I wasn't sure whether to put this in the, "parts for sale/wanted" section, or the, "C3 general discussion" section, but since the pieces I want to buy/sell aren't ready at this time, figured I'd write the message here.
I've got a custom 1969 Corvette I wrote about prior to now but am thinking that maybe I could keep the car and have a 'drivable project.' On the car is a wrap around rear window from a 1978 model and two front fenders with the "egg crate" gills from the 1970-1972 years. I'd want to change that and have the correct rear upper deck with removable rear window and shark gills of 1968 and 1969. The car is black and I'd want to go back to Le Mans Blue also.
If I went ahead and did this work, it would probably be in one or two big shabangs. How often do people part out fiberglass body panels on this forum? If I did buy panels from someone here or brand new panels, would somebody want my fenders and/or my rear upper deck with rear glass?
My other alternative is to sell the car. I don't like that idea at all because I don't know when I'd get another chance to get a car I really enjoy driving (read- Corvette.) But at the same time I need a car I can go out and start right up whenever I want to go do something. I'm a little ways off from getting the money to buy new or used body panels and being able to sell mine, i just need to make sure there is a supply and demand out there for what I'm thinking of doing.


[Modified by 1969Vette350, 3:02 PM 7/29/2002]

 

i have to wonder, would there be as much money and time involved in getting used/salvaged panels as there is with new replacements? you figure your going to get a 30 year old body panel that will likely need fiberglass work, prep, prime and paint. versus brand new from ecklers or MAD. plus i think selling the panels that you remove could help offset the cost of buying new parts to make the car 'right'. just my two cents, it's really easy for me to spend your money.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes I do wonder about the quality of used versus new panels, that's why I was asking if people actually sold fiberglass panels here or if just going through one of the many catalogs was the answer. I know for brand new parts the fenders I need are like $170/ea. and the rear upper deck is about $580. That is only getting the parts I need, I'll spend $920 in addition to shipping and tax, not to mention any assembly costs. With the painting being an issue, I'd probably do the fenders, upper deck and paint all at once. I guess one thought would be to strip the car, and then when I have money to paint it could do it then? Any other ideas as how to tackle this project? I know driving a multi-color car can be done, it's just not very attractive that way, especially on a car like the Corvette is.

 

i'm curious to know if your project is a NCRS type project? i've seen complete front and rear clips for ~$1000 a piece but they're not the factory type molded ones. of course it's been awhile since i looked at body panels so i could be way off here.

 

NCRS - National Corvette Restoration Society?

Yeah, I'm not really in a position to buy two complete end pieces at this time to make the car right. I'd rather buy the parts I need and call it good.

Going back a post, I was thinking about selling my used pieces to help offset the cost of buying the parts I need, I was just hoping there would be a demand for something like that. I guess when I have the time and money to get the new body panels, I will post my old ones for sale and see if there are any takers.