Tell me what is involved with a body off resto. and what comes with the body and with the frame? Thanks for any help.

 

With a body off resto, you take the body off. :D

Okay, okay. I've never done this. But I believe you need to remove as much of the interior as possible. Dash, seats, etc. You also need to remove anything in between the passenger compartment and engine compartment. Steering linkage needs to be disconnected, a/c type stuff, wiring. You get the idea. It's time intensive, but it's the ultimate, if you want to resto the right way. I voted against this, initially, because I had neither the skills or the desire. But I may try it later.

Good luck if you go with it.

 

I have been down a couple of years, lost a bunch of stuff and spent around $10,000- $15,000.....It all depends on what you want to accomplish. I went with a new suspension, 700R4, stroked motor, new interior, 2 tone paint job sidepipes, trailing arm rebuilds, rear end rebuild ect..ect...ect...
I hope to drive it this year sometime :yesnod:
Neil in Tenn


[Modified by Nomad78SA, 9:31 PM 4/23/2002]

 

It does sound like a lot of work. How do you not get discouraged. Good luck with getting to drive it this year. Ray

 

I am right in the middle of a body off resto!!! :yesnod: I'm almost ready to start putting the body back on. I replaced or rebuilt everything on the drivetrain including the engine, trans, rearend, T/A's etc... Every nut, bolt, bushing on the frame has been replaced. I started right before Christmas and have devoted every last minute of my time to my 69 vert and I think it will be well worth it.

 

Here's a site I came across that lists all that needs to be removed or disconnected and explanations on how to
do each step http://www.yl-gazette.com/tech/mackay.htm

 

I'm into a body off restoration right at 3 years now.
Make sure you want to take the time to do it and do it right.
Getting the body off is pretty straight forward putting it back on and putting everything back together takes alot of time.
Make sure you label all of the parts you take off and take plenty of pictures to help with the re-assembly.
The key word I say is "TIME" and would imagine all of the other guys would agree.

 

Time and space is def a limiting factor.

Space: It should be an area totally devoted to the project. Dont try to share the space with any other projects, or be in an arera that has allot of traffic. You WILL loose stuff, etc= money.

Also, allot of frame offs stay that way. Some folks become either overwhelmed, or become frustrated, or loose interest. Also, you will find stuff that needs replacing, and even if it seems servicable at the time, should be replaced as a matter of course. That equals big money in parts alone

 

Forget abought a frame-off, it will cost you a ton of money and time and if you are not very handy, After all that work and money you will end up with a piece of junk. To profesionaly restore a C3 you are looking at $45,000 to $60,000

 

Yes. Be VERY meticulous about labeling your parts and keeping everything organized. Space is also a critical factor. Also, do it when you have the time to finish it. It sucks when you lose momentum and take time off. That's when stuff gets lost and you forget how it goes together. Trust me, I'm restarting my frame off now after 3 years. My last car I worked right through and it was pretty easy.

Frankly I think you'll find that some things are so much easier to restore with the body off that you'll be glad you did.

 

Yes Time, That's the question I'm not sure I can devote that much time. I like the shark alot but there is always work to be done.

 

BIG BUCKS. That's alot of doe.

 

I bet that hurt your pocket book. What caused the lift to fall? I hope your ins. was paid up to date.

 

See my progress:





More to follow.....

 

The Yankee Lady instructions are good.

As for choosing whether or not to do the project...it's the satisfaction. Sure, anybody (well almost anybody) can pay to have a car restored, or even buy a fully restored car. But the feeling you get when you stand back and look at what you've done, every step along the way, it's an incredible feeling that few things rival.

My project has been off and on again for years now. I agree with everyone who touts the need for documentation and reference materials. I haven't ever done anything like this before, and people I know just don't seem to understand. But that's ok, on I go. When it's done (maybe you're never really "done"), I will enjoy the fruits of my labor -- having saved the cost of other people's labor (netted against all the tools I had to buy).

Best Wishes.

 

Thanks for the link. I've been thinking about body-off but didn't know for sure what all had to be removed. I was discouraged to read some of the other comments but after visiting your link, I'm not quite as concerned. I had a lot of the stuff disconnected this winter (pulled & rebilt the engine) and it wasn't too bad. Just a lot of time.
Gary

 

Do you want to remove every item on the car, then clean it, repaint it and replace everything that is worn? Count on spending enough to buy another car or two and when you're done, you'll have a really clean frame and a new looking car. Let's put it this way, if it needs all that you'll have to decide if it is worth it. This process is usually done for the dorks who have more money than brains who buy these cars as collectors items and have them sit in a warehouse. The money spent is seldom recovered and the guy who buys the car gets a brand new Corvette complete with all the tags, inspection numbers and factory items...except that they're NOT the factory items but reproductions. If you have Cable TV, watch the Barrett-Jackson Auction next time it's on. You'll see all kinds of cars with frame off restorations that bring big bucks and the guys who buy them all seem to fit into the same mold. I think, as a practical matter, it's better to drive the car, enjoy the car, take care of the car and when it needs that frame off restoration....get rid of the car and buy another. My Corvette was built in 1969 and I've had it over 30 years, maintained it, driven it and it still looks pretty good. The frame is probably dirty...but really....who cares?

 

I am in the middle of a body off and I am not a dork or certainly don't have more money than brains. I just enjoy the Hell out of my Vette and want it to be in the best condition as possible, but I don't think that gives me the label of being a dork or have money! That's like the stereo-type of every body that has a corvette has money. :bs IMO

 

Not everyone who drives a vette has money? Hrm, DOH! Here I am waiting on the checks to start coming in cuz I got a vette, and you have to go burst my bubble.

 

That's my point exactly. These :bs stereo-types don't pertain to everybody.
Sorry for bursting your bubble. At least now you can stop waiting on that check. :D