This is my first Vette and first Chevy actually. I was raised a Mustang nut, but I've wanted a Corvette since I was a kid. I picked this up for next to nothing, but it's obviously going to cost me plenty in time and money to get it running and looking how I want it to. I want to avoid pulling the body completely off if possible. Anyone have an opinion on that?

The last big project I took on was a 66 Mustang fastback that was in just as poor of shape, but that car was completely put together when I started. My initial challenge with this Corvette is that I'm inheriting someone else's basket case and I don't really know exactly what goes where and what little stuff I might be missing right off the bat.

The auto trans is gone, but I'd want a manual anyway. Any suggestion on which transmission I should be looking at? The 350 that's dangling in the engine bay was apparently rebuilt a year ago and never fired. I have zero paperwork on that, so I'm taking it out for my local machine shop to tear down. It's also an A/C car, but I'll want to delete that.

Console, carpet, seats, gauges, floor boards, body/paint, lizard skin, wiring, wider tires, cooling system, heater, fuel tank/lines, rear end, suspension, brake system, the list seems awfully long at this point. I'm not looking for a show car. I just want to end up with a clean looking car with plenty of power for sunny day cruising. Any insight from the old pros to help me get there would be awesome.

 

 

 

Not one of the pros but your frame looks great! Have you checked bird cage and windshield for rust issues?
Get the AIM and service manuals if you haven't already....huge help as I also have a basket case....they keep fellas like us from bugging the pros too much....
Also appears to be original paint, Black bumper cushions seem to get painted body color a lot....

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that your seats are from a 75-77. '78's-82's have different seats. As far as not removing the body, I am sure people do it all of the time. No matter how you go, don't neglect your restoration on your suspension if you plan to drive it a lot. Looks pretty restorable.

 

In 1978 only the Pace Car got the clamshell type bucket seats, all other 78's got the earlier style. All 79's to 82's got the clamshells.
Good luck with your project.

 

WOW that thing looks clean. Frame wise looks perfect. Up here everything has heavy scale rust on it and guys still want top buck. That's a good start right there. Nice to have another "fun" car to drive while you restore the Vette. I have a Mustang as well for the summer months 2001 Bullitt.

 

Kahmann - Welcome aboard! What you got there is what I call a blank canvas to do with as you wish; restore, resto-mod, or just outright hotrod. It's a silver anniversary edition, but the only unique thing there was the $399 two-tone paint job. Frame looks great so I'm not sure that it's necessary to yank the body off. Rear suspension looks like the strut rods have been modded with aftermarket inner mounts. The engine looks like a crate job of unknown origin and I think you're doing the smart thing farming that out for a thorough teardown. God only know what Bubba put in there and how well it was done. AIM = Assembly Instruction Manual. Some of the older players here will throw out acronyms that take time to translate. Just ask and someone will 'splain ya'. Good luck, have fun and keep us posted.

 

Maybe not. Look correct for 78. Cloth was a buyer choice.

 

That car looks CLEEEEEEEAN! Well done, for a first vette, I think you're off to a great start. As was mentioned, pick up the Assembly manual, but also grab the 1978 Corvette service manual ( the one the mechanics used). I find that one the most useful. A lot of people will tell you to use the search function before you ask a question. For me, getting a conversation going helps me to forge friendships on here as well as gain knowledge.......so don't be afraid to ask questions. Welcome aboard, and enjoy the ride.

 

Okay cool, I know early C3s more than I do 78s-82s. I have seen dozens of them, but haven't really paid too much attention to the little details like this. Like I said…correct me if I am wrong.


Thanks!

 

Looks better than what I started with!

 

Thanks for all the input fellas, I appreciate it a lot. I'll definitely get those manuals coming. I'm glad to hear that you all think the frame looks so good. I was hoping not to have to get that deep into it. This is pretty typical condition for a CA car that wasn't raised on the coast. Guess I take that for granted.