Hello to the board,

I have had the Vette Bug for about 2 years now, and recently I've been toying with the idea of restoring one.

I was just wondering what the board thought, buy one in driveable shape and fix it as things break or need replacing, or get a project? How difficult is it to fix a Corvette? Any moreso than a different kind of vehichle?

Would appreciate any thoughts/opinions,
Denny

 

I'd say buy one in the best condition you can afford. It is much cheaper in the long run to buy one that doesn't need as much work. Except for the engine and transmission, Vette parts are much more expensive than parts for most other cars. I would at least try to find one with a good body, frame, and interior.

AC

 

In my opinion, it would brobably be best to buy a car that's in decent shape and fix things as needed and as time goes by. Working on vettes isn't very difficult as a rule but it is very pricey.


[Modified by theanswriz42, 1:53 PM 11/3/2001]

 

I would also go the route of buying the best you can get. If you go wiith a project, you need to be completely honest with yourself about both your monetary and time budget.

I bought mine as a project 7 years ago, and have yet to do anything other than drive and fix. I am now to the point where I basically need to turn the car over to a shop to complete, as I do not have the time to commit to doing it myself, as much as I would like to.

 

My $0.02

Assuming that (like me) you're not talented at every aspect of restoration, I'd normally say go for a car that already has had done, the things that you don't excel at. If it needs work that you can do yourself, then you're in pretty good shape.

But, given the current economy, I would think that you can get a good deal on a Corvette in very good overall condition. More & more every day, it's a buyer's market.

It sounds like you've been thinking about this for a while, so I'll assume that you've read the many posts, Websites, and books that point out common problems and advantages associated with various year Corvettes.

Good Luck.

 

Thanks for getting back with me, I appreciate your advice.

I am quite new to restorations, and it would probably be best to wait to do an all out restoration untill I become more experienced and do a few more vehichles, as well as start making more money to afford it!!

In the mean time, I will just keep saving up for a decent, running Vette like you guys suggested. I will not take a loan out for something like a Vette since it is a toy, I don't want to get in the habbit of borrowing money on toys.

I will get one soon enough, but untill then I will keep monitoring the Corvette Forum and drooling over the Sharks I see on the road. :D

Talk to later,
Denny

 

YUP Buy the best you can get. The rest will take care of it's (addictive) self

 

Here's the top I would give:

If money is easy to get, restoration is easy.

If money is hard to get, restoration is hard.

Pretty straight forward.

 

I have restored many different types of cars, 65 & 66 Mustangs, 69 Dart GTS, 69 Dart Swinger, 70 Barracuda Conv, 48 Chrysler New Yorker, 57 Chrysler, 41 Dodge Bussiness Coupe and the list goes on. Let me just say that now I am in the process of restoring a 75 Vette that I bought cheap and I am now breaking the 8000.00 dollar mark and haven't even driven the car yet or should I say the car isn't driveable yet. I do all my own work so that price dosen't include any labor. The only advice I can give you is buy something that you can enjoy right away, then if you feel like tinkering theres always something you can make better on your Vette. By the way, if you think Vette parts are expensive, try buying parts for a 70 Barracuda Conv. or a 48 Chrysler. $$$$$
Slide :flag

 

I've done it both ways -- bought drivers and bought barely driveable project cars. Based upon my experience, my advice would be to buy as much Corvette as you can afford and to get the best one you can find in operable condition. Drive and enjoy the car for a while, doing your homework and reading the Corvette reference material BEFORE taking on any major Corvette projects for your car. Once you have driven her and come to know her, THEN you can decide what she needs and/or what you want to do with her. Join a local Corvette club.
:)

 

I’ll never buy an unrestored Vette again… unless it’s a L88. I’ve restored many cars from the “Big 3” over the past 13 years and I have found the Corvette to be the least restoration friendly… and the payoff is not worth the effort.

 

Having owned only two Corvettes, I feel quite competant to talk on this subject. I bought my 66 in fairly good mechanical condition, i.e. a good driver BUT.... I spent eight years and over $6000 bringing this car up to my standards. And that didn't include any chrome work, instrument repairs or anything electrical. It involved an engine rebuild, complete rear suspension rebuild, strip and repaint, as well as new carpet windshield, etc, etc. It was always a fun car and very reliable despite its constant need for attention. When I finished it, I sold it for $6000+ more than I paid for it. And I did all of the work except for the engine rebuild and differential rebuild.

My 72, on the other hand needing nothing but a complete tune-up and fluid changes. I have done nothing to this car other than replace expendable items. It scored better than 95% at its first outing at a regional NCRS meet and was judged by some very critical folks.

The point is to buy the best car you can afford! :) You will still put money into it and still work on it but in the long run a great car, needing very little work, is more fun, reliable, and more relaxing to drive than one needing this or that.

Gary