Can A Corvette Be Built From "Scratch" ??
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Can A Corvette Be Built From "Scratch" ??
I noticed that a few companies are selling reproduction frames for the c1-2 era. That said, can you build (start there with the frame) a Corvette that technically never left a production line using parts offered by these various companies? Aside from the VIN tag can you buy everything needed to make your own car? Kind of like a person without a birth certificate!
#3
yes you can and many people have done it. Just look at the Cobra kitcar world - same analogy.
Legally you can title it as a non-Corvette using the MSO from the manufacturer.
Depending on your state you might even be able to incorporate a section of a genuine frame with the vin stamping and title it as a real Corvette. Lots of vintage Ferraris are done that way but do your research as not legal everywhere.
R
Legally you can title it as a non-Corvette using the MSO from the manufacturer.
Depending on your state you might even be able to incorporate a section of a genuine frame with the vin stamping and title it as a real Corvette. Lots of vintage Ferraris are done that way but do your research as not legal everywhere.
R
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2006
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Hi r,
If you're thinking of a car that is sort of like a 68-82 Corvette…. maybe.
If you mean a car that looks just like a 68-82 Corvette…. I think not.
There are parts that simply no one is reproducing.
For example, seat frames, exterior ss trim, door frames and internal hardware, to cite a few.
I wonder what it would cost to build a car from ALL reproduction parts?
$150,000?
Regards,
Alan
If you're thinking of a car that is sort of like a 68-82 Corvette…. maybe.
If you mean a car that looks just like a 68-82 Corvette…. I think not.
There are parts that simply no one is reproducing.
For example, seat frames, exterior ss trim, door frames and internal hardware, to cite a few.
I wonder what it would cost to build a car from ALL reproduction parts?
$150,000?
Regards,
Alan
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks Alan! Yeah, the price would exceed the final value of the car BY A MILE! - By the way, I love reading your input on the various topics here. You knowledge of these cars is second to none!
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MISTERZ06 (05-22-2017)
#8
There are 3-4 companies that do (although I think they all focus on the Grand Sport). There used to be a company that I believe is gone that made a C2 body to drop on a 80's midsize chassis (cutlass, regal, monte). Check the kitcar mag...
http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/k...azine-digital/
Here is a listing for a guy in Florida for a C1 in my local CL....
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/6117073824.html
http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/k...azine-digital/
Here is a listing for a guy in Florida for a C1 in my local CL....
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/6117073824.html
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; 05-22-2017 at 08:27 AM.
#9
Burning Brakes
Why not just buy a basket case for 2-5 K that has a VIN and Title. You would also have a ton of the small parts that are hard to find. You could still start with a frame from a supplier or even a frame that has the suspension built and ready to go.
Ned
Ned
#10
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
Of course that would be the logical thing to do! But it seams like it is possible to build a car that was never sold from a dealership
#12
Burning Brakes
Ned
#14
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
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Example: I built a 1934 fiberglass street truck using a rolling chassis....ALL aftermarket parts were available
total invested including paint job was $15,000.
Corvette........sky is the limit.....bidding starts at $30,000
total invested including paint job was $15,000.
Corvette........sky is the limit.....bidding starts at $30,000
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#15
Team Owner
I think there is a factory in China where they are making precise replicas of 67 bigblock convertibles with sidepipes. Their craftsmanship is so excellent that even the best NCRS judges cannot determine they are totally counterfeit. They get dinged a point here and there for using "reproduction" parts, but the entire vehicle is manufactured from scratch in China. (wink, wink... well, it could be true)
See, they were manufacturing so many reproduction parts (Someone would send them an original part with a request: Can you make something exactly like this for 50 cents a piece? I can sell them here in the states for $99+ shipping.) Finally they figured out they can repro the entire vehicle!
See, they were manufacturing so many reproduction parts (Someone would send them an original part with a request: Can you make something exactly like this for 50 cents a piece? I can sell them here in the states for $99+ shipping.) Finally they figured out they can repro the entire vehicle!
Last edited by PRNDL; 05-23-2017 at 12:35 PM.
#16
Burning Brakes
'63-67 bodies are available along with about everything to build a restomod. C3's are more plentiful so the demand just isn't there for a reproduction. The 63-67 bodies sell for $15,800 from Custom Image Corvette. www.customimagecorvettes.com
Last edited by blue67ragtop; 05-23-2017 at 10:35 PM.
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MISTERZ06 (05-25-2017)
#17
Race Director
I am building a C3 restomod on a custom chassis, about as "ground up" as can be done - I would have been interested in an aftermarket body had one been available - however as described above - not worth it.
Find a car that "no one" in their right mind would use - then use it. That's kinda my build in one sentence.
I'm happy to answer any questions.
Here is a link to my build
Find a car that "no one" in their right mind would use - then use it. That's kinda my build in one sentence.
I'm happy to answer any questions.
Here is a link to my build
#18
Safety Car
short answer, No you can't. Many parts are not available. how about a C3 firewall? although you can find them used on EBAY if you look long and hard enough.
yes on 1st gen camaro, and yes on mustangs, and yes on 55-57 Chevy, yes on 32 ford.
someone did that exercise once using the parts book from GM and determined the price to build an entire car using GM ordered parts was over 10 times the price of buying the car off the dealer lot.
yes on 1st gen camaro, and yes on mustangs, and yes on 55-57 Chevy, yes on 32 ford.
someone did that exercise once using the parts book from GM and determined the price to build an entire car using GM ordered parts was over 10 times the price of buying the car off the dealer lot.
#19
Safety Car
define from scratch, I had to replace every fiberglass panel except the floor board and firewall, to restore this car, I wanted original panels so I simply bought the used panels I needed, separated everything at the seams and replaced with original panels no Reproduction. appears as it left the factory.
Before,
After...
Before,
After...