Corvette Hobby Thoughts - Long Post
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
How timely! I'm new (this is my first post) and am trying to learn all I can before possibly buying a C3. Until I convince the wifey to let me get one, I can at least I can have fun learning all about them: )
I'm not a total noob, but close! I have a 914 I'm having fun learning how to fix, but it's a completely different car. I also have done minor work (tuneups oils changes, transmission fluid change) on my 2011 chevy truck.
1. I've read the post about what to look for, and this one. Is there anything else people who want to buy need to know? Other posts I should read?
2. I'd like to take someone with me, or have a pre-purchase inspection done. Is there anyone in SoCal (northern LA area) who does this?
3. This car came up on craiglist: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/an...818162886.html
Any thoughts on what to look for? The seller states the birdcage is solid. He's selling it because he's moving. Seems motivated.
4. Where are good places to buy parts?
Thanks for any help and advice.
I'm not a total noob, but close! I have a 914 I'm having fun learning how to fix, but it's a completely different car. I also have done minor work (tuneups oils changes, transmission fluid change) on my 2011 chevy truck.
1. I've read the post about what to look for, and this one. Is there anything else people who want to buy need to know? Other posts I should read?
2. I'd like to take someone with me, or have a pre-purchase inspection done. Is there anyone in SoCal (northern LA area) who does this?
3. This car came up on craiglist: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/an...818162886.html
Any thoughts on what to look for? The seller states the birdcage is solid. He's selling it because he's moving. Seems motivated.
4. Where are good places to buy parts?
Thanks for any help and advice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
ALLC34ME..others..some sage advice and thots for those contemplating such ventures..no matter whether it's a hobby car, a home..or what.
MY grandpa used to tell us boys.."plan the work & then work the plan"..and he also said often..( We were farmers) " IF you don't take the time to do it well..WHEN are ya gonna find time to DO IT OVER?"
lastly.. I think Clint Eastwood said in one of his old movies.."A man's got to know his limitations.."..Magnum Force 1973..I was recently back from 6 yrs in SE Asia and working as LEO in Washington D.C.jim
MY grandpa used to tell us boys.."plan the work & then work the plan"..and he also said often..( We were farmers) " IF you don't take the time to do it well..WHEN are ya gonna find time to DO IT OVER?"
lastly.. I think Clint Eastwood said in one of his old movies.."A man's got to know his limitations.."..Magnum Force 1973..I was recently back from 6 yrs in SE Asia and working as LEO in Washington D.C.jim
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
Great post!
I was able to become a student of corvettes through a rolling restoration of a 1975 I recently sold. And by working with forum member Hooah on his 69 project. That first hand knowledge (with much of it gained here with your great advice) is invaluable. That practice car of mine turned out pretty darn nice, but I don't think I'd have stuck with it unless I could drive it along the way... So I definitely agree with Alan's advice about seeing the progress.
The OP's pre-purchase considerations might very well be as much must read as the 10 things to know sticky post. Great stuff.
Maybe this is just rephrasing what's been said earlier in this thread, but I think it's also important to consider how much help you'll have along the way too. Whether it's a wife, son, or buddy (Thanks, Hooah) that helps hold the new windshield, doesn't maybe matter so much as that there is --someone--. Much of these resto's are solo gigs, but there will nearly always be times when you need someone to assist you in your garage. If you don't have that someone, that should probably be factored in to the decision.
I'm looking forward to following this advice to letter before my next C3 purchase. Thanks!
I was able to become a student of corvettes through a rolling restoration of a 1975 I recently sold. And by working with forum member Hooah on his 69 project. That first hand knowledge (with much of it gained here with your great advice) is invaluable. That practice car of mine turned out pretty darn nice, but I don't think I'd have stuck with it unless I could drive it along the way... So I definitely agree with Alan's advice about seeing the progress.
The OP's pre-purchase considerations might very well be as much must read as the 10 things to know sticky post. Great stuff.
Maybe this is just rephrasing what's been said earlier in this thread, but I think it's also important to consider how much help you'll have along the way too. Whether it's a wife, son, or buddy (Thanks, Hooah) that helps hold the new windshield, doesn't maybe matter so much as that there is --someone--. Much of these resto's are solo gigs, but there will nearly always be times when you need someone to assist you in your garage. If you don't have that someone, that should probably be factored in to the decision.
I'm looking forward to following this advice to letter before my next C3 purchase. Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
1. I've read the post about what to look for, and this one. Is there anything else people who want to buy need to know? Other posts I should read?
