Barn finds. what do I have here
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8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
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I restore C-3 frames for a hobby in retirement now. The 1968-1972 frame is in all practical purposes the same frame. The 73 had a front rubber bumper, rear chrome bumper, but it hung on a 72 frame with some hole differences up in the nose. The 74-77 frames are similar, mounting points are the same, but front and rear bumpers are different. The sub-bumper frames are vastly different on the 68 and anything 1974 and later. You could set a 68 body on a 81 frame, yes. The mounting of the eight body mounts are close, so you could make that work. Where you will need serious modifications to make this work are the front end, and rear end areas of the body to mount up to the frames. Specifically, the rear of the 81 frame won't match the rear of the 68 body at all. Different lengths, different widths, and much more. Can it be done, sure, with modifications. Will you find it affordable, not likely. Look up a 68 Corvette Frame, then look up an 81 Corvette frame, and you will see some of the differences. Have people done it, yes.
Good luck with your decisions.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
Good luck with your decisions.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
would you be able to supply a link to someone with frame dimensions? I haven't had a lot of luck on google
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
We build some serious vintage BMW's and thought I'd try my hand at piecing some vettes together that are collectively viewed as trash or worth nothing. A modified unpure corvette is better than sending them to the scrap yard which is where the owners of the building want them.
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8th Gear
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BTW I'm located in south central PA (York) if anyone wants to come give me some first hand knowledge I'm more than willing to learn.
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St. Jude Donor '10
David
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8th Gear
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Le Mans Master
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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594186600
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Correction on my first post where I said " You'd have the 78-82 interior (which in my opinion is much nicer looking than the older C3 interior) ".
If you use the doors from the red car then you'd use the 78-82 door panels but other than that you'd be using the 68-76 interior.
If you use the doors from the red car then you'd use the 78-82 door panels but other than that you'd be using the 68-76 interior.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
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From: Virginia USA
Correction on my first post where I said " You'd have the 78-82 interior (which in my opinion is much nicer looking than the older C3 interior) ".
If you use the doors from the red car then you'd use the 78-82 door panels but other than that you'd be using the 68-76 interior.
If you use the doors from the red car then you'd use the 78-82 door panels but other than that you'd be using the 68-76 interior.
The round gauge, no useless glovebox interior looks light years better than the newer C3 interior IMO.
OP - I say go for it. You have the basic and by the way you describe yourself you have the skills to do it. Even though it's a Frankenstein it will still be a C3 body style that is timeless.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
If that '68 center section and rear body are in as good a shape as they appear in the pictures, you should really make it available to somebody who actually needs a straight body to replace their damaged body or rusted bird cage. Attempting to hack together two entirely different era C3's will just end up leaving two piles of **** instead of one.
Of course, that's just my opinion. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.
Of course, that's just my opinion. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
You have a month to decide. Get red body gone and see if frame is worth assembling. Read the 10 rules sticky and check the black body's birdcage to see if it is worth assembling. Make a list of what is not there. Start pricing said stuff. Individual pieces will suck you dry in no time. That is why I say you need a 3rd car for a parts donor. There are a lot of half done Vettes for sale in pieces. That red car is not the worst i've ever seen , but it is close.
Last edited by derekderek; Jul 4, 2018 at 05:56 AM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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The front is glued onto the body so its not an easy bolt on process. You could buy a complete nose kit and you can buy a 68 or 69 frame from a corvette recycler. Look on the parts for sale forum. Is the door glass still in the 68? does it have electric windows?
Missing so many parts including the wiper system, a road racer would be an excellent choice. Orrrrr rebuld it as a 69 thru 72. The 68 parts are one offs and you would easily double or triple the cost getting 68 specific parts. You would just need the 68 door lock parts
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Jul 4, 2018 at 01:37 PM.
Senior Member
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
Yes. And if structurally sound, they can save a rustbucket that sat outside too long. Here is a crappy example. Overpriced but would provide most of the missing stuff. https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...596517768.html
Last edited by derekderek; Jul 4, 2018 at 08:33 PM.