C3 "Frankenstein" Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
C3 "Frankenstein" Question
I'm a C5 owner (previously a '95 C4 owner), but have an undying love of the C3 born of my youthful lust for the then-current chrome-bumper cars. One of these days, I'll have a C3, the questions are when and which car. Both may be related to the idea I have -- which may cause terror among purists. For completely irrational aesthetic reasons, I'm fixed on the idea of a chrome bumper car. But I fear that the delay that now lies between my present situation and when I can afford the money and time for a pure "hobby car" will send early C3 prices thorugh the roof. An idea I've considered is getting a later C3 and ... making it LOOK like an early C3 by replacing the rubber-baby-bumpers with new/repro chrome-bumper parts.
Is this possible?
Has anyone ever done it?
If it's possible, can it be done well enough to look good?
Will people shoot me if I do it?
Is this possible?
Has anyone ever done it?
If it's possible, can it be done well enough to look good?
Will people shoot me if I do it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
If I were approaching a project this way, I'd find a 75 or earlier convertible. Required body and frame work could be done. I wouldn't shoot ya; how may keep these year vettes showroom stock anyway. Don't know anyone who has done it, but it would look as good as you make it. Sounds like a good project.
P.S. I get asked "what year is that corvette" all the time anyway!
P.S. I get asked "what year is that corvette" all the time anyway!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 4
From: Cambridge Ohio
First off, I'm no expert!
But, since the frames on the C3's are pretty close to being identical, that shouldn't be an issue.
Seems like the hardest part would be converting the rear section back to a chrome bumper style. Front would be easier.
Of course this would probably cost as much to convert (along with car price) as it would to buy a chrome bumper project car.
Just my .02
But, since the frames on the C3's are pretty close to being identical, that shouldn't be an issue.
Seems like the hardest part would be converting the rear section back to a chrome bumper style. Front would be easier.
Of course this would probably cost as much to convert (along with car price) as it would to buy a chrome bumper project car.
Just my .02
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 2
From: Champlin Minnesota
1. Is this possible? With enough $$$ anything is possible, though not practical.
2. Has anyone ever done it? Not to my limited knowledge.
3. If it's possible, can it be done well enough to look good? See answer #1.
4.Will people shoot me if I do it? I would not shoot you, I think it is a good idea, but not practical on a finacial level. Probably cheaper and better off getting a real chrome bumper. If cost is an issue get a chrome bumper that does not have matching numbers, as matching numbers car's value are skyrocketing.
2. Has anyone ever done it? Not to my limited knowledge.
3. If it's possible, can it be done well enough to look good? See answer #1.
4.Will people shoot me if I do it? I would not shoot you, I think it is a good idea, but not practical on a finacial level. Probably cheaper and better off getting a real chrome bumper. If cost is an issue get a chrome bumper that does not have matching numbers, as matching numbers car's value are skyrocketing.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
It will be expensive, impractical, will end up looking very very strange and will make you the object of ridicule, especially from the corvette community. So, does that dissuade you? Or does it make you say to yourself, "That settles it! I'm going for it!" ???
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Swapping rubber for chrome is much more involved than first appearances might lead you to believe. To begin with, chrome bumpers are pricey and none of the assoicated (and required) under car brackety (front and rear) is being reproduced. That will require you to scare up a long list of thirty-something year old parts. My advice it not to attempt the swap. If you want a chrome bumper car, start with a chrome bumper car. Nothing wrong with rubber. You could buy a nice rubber bumper car, drive and enjoy it for a while, and trade for chrome at a later date.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Mar 22, 2006 at 03:58 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The front frame sections of the chrome and rubber bumper cars are pretty similar, but the rear sections of the frame are very different. I did some research into using a 79 frame for a 72 body, and looking at the frame dimensions convinced me that it wouldn't be practical.
Rick B.
Rick B.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
I've done alot of custom Glass work and yes you can build anything you want. The key here is that YOU have to do it . If you hire people to do your work, then this is not a worthy project. I would use fiberglass bumpers and glass them onto the "ruber bumper" vette. Alot of people say the seam will show through, but if it's done right it will be homogeneous.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Find a chrome bumper Project car
Check out the deals on eBay. Plenty of chrome bumper cars with frame rot or missing parts. The former 427 (now 350) from little old lady from Minnesota with severe frame rot and scale is an interesting one... Probably have to dip or replace all frame and suspension pieces on that one... But it WAS a 427/390 coupe with TH400...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by jackson
Conversion is irrational & not advised.
Buy a project or completed bumper-car.
Buy a project or completed bumper-car.
if you are gonna throw the $$ needed to do that, just buy a steel bumpered car...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Thanks for all the replies -- I guess I had figured that it would be easier than it seems would be the case based on the replies from folks who should know. As for getting a non-numbers-matching car, I have to confess that I'm looking for a 69-72 that's been "messed with" -- frankly, the "sluttier" the better as far as I'm concerned. I'm not looking for something to win restoration accuracy prizes with, but rather something to fulfill the postponed fantasies of someone who was 13 in 1970.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I see what you are thinking of doing, a chrome bumper clone, like the Chevelles turned into CHevelle SS's and regular Cudas turned into AAR Cuda's ( happend to do that myself ) or even turn them into HemiCuda's. THis is very popular in the hotrod community right now and is accepted as long as you are not trying to pass your clone off as the real thing.
I think however you will see that it would be frowned on in Corvette community to try to turn a 75 into 69 bumper car to the point of ridicule
) or even turn them into HemiCuda's. THis is very popular in the hotrod community right now and is accepted as long as you are not trying to pass your clone off as the real thing. I think however you will see that it would be frowned on in Corvette community to try to turn a 75 into 69 bumper car to the point of ridicule
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
good condition chrome bumper vettes have risen quite a bit over the last 8 years but are still relatively inexpensive. Just make sure you have someone who really knows these old vettes check the frame and birdcage as they are so prone to rot then you are into big $ and aggravation. Many of the good C2's and C3 68 -72's went stateside when our dollar was in the $.60 US range. Personally I wouldn't touch any with frame rot just too much $ and work to do.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: atlanta GA
Buy a rust free california frame (about $1000) add aftermarket suspension to taste. Buy a one piece front clip (about $1500) and a one piece rear clip (about another $1500). Custom fabricate structure to mount fiberglass to frame. Crazy idea? Sure. Do some kit car guys do such things? Sure. Just an idea. At least you wouldn't have butchered an otherwise fine car. If it wasn't a fine car to begin with then you would probably end up replacing / taking apart / rebuilding / repairing / overhauling / improving... most major parts anyway.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Originally Posted by applevette
Buy a rust free california frame (about $1000) add aftermarket suspension to taste. Buy a one piece front clip (about $1500) and a one piece rear clip (about another $1500). Custom fabricate structure to mount fiberglass to frame. Crazy idea? Sure. Do some kit car guys do such things? Sure. Just an idea. At least you wouldn't have butchered an otherwise fine car. If it wasn't a fine car to begin with then you would probably end up replacing / taking apart / rebuilding / repairing / overhauling / improving... most major parts anyway.