Bought my first Corvette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Newport Rhode Island
Bought my first Corvette
Hi all,
After a lot of research on here and looking at many different vehicles I finally took the plunge and purchased my first Corvette. I just wanted to thank everyone on here for the wealth of information on here -- I could not have made an educated purchase decision without it.
The car: 1976 L48 T-top coupe. It's red with white leather interior and all numbers are matching. The car was professionally painted about 12 years ago -- and it's in great shape except for the front bumper. Mechanically the car is very sound -- but of course there are a few things that need to be taken care of -- insight on any of these items would be greatly appreciated:
-- front bumper is cracked (I decided to replace with urethane)
-- seats will need recovering eventually - they are not too bad but I decided some time this year I will invest in replacements
-- washer pump not kicking on (did some research on this -- I saw there is a relay that controls it -- anyone know where it is?)
-- AC compressor engaging when jumpered -- but not creating pressure. It looks like it is the original compressor so I am pretty sure it is shot. Do the re-manufactured ones usually come with the clutch?
-- All gauges work except for the oil pressure gauge. Probably needs a new sender -- I will need to test the gauge to make sure it is fine.
-- Coolant recovery appears to have a slight leak toward the top half -- will have to replace it
Here are some pics (sorry for the bad quality - taken with phone):
Thanks for all the help,
Fauxvette
After a lot of research on here and looking at many different vehicles I finally took the plunge and purchased my first Corvette. I just wanted to thank everyone on here for the wealth of information on here -- I could not have made an educated purchase decision without it.
The car: 1976 L48 T-top coupe. It's red with white leather interior and all numbers are matching. The car was professionally painted about 12 years ago -- and it's in great shape except for the front bumper. Mechanically the car is very sound -- but of course there are a few things that need to be taken care of -- insight on any of these items would be greatly appreciated:
-- front bumper is cracked (I decided to replace with urethane)
-- seats will need recovering eventually - they are not too bad but I decided some time this year I will invest in replacements
-- washer pump not kicking on (did some research on this -- I saw there is a relay that controls it -- anyone know where it is?)
-- AC compressor engaging when jumpered -- but not creating pressure. It looks like it is the original compressor so I am pretty sure it is shot. Do the re-manufactured ones usually come with the clutch?
-- All gauges work except for the oil pressure gauge. Probably needs a new sender -- I will need to test the gauge to make sure it is fine.
-- Coolant recovery appears to have a slight leak toward the top half -- will have to replace it
Here are some pics (sorry for the bad quality - taken with phone):
Thanks for all the help,
Fauxvette
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi F,
A NEW old Corvette, AND, just in time for Spring!
It looks very nice in your pictures so I'll bet you're really excited.
The item on your list about seat covers.... this is a job that you might consider doing yourself. It's a bit of work, but there's lots of guidance available from some of the manufacturers, and also from people here on the Forum that have done it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
A NEW old Corvette, AND, just in time for Spring!
It looks very nice in your pictures so I'll bet you're really excited.
The item on your list about seat covers.... this is a job that you might consider doing yourself. It's a bit of work, but there's lots of guidance available from some of the manufacturers, and also from people here on the Forum that have done it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Looks good. Quite common for flex bumpers of that age, to start giving up. This may end up being more costly, than you first thought though. These almost always need some filing/filling for proper fit, right out of the box. For the A/C, probably a leaky A6 compressor shaft seal, as also quite common. I wouldn't jump out any wiring, before getting the system serviced, or could just pull more air into it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Newport Rhode Island
Thanks all.
Alan -- I will look into doing the seat covers myself -- it does look to be quite a pain though to get them mounted on the foam. Unfortunately it does not look like they sell them pre-mounted for this year (at least I haven't found them yet).
Yes I figured that the urethane bumper is probably the least expensive ($200) part of the front bumper repair. I plan to have it professionally installed and painted/ blended in (one thing I never want to mess with is paint -- I speak from experience
). I will shop around to have that done. What do you think would be a reasonable estimate? I do want it done nice -- but then again I plan to drive this car regularly and not keep it as a museum piece 
.
Alan -- I will look into doing the seat covers myself -- it does look to be quite a pain though to get them mounted on the foam. Unfortunately it does not look like they sell them pre-mounted for this year (at least I haven't found them yet).
Yes I figured that the urethane bumper is probably the least expensive ($200) part of the front bumper repair. I plan to have it professionally installed and painted/ blended in (one thing I never want to mess with is paint -- I speak from experience
). I will shop around to have that done. What do you think would be a reasonable estimate? I do want it done nice -- but then again I plan to drive this car regularly and not keep it as a museum piece .
Last edited by Fauvette; Mar 25, 2012 at 06:30 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Good looking car. You're hooked. I hate to tell you this, but it seems like there is always a little thing here and there. If there isn't you'll find one or two. Looks like it will be a fun drive.
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