When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am starting this thread to begin cataloging the process of this restoration.
Purchased for $5,700. The person I got the vehicle from got the car in a house auction and this was in the basement. Has sat there since 2002. Has just over 58k original miles. The gentleman that got the house was interested in furniture and antiques only and looking to get rid of the car. The same guys family owned a automotive garage where they a complete brake job (hoses, calipers, rotors, pads, fluid), set points and condenser, distr. cap, AC Delco plugs, coolant, service/lube and topped all fluids off, new lugnuts, and new Cooper Cobra tires. I have the receipt for all their work as they kept track of how much they were putting into the car (nice to have as I catalog the restoration for myself). They put over $1000 in parts alone, not included the service time. All of this was part of the 5700 price tag (they originally were asking $6,500 for it).
My hope is to continuously update this thread as the build progresses although this will be a marathon and not a sprint. I am very excited to learn about these cars as I progress and look forward to everyone's opinions and input throughout this journey.
Last edited by Skootter14; Oct 1, 2022 at 12:52 PM.
Good for ya! Glad you got it and you'll learn a lot. When you take the interior apart, you'll want to keep all those fasteners organized, by where they go. That's because each part of the interior, seemingly has its own special screws, I kid you not. They are most definitely not "all the same" and they won't work anywhere else. I will help you out, as I just developed and patented a bag and tag system for taking apart cars and light trucks. I'll include a photo below, as I have two body shops trying it out, as well as one of the Motor Trend TV shows trying it out. I'll send you an interior bag set free, just for your thoughts on this. There's a preprinted bag or tag for about 90% of the common interior parts and assemblies and blank bags for those, that aren't. Send me a private message and we'll talk more about it.
Carpets and that seat upholstery go in the dumpster. Most of the rest of the interior is restorable. Mostly just refinish. Dash and door panel cracks can be repaired and those parts fit your car. New parts will not fit as well. So don't be too quick to toss interior parts. And boy are we glad you ran from that 81...
Last edited by derekderek; Feb 14, 2019 at 06:34 AM.
Welcome.
It takes time to get the interior clean, but at least you have Premium door panels.
Here is a pic of mine too just to keep you motivated.
I did a lot on the stereo upgrade, if you are interested. I hate anything on the ground in the back compartment,. I prefer to keep that area clear for the t-roofs
Nice Ride - Looks just like my new to me 75 stingray -
Glad you stepped away from the other one Ugh! Good Luck and if you need any advice i maybe able to help. been working on my interior and wiring for the last 4 months.
BTW - Those wheels look like late 70's Trans Am honey comb wheels
Thank you all for the replies. Im overly excited to get this going. I washed it today which brought the paint back to life! (minus the bubbles and a few cracks in it). Ill post a few more pics from today, when I can. Tried to turn it over again but the wires from the ignition are pinched along the column AND the wire running to the starter solenoid is SO frayed. Theres a trickle on the battery as well that I'm sure if not helped by this. I hear the solenoid click on the starter but not sure if the wiring or battery got too low. It did start (after a few attempts due to this same problem and I did ride in it before purchasing so I know it starts, drives, shifts, etc).
Also cut out the wet carpet in the floorboards to get the fiberglass drying down there. Found a through and through crack on the driver side floor in the glass.
I'll check out the kick panels and I think I know where you're going: everything that I could visually "inspect" on the birdcage and frame is hardly touched by rust (given the age of the vehicle). Underside is a little more surfaced rusted but the pillars on the cage and top, looking through the windshield and with the Ttops removed looks outstanding!
You might want to purchase a 1974 Chevrolet Service Manual and a copy of the Assembly manual (The AIM has illustrations of how to put things together).
Did you install your new lugs nut yet?
Are you in North Carolina?
When you are done and it's still white. I think you should add some red pinstripes to it.
When I was 12 a white Vette rolled up beside me with Red pinstripes and I fell in love with the combo. I never thought I would be able to afford one. Here we are 40+ years later and I have one. Still not white though.
1974 Stingray Build Thread
