Just purchased 1970 454 that previous owner changed front to 1973. Seems strange to make this mod but why I was able to get at a great price. Anyone know where in northeast I could get this changed out and approximate cost?

 

Depending where you actually are located, there are shops. Also how far you want to travel. Depending on if you care about originality also can change pricing. So a lot depends on you! Aftermarket clips can range from 1,200 and up. Labor fees can be costly also. Again depends on what you are looking for in your car. I would think more people would question the 73 clip.
ZIO

 

"Northeast" takes in a lot of ground. Look for an automotive body shop in your area with Corvette experience. Have you considered paint? With the clip swapped, you are likely to want/need exterior paint.

 

There is a place in northern Kentucky great work good price called Vette Barn
call Austin 606 224-4645 he as a studder s be patient
their e mail Vettearn1956@gmail.com

 

I live in Pa....I bought this vette from a bodyshop owner who for some unknown reason decided to replace the front end with a 1973 from ecklers. Who know maybe he liked 73 and wanted to change out. Also rear clip has extended fender wells....which looks cool. The numbers and registration prove to be a 1970 454 390hp. Original motor and 4 speed m22....no option car. For that reason he has not been able to sell it cuz who in their right mind want a 1970 that looks like a 1973. Frame is unbelieveable with absolutely no rust and interior original in great shape. Has documented proof of 65k miles....story goes that it was in storage 30yrs prior to bodyshop guy purchase. Long story short guy needs money bad and is willing to let me have it for 11k. Now I am a 2 bumper c3 guy and I figure this car is worth more than 11k w/o changing the front end. All I want is a driver and this car has unbelievable power and for all intense and purpose needs nothing. Just wonder what it would take to change the front to a 1970.

 

Let me know if you undertake the front clip change. I'm re-doing my 73 and if your front clip is in decent shape I may be interested. I'm in central jersey. Taking off and replacing the front clip is doable but the others are correct that you likely are in for full re-paint. Depending on how "good" you want the paint job to be the cost can add up. Let me know.

 

The front clip has never seen the road..... it was installed the car was painted and then he moved and needed $$$. I put the first coat of wax on it when I got it home. I do not have necessary skills to do myself and my original question was if done..... where and at what cost?? The approximate cost figure will drive my decision.

 

You could try Contemporary Corvette in Bristol, Pa. I haven't been there in a few years but they had a yard full of C3's.

 

I`m confused, this being the parts for sale/wanted page are you buying or selling anything?

 

I have a front clip I'm taking off a 69 Stingray. Of course the gills in the fenders are different than the 70 but I also have 70-? Style fenders. I'm near Johnstown Pa. If you're interested me a pm.

 

Moving thread from Parts For Sale to General.

 

where are you located and phone number...cant pm you for some reason


steve

 

I live near Johnstown Pa. In Jerome Pa. Message me at motionwannabe@aol.com

 

The Corvette Image in Oregon has the correct match molded fiberglass front ends avalible that exactly match OEM style assemblies. Question is how much is the car worth and how much do you want to spend. One piece front ends are less than 1/2 the cost of an OEM style front end assembly but, will drastically effect the value of your car.

 

A one piece, hand laid fiberglass replacement nose goes for around $1200-$1500, a good used original 70-72 nose can be anywhere from $1000-$3000, depending on condition and how complete it is. A correct, jig assembled, press molded reproduction nose is around $5000. You can also figure another couple hundred dollars for truck freight, to get the nose delivered.

Since you have a 73 nose now, you will also need a front bumper for about $400, this is for the US made repro, which is the only one that fits correctly. You'll also need 69-72 front bumper brackets, for about $200, 70 grills which run about $1300 for the new repro's, or $700-$1000 for nice used original ones. New bumperettes are about $350 a pair. You'll be able to re-use the headlights from the 73 nose, but you'll need new marker lamps, at around $50 each, and you may need a core support and radiator, depending on what's in the car now.

If you have a 73 nose, you probably have the long 73 hood, that eliminates the 70's wiper door assembly and grill. If so, figure at least $500 for the wiper door and parts. The lower valance and front air dam, will need to be replaced also, since the 68-72 pieces are different than the 73 up ones.

Obviously, if you can find a complete used nose, you'll have less to buy to complete the swap. Personally I would try to find a 70-72 nose. The 68-69 nose is similar, but the side louvers, side marker lamps, grills, grill brackets, grill moldings and bumperettes are different, plus the body work needed to change the side fenders.

I've got to figure the labor to pull the old nose and hang the new one, could be in the $2000-$3000 range, and maybe more for a used nose that needs work. You can expect to pay as much as $10,000, for a quality repaint of the whole car, here in the "Northeast".

We've narrowed down your location from the Northeast, to PA, but where in PA are you? PA's still a pretty big state. I can recommend a number of very capable Corvette shops, in the Eastern PA and Southern NJ region, but that won't help you much if you're in Erie.

 

Hi. I am in Jerome Pa .15 minutes from Somerset or Johnstown and 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh.

 

looks like you might just almost double the price you paid for that car..

but.. you will have about 22K into it for a big block original motor with brand new paint.. might be worth it..

this might be a case where you actually get a discount on the car from the price that it will take to make it correct.

also. it cannot be an original M22 tranny.. they didn't come on 1970 big blocks (ZR1 only)