Jazzyced

Hi all,

I am the new owner of a 1976 C3 and was wondering if anybody could point me to a trusted garage in Edmonton Alberta (preferably south side) to have:
1/ an insurance inspection done?
2/ some basic work (e.g. hand brake or anything which would not pass the inspection) done?

Thanks in advance,

Cedric

briankeery

Welcome Cedric,

I know we have some great C3 owners in Alberta that are frequent visitors on the forum. Unfortunately, I'm not too familiar with that beautiful part of the country, been there, but briefly. I'm sure one of the boys will see your post and hopefully can offer you some sound advice.

The basic stuff may be best handled by yourself, with help from the forum of course. if you plan on owning your car for any length of time, working on it yourself can be very cost effective.

Good luck, and again welcome.

Jazzyced

Thanks!

I just looked at the handbrake and it is something I can do. I do not mind doing most of the jobs myself, that is the idea behind owing one of these cars and I am happy with it!

I wish I could do the insurance inspection myself...

There must be a decent shop in Edmonton or around, so I will wait for somebody to point one.


Cedric

classic72

When I bought my '72 corvette it needed an out-of-province inspection done because it came from across the border. I took it to a shop on the northwest side of Edmonton called Central Auto & Truck Parts after doing some things myself to make sure it passed, but there was other things that I rather a shop worked on. That shop was reasonable and they did a good job on it, replacing a few things that needed to be done to make it safe to drive. I know it's not on the southside, but it's the place I used a few years ago. I would recommend them for sure!

cagotzmann

I would contact Lawrence from Western Corvette in Calgary to see if he knows of the good shop that knows corvette's.

The last corvette shop in edmonton was Corvette Corner, but they are long gone.

Paul L

Although I am in Ontario and cannot really help you with a local shop I am curious about your request. Insurance companies do not normally require mechanical inspections but Ministries of Transport (MTO) do for licensing purposes. If so, any local certified garage or GM dealer can do that job. The Corvette is just basically a Chevrolet and an MTO-certified garage can do that job to get you on the road. You don't need a Corvette specialist. Ball joints are ball joints...

Jazzyced

Thank you all for your answers, I will follow the leads.

Paul, good comment. I am new to Canada and finding a decent mechanic does not seem that easy here! The last garage I went to, forgot to put back the belly pan of my chrysler 300... and left black finger prints everywhere inside and outside! I guess my trust in the local mechanic is not that high.

I could simplify my question: does anybody know of a good shop/mechanic in Edmonton?

Thanks again!

Jazzyced

Paul, it seems to be a common trend amongst insurance companies in Alberta to request a mechanical inspection when the car is 12 years old or more and changes ownership. I am not sure if it is an Alberta thing only, but maybe I should shop around a bit more when it comes to insurances...

vettezobsezzed

Hey there, I know your looking for a shop, but I insured with hagerty, $250 a year! Less than my quad! No inspection req'd

Jazzyced

Hagerty is a nice option but they only insure for the collector car usage. I am planning on driving to work on the good sunny days (I know where every potholes on the road are).

It is a short 8km drive to work and probably the only time when I can appreciate driving my Corvette!

vettezobsezzed

8km per day should be well within limits.... Fudge the numbers if need be, I wouldn't bother with insurance inspection... Really open yourself to corvette tax

phat87

Believe it or not Cambodian Tire has some pretty knowledgeable techs.

In BC they are the only facility for doing US import inspections.

As for the repair work, join the local Corvette Club, go to a meeting, find who they use as a back yard mechanic.

My backyarder was the Corvette mechanic at A GM dealer for 15 years. He's seen pretty much everything.

OMF

Hi Cedric..

I was given this name from a colleague of mine that had an out of province inspection done, and he had nothing but good things to say about it.
I think it's a small operation (owner operator), but have I have not personally used him.
I'm not exactly sure of the services he provides, but I think it's worth a call,

INSPECTORS
Anthony Lavelle, 780-434-9995

Jazzyced

Thank you all for your suggestions and help.
I also obtained a couple of names from some racing colleagues.

I will post back on how it went when the car is ready (need new fuel hoses at the moment).

Cedric

tfi racing

Horsepower Solutions - 12514-128 St. NW Edmonton, AB 780-482-3966
Should be able to send you in the right direction.
Performance-Shop.com is a good local forum that should be a big help if you need anything in Edmonton or Alberta.

Jazzyced

So, I ended up going with Bluenose racing in Spruce Grove. They did a good job and Phil, the owner, knows his corvettes (and drives one as well...).
I can now drive my car happily around town. Although not today because of the nice 10 cm of snow we are having!

Thank you for your help.