2. I'd like to take someone with me, or have a pre-purchase inspection done. Is there anyone in SoCal (northern LA area) who does this?
2. I'd like to take someone with me, or have a pre-purchase inspection done. Is there anyone in SoCal (northern LA area) who does this?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,696
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
The real challenge for me was not knowing enough about the regulations and not knowing enough about the car. More importantly, I didn't know what I didn't know. I ended up spending over $1k on a $3k car to get it to pass. One of the real annoyances was $250 for a carb rebuild. I later learned about the CCC and that mine was working fine. In retrospect, I don't think they touched the carb and just pocketed the money. The reason that it failed was it had a "test pipe" in place of a catalytic converter. I didn't even know such a thing existed. Again, knowledge is key but knowing local people that had been through it would have saved me a world of pain.
By the way, in CA it's 1975 and older that is smog exempt.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
Great advice in this thread... I got impatient in my search and jumped on a '73 car two years ago...
I was blinded by the fresh(ish) new red paint and shiny new wheels and tires. What I thought was a good deal turned into to only a fair deal once I got it home.
I've spent a few thousand dollars plus countless hours of my own time bringing the car up to my acceptable standard.
It is a decent car now, but with the time/effort/$$$ I've spent, I could have bought a much nicer car to start with and saved myself a lot of trouble in the long run.
The old Corvette journey continues.
Tell us your story so well feel better about ours....
mardyn
I was blinded by the fresh(ish) new red paint and shiny new wheels and tires. What I thought was a good deal turned into to only a fair deal once I got it home.
I've spent a few thousand dollars plus countless hours of my own time bringing the car up to my acceptable standard.
It is a decent car now, but with the time/effort/$$$ I've spent, I could have bought a much nicer car to start with and saved myself a lot of trouble in the long run.
The old Corvette journey continues.
Tell us your story so well feel better about ours....
mardyn
Last edited by mardyn; Oct 22, 2016 at 09:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
My long and ugly journey is documented here on the forum here.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...barn-find.html
If only I knew then, what I know now, but so it goes.
Live well.
David
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...barn-find.html
If only I knew then, what I know now, but so it goes.
Live well.
David
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
I have enjoyed the learning process, the planning, the work..and the expense..Most of all..I enjoy the finished work, done well and the driving yet to be done to enjoy the first absoltely Impractical car we have ever owned..At our age( some of us anyhow) have had enuf of being practical to last a lifetime...
Lastly..in most of our lives, we all have memories of things we might have done better, Not done at all..
but one cannot go back in time and redo or undo a single thing..Concerning our appreciation of great cars..
That's why the windshield is so much bigger than the rear view mirror.
Much more important to be able to see clearly where we are wanting/needing to Go in this life than to dwell on where we have been.
the caveat to this is we DO try NOT to repeat past mistakes and when we can..do our best to help others who travel the same roads on this journey..so they might better avoid life's potholes and hazards..Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 34,034
Likes: 222
From: Land of Thunder
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
Space. Gotta keep it somewhere, usually the garage which means one of the daily drivers (yours, most likely) gets to stay outside so cold mornings are spent clearing snow, worries about potential hail dings and all get to the point where your project budget is now going to garage expansion. Don't forget a car taken apart takes up a bunch of space.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,114
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
David,
I just read you post and can say this should be an introduction included in every corvette book.
I can not find 1 argument in the post.
I purchased a driver, 10 footer to be specific... 68 BB in 2011.
I probably could not sell it today for the 2011 purchase price.
But in my nativity, I can say I was fortunate I found a BB AC 4spd car w/ many desirable options ie....P/S, P/B, Tele wheel, AM/FM stereo.
I now like this coupe better than the convertibles of this era.
Originally, I was searching for a convertible bumper car w/o any set guidelines on engine or options.
I again was fortunate but not everybody fairs as well.
Great insight provided for the young and certainly a good overview for the older buyer/owner.
Thanks,
Marshal
I just read you post and can say this should be an introduction included in every corvette book.
I can not find 1 argument in the post.
I purchased a driver, 10 footer to be specific... 68 BB in 2011.
I probably could not sell it today for the 2011 purchase price.
But in my nativity, I can say I was fortunate I found a BB AC 4spd car w/ many desirable options ie....P/S, P/B, Tele wheel, AM/FM stereo.
I now like this coupe better than the convertibles of this era.
Originally, I was searching for a convertible bumper car w/o any set guidelines on engine or options.
I again was fortunate but not everybody fairs as well.
Great insight provided for the young and certainly a good overview for the older buyer/owner.
Thanks,
Marshal