Prime Vette time...
Mofo Money pit
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
Likes: 0
From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
**** Money pit
Un restored 79.
I always end up breaking 2 things while repairing/replacing one thing.
Havent even got to the big ticket items yet.
I always end up breaking 2 things while repairing/replacing one thing.
Havent even got to the big ticket items yet.
Last edited by Disco_Mike; Jul 3, 2007 at 04:44 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Were all in the same boat. Once you ever get the hole filled in, they are pretty fun cars. Keep pluggin, been there.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
Did not get to drive mine for 15 months while I was doing a frame off. The reward is when you take a little ride and everything works. If you have a few trouble free outings then you get less stressed when you drive it. Just hang in there and it will all be worth it
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I am in the same predicament. Every part that I am replacing requires 2 additonal pieces to be replaced that I did not know about. I replaced the shocks on my 75, only to find out that the left rear strut is bent, and the shock tower has been grinded down like the wheel came off. Now that explains the bent strut rod.
It keeps costing more to keep this thing running.
kdf
It keeps costing more to keep this thing running.
kdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
For a second there...I thaught this post was about me!
The way I keep this in perspective is it is ONLY a hobby. If I depended on this car to get to work.......I'd have to have sold it by now.
The way I keep this in perspective is it is ONLY a hobby. If I depended on this car to get to work.......I'd have to have sold it by now.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
same boat....and mine is sinking....
Yeah, same here. Thing is, so far, money isn't really the thing, knock on wood. It's all little stuff. Like, I had to buy a new master cylinder, so yeah, 50 bucks later, I am looking at my brake lines, and they need replacing.....so another...20 bucks and freeking 10 hours later...I get back under it to see what's up with the parking brake, and the cable was loose. So, I take the wheels off to tighten it, and....VOILA!!!! Absolutley NO parking brake system on my left rear wheel. I mean.....nothing. No pads. No springs. Empty. The right wheel has everything, though the pads are worn out....So.....now it's gonna be yet another 60 bucks or so, and god knows how many more hours, and by then, I am absolutely sure I will find something else by that time. All I want to do is be able to pass inspection.......SIGH.
Bottom line is, I hate working on cars. I LOVE driving them. I live to drive hard. If that's not screwed up, I don't know what is.
Bottom line is, I hate working on cars. I LOVE driving them. I live to drive hard. If that's not screwed up, I don't know what is.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
A few years ago, I realized that when I start a project, no matter how small, I might as well go all in and replace everything related to it. So, when it was time to replace the thermostat, I ended up with a new Dewitt's radiator, new hoses. Then I realized that since I had the coolant out of the engine any way, I might as well install my aluminum heads. That means new rocker arms, centerbolt valve covers, head bolts, etc. etc. Whenever you go to replace something, it is typically just the tip of the ice burg.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I got a boat parked at a friends house. There is no engine (new one in my storage) The last 2 yrs hurricanes schredded the canvas covers. And there is a friggin tree growin in it. But on occasion, we have cocktails at 5 on the Aft Deck.
Money pits are not necessarily a bad thing
Money pits are not necessarily a bad thing
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
C-5's and C-6's never get the attention that a clean C-3 with a little rumble from the sidepipes. And don't forget thet they are still depreciating.
Last edited by coinwasher; Jul 4, 2007 at 09:17 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Fairview TX
Not all of us. C5/C6 are belly-button cars. My daily driver is a bright yellow F250 4x4 that was about the same price as a new C6. C6's are wonderful cars, but I'd rather drive my truck.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
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From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
thankfully this is a hobby.
I do like working on cars but dont like to fiddle with daily drivers unless I have to.
Thankfully, the car has been in the family since 1980 and in really good shape. There are only a few things wrong with it. mostly minor stuff.
I do like working on cars but dont like to fiddle with daily drivers unless I have to.
Thankfully, the car has been in the family since 1980 and in really good shape. There are only a few things wrong with it. mostly minor stuff.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
I have learned that when I am going to do something on the 78 vette that I haven't done before, I* usually have to do it three times before I get it "just right."
But doesn't it feel good and make your day when you get it "just right"?
I also own an boat and a couple of airplanes and do all the maintenace on all of them. When it comes to money pits the cars don't even begin to approach the boat and planes. What I have to spend on the 78 Vette I am restoring is chump change compared to what I have to spend to keep the 1967 airplane in the air.
I have a C6 Vette and let me assure you it gets alot more attention than the C3. It is the biggest babe magnet I have ever seen, much more so than even the airplanes. I have been approached by more women in the last year because of that car than in the past two decades. If you are single and want to meet some interesting women, get a C6. I am happily married so all the attention from women is more of a chuckle than serious, but it is still enjoyable.
But doesn't it feel good and make your day when you get it "just right"?
I also own an boat and a couple of airplanes and do all the maintenace on all of them. When it comes to money pits the cars don't even begin to approach the boat and planes. What I have to spend on the 78 Vette I am restoring is chump change compared to what I have to spend to keep the 1967 airplane in the air.
I have a C6 Vette and let me assure you it gets alot more attention than the C3. It is the biggest babe magnet I have ever seen, much more so than even the airplanes. I have been approached by more women in the last year because of that car than in the past two decades. If you are single and want to meet some interesting women, get a C6. I am happily married so all the attention from women is more of a chuckle than serious, but it is still enjoyable.