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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 11:06 PM
  #1  
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Default 72 convertible project

Folks,
I bought this project car and am trying to solidify my strategy. The car is running and driving, but is otherwise disassembled. The top is off, the trunk is off, the interior is out including the dash and consoles. The body was soda blasted so it is also stripped and dis assembled. I have never owned a corvette before so I am not familiar with how it goes together. Since I did not dis assemble it I am a bit lost. The guy who took it apart did a good job of labeling and contained things into ziplock bags. I'm thinking of mocking it back together to see what is missing. Is this a waste of time or a good idea?
Kevin
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 11:19 PM
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Do you have the 1972 AIM? If not you should get one.
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 04:59 AM
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Yes I believe so. I have a whole box of books and wiring diagrams.
Kevin
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Revi
Do you have the 1972 AIM? If not you should get one.
My car was in boxes when I got it. I have two AIM one that is in the shop the other in the house. I would often just sit down and thumb through the copy in the house reading it like a book. Vendor catalogs are another source of information. They will help you identify parts and the differences from year to year. You will find that different forum members have different levels of expertise in certain areas and most will share their knowledge when you ask. As far a mocking up the parts assembled I did it. If you are going to paint your car you will want to assemble the doors and hood ect. for fitting before painting several examples of that here.
Best of luck.
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 07:58 AM
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OK I have thought it through and the only way I will feel comfortable is to mock it all up then tear it down again before paint. There are a ton of new parts in GM boxes and bags, but not organized the way I think about a project. I will lay all the parts out and see if I can figure out the previous owners thought process. This should help to understand how he organized the boxes and contents. I just found one receipt for the new Chrome and grills. It was for $2754.82. I can't believe how expensive some of these parts are. My first step will be to find the books again. I saw them yesterday.
Kevin
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 08:07 AM
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Sounds like a good plan.
Your efforts will be worth it..very desireable car.
Post up some pics, when you get a chance.

Last edited by tokim; Nov 9, 2013 at 08:27 AM.
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 08:31 AM
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http://s890.photobucket.com/user/the...sort=3&page=1#
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 08:33 AM
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OK I'm not sure what just happened, but I think I posted the pics of the new project. This was just an experiment, but it seemed to work. Can you guys see the pics?
Kevin
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by bbcngineer
...Can you guys see the pics?...
Yep.
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 08:44 AM
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Your link works...take your time with the project after you re-organize everything.

I actually have more time invested in looking through threads on this Forum/reading manuals/studying diagrams than I have in actual assembly time after 5 weeks of starting my first project.

But things make more sense!
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 08:51 AM
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if you complete your personal info, especially the location, nearby members might offer to give you hands-on instructions.
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 09:01 AM
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Looks like a great project !! Take your time and you will have a car to be proud to drive.
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 09:53 AM
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Hi bbc,
This looks like a 'project' for sure! But also looks like the beginning of what could be a a very nice car.
I agree that 'mocking it up' and laying out all the parts will be a good way to determine what you have and what's missing.
I think the Assembly Instruction Manual will become your best friend!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Here it is:



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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 07:44 PM
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Guys,
I love moments like this. My 9 YO daughter looked at the car and said, "that thing is ugly". I said, "do you want to go for a ride?" She said, "that thing doesn't even run". I said, "Get in I will take you around the block". So we went around the block and it was completely awesome. There is no windshield so it felt like we were going 100 MPH. The motor, Tanny and rear are new, so it runs great just looks like crap. She cant stop talking about it. Of course she had to tell her mother. I will likely be sleeping on the couch. Oh well this is the stuff dreams and memories are made of.
Kevin
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by bbcngineer
Guys,
I love moments like this. My 9 YO daughter looked at the car and said, "that thing is ugly". I said, "do you want to go for a ride?" She said, "that thing doesn't even run". I said, "Get in I will take you around the block". So we went around the block and it was completely awesome. There is no windshield so it felt like we were going 100 MPH. The motor, Tanny and rear are new, so it runs great just looks like crap. She cant stop talking about it. Of course she had to tell her mother. I will likely be sleeping on the couch. Oh well this is the stuff dreams and memories are made of.
Kevin

Now that's worth repeating!!!!
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 09:57 PM
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Default Mock Up

I 100% agree with Alan.

Even when I took mine apart and took pictures I would still mock up stuff just so I knew exactly how best to reassemble and protect the freshly restored parts.

Looks like a fun project.


Bill
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