VetteofSD

Hi everyone! I've acquired a 1974 Corvette convertible just this morning from a relative. Very excited and very sudden! I've had my '06 C6 for some time and they decided to surprise me with a gift - AKA get it out of their garage!

I want to give it the works before attempting to start it of course. New fluids, battery, and so on. Just to be thorough. It sat for a while in their garage, last started 3 years ago. Never had any issues when it was parked. My aunt (owner) had a hip replacement and just couldn't get in and out of it easily anymore, so they just stopped using it.

About the car:
L82 350ci
Automatic Transmission
Manual convertible
Front bumper disintegration (common issue allegedly?)
Fairly difficult to close driver door?

Planned before starting:
Done:
New Battery - electrics, lights, all functional
New breather filter

Planned:
Oil - (Went off the manual for this) Castoral 10w-40 "dino" with additional zinc additive - not done

Coolant System Flush - According to some threads, the "GREEN" (Prestone) coolant 50/50 mix works for these. Can anyone confirm that?

Top air filter looked excellent. Great translucency, planning to leave it alone.

Transmission fluid looked excellent. planning to leave it alone.

Many C3 veterans one here I'm sure have discovered the in and outs of these cars. So anything I haven't listed that I should check prior to starting would be helpful! I do every ounce of my own work on my current cars, but a classic car is a new area for me so I want to do it right! Thank you all very much!

71 Green 454

Congrats on the '74 Convertible...sounds nice. I hope you enjoy it!

I would replace the belts and hoses just to be on the safe side. I have not had a hip replacement and I still have issues getting in and out of mine.

RonR80

Congrats but of course we will believe you when you show pics .

mortgageguy

I question the prestone coolant. I suggest the Zerex conventional. I once used the prestone all makes and all models coolant and eventually had problems.

Alan 71

Hi pw,
Welcome!
A 74 CONVERTIBLE as GIFT!!!!
Very Nice!
I hope it turns out be a good car and gives you a lot of pleasure.
Cars this old, (even Corvettes), generally require a bit of 'tending' as time goes by. Hopefully nothing too serious, but be prepared for there to a list with generally a couple of 'things to do' on it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

What is a C6?

71 Green 454

Stingre'

[QUOTE=Alan 71;1594612165]Hi pw,
Welcome!
A 74 CONVERTIBLE as GIFT!!!!
Very Nice!
I hope it turns out be a good car and gives you a lot of pleasure.
Cars this old, (even Corvettes), generally require a bit of 'tending' as time goes by. Hopefully nothing too serious, but be prepared for there to a list with generally a couple of 'things to do' on it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

What is a C6?
A vertebrae I believe

1969RAY

A little late to the congratulations line but the brakes should be checked. Not so much the pads but the fluid and the calipers. Check for a good firm pedal.
Then maybe a little oil in each cylinder, and fresh gas in the tank- before you hit the switch. I bet it will start up nicely.

dochorsepower

Congrats on the acquisition an welcome to the C-3 ragtop club. Do the things outlined above, especially have the brakes checked, and then put the top down and drive it.

Makonut

What everybody else said. Also check obvious things. Horn,wipers, and lights. Door could be new spring time and maybe the hinge pins.

Paul L

Just drive it.

doorgunner

Congrats!



And buy a camera for road trips!

ddawson

Skip the coolant for now. Replaced it once you can get the car hot.

After 3 years the seals on the Q-jet may be bad with CA alcohol content.
If it was me I'd plan on a rebuild.

Go over the brakes and do a brake fluid bleed and check for leaks.

I like to always makes sure it stops, then look at making it go.

MISTERZ06

WOW - what a pretty-pretty Corvette
the Burgundy interior with the Burgundy paint makes this Corvette really - POP
........................ tom

VetteofSD

Thank you everyone for the great information! I'm very happy to join the C3 club!

This weekend will be my project weekend so I'm hoping for some good news an maybe a quick cruise after everything!

Electrics seem to be great! My headlights, brake lights, signals, and brights all function well. Horn is great & the radio sounds good too! Only one interior light on the passenger side was out. Not bad!

My brakes looked great, but a brake system fluid change will definitely be added to the list.

As for the oil selection, Does anyone see any issue with my Castoral 10w-40 "dino" with zinc additive choice? I read a plethora of oil threads, including the oil sticky thread. I saw this combo appear a few times other threads and it lines up for the temperature here in the manual. So I think I'm okay. Definitely going to take 1969RAYs advice and put a tiny bit in each cylinder. Just want to be thorough!

I'll hopefully get a picture or two on here once I get it cleaned up! Again thank you everyone for the great advice!

midigike

One thing that is important is a rear deck protector. Just a clear, or black piece of heavy vinyl that self sticks with static to the paint and prevents the convertible top weather strip from scratching the paint. Cheap and effective.

vetteguy75

CONGRATS ON OWNING A CLASSIC AMERICAN CONVERTIBLE SPORTS CAR!!

vetteguy75

I've had mine going on 18 years! When I bought it, it was a nice, plain-jane Corvette Convertible and over the past 18 years, I've added the roll bars, the front spoiler, redid the interior, replaced the original engine (still have it on an engine stand in my garage), dressed out the new engine, and changed the wheels and tires, added the luggage rack. NEXT on the plan is for a new paint job. I drive mine everyday...even in the rain (but not in the snow/ice). Have fun with yours!! Love to see some pictures of yours....