Just an intro
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 43
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Just an intro
I'll be hanging out here absorbing all the knowledge to restore a '73 we just bought for the wife. It's been a bucket list car for her since she was 10, so after semi-seriously looking for a few years, one came up. It's a '73 coupe, L82, 32k miles original, auto, tilt/tele, leather, orange (Ontario Orange in '73?), alarm, PW, A/C, rear defogger, SSBC brake upgrade with Dot5. Runs OK, but needs a tune up and will be converting the ignition to Pertronix first thing. This'll be her weekend driver (hence the screen name) since she never really took to the '31 coupe I built for her.
Going to be doing the normal things first... tune, decarb, filters, fluid flushes. Then getting into the little stuff like the door panel clips and leather detailing. Paint (original color) is scheduled for the end of October by a shop many here will recognize from Corvette mag, Super Chevy, etc.
Prepare yourselves for a slew of stupid questions in the months to come. I know street rods and ground up builds, but this is the first 'vette.
Going to be doing the normal things first... tune, decarb, filters, fluid flushes. Then getting into the little stuff like the door panel clips and leather detailing. Paint (original color) is scheduled for the end of October by a shop many here will recognize from Corvette mag, Super Chevy, etc.
Prepare yourselves for a slew of stupid questions in the months to come. I know street rods and ground up builds, but this is the first 'vette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 412
From: Washington State
Welcome! My bride has an 07 and it is hers. It is entertaining when I drive it and get comments. I always let them know it really is not mine but is hers!
Congratulations on getting her dream for her!
Scott
Congratulations on getting her dream for her!
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
Welcome to the forum! That is a beautiful car with the current paint.
If it's for your wife, don't ever drive it! I made that mistake and had to buy one of my own with a manual. I did get to drive hers to work today, though.
Best of luck to you!
If it's for your wife, don't ever drive it! I made that mistake and had to buy one of my own with a manual. I did get to drive hers to work today, though.
Best of luck to you!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 43
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Thanks. The paint is a 20 footer which is why it's headed in for new paint. Our other cars are OT for this board, but as long as the wife's happy with this it's all good.......
Last edited by Its_hers; Sep 19, 2018 at 12:17 PM.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 43
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Fun time this weekend. Converting the ignition to electronic first thing, then it's time for a complete tune up. After I pull the seats out, the wife will be spending quality time with leather conditioner on the seats (sweat equity). Goal is to get the interior detailed this weekend and getting it running up to par. Pics to come......
Last edited by Its_hers; Sep 21, 2018 at 10:44 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
You are asking about the color. Post a pic of the trim plate on the driver's door sill. And welcome a new addict to The Forum. You have a bigger problem than most of us though. We have to sneak around behind our wives backs and buy stuff for our cars. You two are codependents.
Last edited by derekderek; Sep 22, 2018 at 05:52 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
Welcome to the club! Sounds like we have a lot in common! My wife & I (35 years in December) have been building cars since we were married. Sold some, kept some... (see signature line). We played with a 1931 Chevy for many years, but the DMV kept giving us trouble getting a title for it. So we ended up parting it, & selling it off. We made some money on it, so with extra cash & garage space, SHE decides..."Let`s go look at this 71 Corvette!" So the Pontiacs are "mine", Mustang is "hers", and the Vette is "ours"....at least for now! 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 43
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Welcome to the club! Sounds like we have a lot in common! My wife & I (35 years in December) have been building cars since we were married. Sold some, kept some... (see signature line). We played with a 1931 Chevy for many years, but the DMV kept giving us trouble getting a title for it. So we ended up parting it, & selling it off. We made some money on it, so with extra cash & garage space, SHE decides..."Let`s go look at this 71 Corvette!" So the Pontiacs are "mine", Mustang is "hers", and the Vette is "ours"....at least for now!
This weekend I'm going to try a cut and buff on the vette. It's going in for paint next month but I hate seeing cars like this when they can be improved. A day or two of colorsanding with 2000 grit and a buff and it'll look a lot better.
Last edited by Its_hers; Sep 22, 2018 at 12:54 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
let the paint ride awhile. you are gonna find dis, dat and de odder ting need done. and you will be worrying about the new paint as you do them. I had a gearhead spousal unit. wish I coulda kept her. she is now among the premier custom bike painters on the planet.
Last edited by derekderek; Sep 22, 2018 at 01:08 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
We've been together for 30 years and had a few vehicles. Currently she has a '14 Header Orange Challenger 100th anniversary edition, a '31 coupe I built for her and the Corvette. I have a truck for a DD and am building a '32 3 window drag car. We like all kinds of cars, but the vette will be around a while.
This weekend I'm going to try a cut and buff on the vette. It's going in for paint next month but I hate seeing cars like this when they can be improved. A day or two of colorsanding with 2000 grit and a buff and it'll look a lot better.
My youngest son is a serious gearhead too, and loves the old classic cars. My FAVORITE shot of the 31.....
