frame off resto, you can too. I'm a complete rookie - but then again I'm far from being done...
Gold Dragon thought a totally stripped body was around 800lbs here. I'm tempted to say less than that. Mine is totally stripped too and feels lighter than that - I can't give you more than a gut feeling though.
I like having two hoists instead of one because I can keep the body more in control with two anchor points. With one anchor, the body has 3 degrees of freedom. With two anchors, it only has 1 degree. And on top of that you distribute the stress of the weight better on your rafters or other structure.
Yes, most of the time I also supported the front clip during a lift. Sometimes I attached the straps to the top of the windshield frame but ideally you should attach them to your front hoist hook. Using the windshield frame is not recommended in particular for convertible vettes. Mine is a coupe with a birdcage in very good shape - it should be fine still.
Looking forward to your build thread!

We'll take pictures again for posterity.