Rookie suggestion: Make sure the upper and lower control arms (A arms) are in the correct locations on the driver and passenger sides of the frame.
An incorrectly installed A arm will cause the wheelbase measurement to be "Off".
A "sagging nose" will cause hood alignment problems...(it is possible to adjust the "saggy nose").

Same here...I know the feeling

 

This car has a huge advantage over any other Corvette with the possible exception of one 1963. It was Your Dads and therefor has sentimental value that can not be replaced. Watch any TV Car build show and the Time and Money spent is always way over what the Cars are worth. Just watch Barrett Jackson for 20 minutes and try to figure what they cost to build and what they sell for.
There must be something else going on besides the frame to get the Hood Pins off by 1 1/2" that is a lot. How do You know one side is an Inch shorter than the other ? An Alignment Rack is generally needed to get this.
Your father was a master mechanic to build this car but I can say that what passed for good back then doesn't today. Some times when they say they don't build them like they used to is a good thing. !0 years ago I got to looking at my own Fab work on my 80' and came to the conclusion that who ever did it must of had not much more that a Cutting Torch and a Hack Saw. Yes that what I started out with 40 years ago.
I would take it to a Frame Shop if You can still find one. Posting Pictures of areas of the Frame that look worked on may also help. The worst would be a replacement Frame, and they are avalable rust free in the Pacific North West.

 

This is some of the best advice I've ever seen on this Forum, and I see that you understand.

I am sorry for your loss. Hopefully an alignment shop will find something simple to fix, like a bent control arm. There are several recent examples on the Forum of cars with similar issues.

If you can do the work yourself (and perhaps get help with problem diagnosis, etc), and you enjoy doing the work, these cars can be a lot of fun. But be aware of what else you are missing out on while you are in the garage. If you are paying someone to do the work, just sell the car now. My wife's 79 came with receipts from the previous two years totaling more than the car cost us to buy. Living a life free of complications is golden.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

I have a 68 that is part frankenvette but I love driving it almost every weekend. Blasting off is so much fun and it gets interest and comments where ever we go. Make it safe and reliable first and then have fun with it. If I had something perfect I would be reluctant to even drive it. Enjoy!

 

"I'm a bit sad that everything he did has just complicated my life."

Hi James, hang in there. Think of it this way - what your father did was VERY inventive. It was what he wanted to do with the car given the situation, his evidently very high skill level, turning the car into 'his car, his way'. It sounds like there are some items to check first, and the advice has been solid. If it looks like it will become too expensive or labor intensive to completely 'fix it right (whatever that is)', as long as it's safe, drive the heck out of it and enjoy. It's a very nice looking and unique custom that's a tribute to your dad's passion for the car and his abilities.

As you check things like the frame, control arm correctness, etc. you'll know what might need to be done. Keep sharing what you find, and the helpful members of this forum will provide solid opinions and guidance. Pretty cool that you have this car from your dad!

 

I have found a local mechanic that I'm trying to reach that knows about c3 vettes. I really appreciate all of the ammunition you all have provided me to be able to ask the right questions, specifically A arms in the right place and nothing damaged. My initial post I was really discouraged. I'm feeling pretty hopeful. That pic was taken about a year back at a church car show. The car won pastors choice trophy. I told the pastor about dads dementia so it was kinda rigged. Dad is still with us so I apologize for using the wrong word "inherite". It had dual quads when I got it. I had a hard time getting it to idle below 2k rpm. I've since put a single edelbrock and it's doing well.

 

If he is still with you, try to get him and the car together, whether it is by your side as you work on it, or take him for a ride if possible.
You will not regret it it, no matter how much effort it seems to be at the time.

If he has not been outside for a while, or in the car for a while, I will bet it will spark his memories.

 

Here's a recent thread with a similar alignment/wheelbase problem. @leigh1322 in particular contributed a bunch of measurements and diagrams. If you can post similar photos of your car, it may help to get some more eyes on the problem.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-me-crazy.html

The trouble areas at the rear are always the trailing arm bushings and strut rod bushings. You can DIY those, but once you have the trailing arms off, the work often spirals in to an expensive, and much needed, rear-end rebuild. Many perceived handling issues with C3s are from issues at the rear, though, and just doing the strut rod bushings may help tremendously.

I hope it works out with your new mechanic. Please take some photos while it's on the lift!

 

i do that. I think he is a bit disappointed that I took off the dual quads but I have the support of one of his LONG time friend. Since 1962. We take short drives. I want to get these 2 problems delt with before I drive too much. The trophy means a lot. It's in his room. I'm going to get it up on trailer and take pics. Thanks for your advice

 

I would bet he didn't change birdcage