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.
While I applaud your efforts I hope you have some kind of special connection with this car...
‘78 was a great year for me. I totally admit to the spell of youthful nostalgia associated with 1978. I was 23.
And it’s the lad’s first car. We lucked out big time with her straight solid frame. I bought a cheap welder that I’m practicing with now, to complete the skip-welds on the frame.
My first car was a ‘56 MGA 1700 convertible that I rebuilt & restored. I graduated from Humboldt in ‘78, got certified for SCUBA at Stanford. painting houses in Palo Alto, banking money. A year later, in June of ‘79, I drove to New York City & sold her in Manhattan.
The engine & frame got ice-blasted clean yesterday in a hail storm that lasted for about half an hour. My vegetable garden is all shot to pieces, but the car looks great! Chunks of ice came down hard in Ashland yesterday for at least 30 minutes, ice-blasting the frame & engine squeaky clean.
I got myself a new auto-darkening welding helmet, $40 on sale at Harbor Freight. The skip-welds on the frame look really bad. Also there’s something going on with the front-end…
I applaud your ingenuity, and the fact you're working with your son is awesome. I also have to say, you've got the most amazing background for your work compared to just about anyone I've seen doing restoration on a car. Keep up the great work!
You were MacGyver's technical advisor weren't you? Very creative, you are.
This is a great project. Who cares about the completed financial value vs project cost, like was mentioned earlier.
My son just graduated HS, turned 18, and is starting his first full-time job on Monday. I am at that "looking back" phase and wondering how much more I could have done with him. Glad we spent many hours together on projects, including my 82. Still seems like it wasn't enough.
I absolutely understand the value of the time spent and teaching him. It wouldn't matter if it was a 78 Chevette. It will still be priceless when done.
You Sir get the MacGyver Award for sure! I applaud your ingenuity for making the most of what is available.
I bet these pics will motivate someone out there who says they don't have the right equipment.
My son just graduated HS, turned 18, and is starting his first full-time job on Monday. I am at that "looking back" phase and wondering how much more I could have done with him. Glad we spent many hours together on projects, including my 82. Still seems like it wasn't enough.
I think this is part of every loving parent's thoughts. In my experience (she's a 23 year old now and living across the country), that nagging voice doesn't ease with time. Part of it must be grieving the loss of those opportunities, which aren't really lost, just not as readily available as the kids age.
Thanks guys, for all of the encouragement. I truly appreciate every message. We’ll see how it goes…
It’s hard for me to not just go out there & do it all ‘til it’s done. Since summer vacation started, I’ve cut him some slack, but he’s got to make progress on the project or he’ll learn that “when you snooze you lose.” His car could become my car if he doesn’t get it in gear soon. I told him up front that Id help him with it, but that I wouldn’t do it for him. And that I wouldn’t let it turn into a lawn ornament.
While I’m waiting for his work ethic to develop into what it needs to be, I’ve ordered Eastwood paints for the frame (inside & out — $100+); got a great deal on a 20 gallon air compressor & gun with extra hose ($200!); practicing welding with my new auto-darkening helmet; & have been watching car painting videos all week. Four black-tail bucks cruised by the other day to check up on our work.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Jul 7, 2022 at 09:07 PM.
I think this is part of every loving parent's thoughts. In my experience (she's a 23 year old now and living across the country), that nagging voice doesn't ease with time. Part of it must be grieving the loss of those opportunities, which aren't really lost, just not as readily available as the kids age.
Totally agree! My son has always grown up around our '72, even when I had it towed 8 years ago due to faulty wiring and sat ever since. Fast forward to Oct. 2021, his Senior year in HS, I figured it would be a no-brainer. He & I would work to get her going again, or so I thought. He wanted to take it to Prom in April 2022 so that was my goal, and I has thrilled that he even showed an interest in it.
NNNNOPE! His girlfriend doesn't like old cars (even though the entire interior / wiring was brand new). He didn't help, but in turn, he excelled at what HE wanted to do during this time, which was equally rewarding.
He drove it on the last day of his Senior year, minus some miscellaneous interior parts. So my goal was partially fulfilled.. but you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned grieving the loss of missed opportunities.
Polyurethane engine mounts arrived. Red & gold will look sharp on a satin black frame, after it gets wire brushed, seams welded, etching-primed & painted.
That tri-pod reminds me of the one my dad and I used on my 57 Bel-Air. That was 57 years ago and I still think about it. Your son will remember this for another 50 years and what he is learning cannot be purchased anywhere. Good job!
There are no straight lines. You do what you can, but there’s a limit to what you can do.
‘Go with the flow’ at Hillbilly Garage means letting go of expectations, being open to things unfolding, perhaps even better than could have ever been imagined.
That’s where it’s at with the ‘Vette project. The lad has backed off of it, hot for an old 4x4 pick-up truck now (Ford F-250 with a Cummins 151 engine).
I’m taking on the Corvette project 100% It’s turned out to be part of my retirement plan. Though there’s disappointment, part of that is my own expectation. I trust it will all work out better than previously imagined.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Aug 6, 2022 at 02:51 AM.
Today was a day for disassembling & wire brushing. I love my impact wrench & compressor. Never had one before. & the grinder is badass. I destroyed another wire wheel today. It was worth it… Before After The oil pan was nasty, caked-in oil&grime. The Flying Block Method for disassembly, cleaning & painting. It shines now, though seriously dented. Not sure whether I should press it out or just call it a mod. 😜 It adds 2” of clearance at least.
It’s all good. A restored ‘Vette is probably a poor choice for a car to learn to drive in. Downright dangerous, really. I trust he’ll absorb some benefit from seeing me follow-through with it, & help when needed without being tied to it.
Now, he’s got a classic bullnose beast, an ‘81 Ford pick-up that drives well, needs some electrical work & is a workhorse. I just gave him my chainsaw to go with it.
It’s got a bulletproof 8 cylinder Windsor 351 with a Holly carb & Edelbrock intake; set up for an auxiliary gas tank. He’ll be fine.
I could get kicked off the forum for posting a photo of a F*** so if I disappear 🫥 y’all will know what happened. I promise it won’t happen again…
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Aug 6, 2022 at 10:05 PM.
Reason: To add further comment
