Well I have finally decided to do something I have wanted to do for a long time. Restore the first car I ever fell in love with. That's right, the Stingray. I am thinking a '69 or '70. I already own a 2001 and the C3 is what got me addicted to Vette's.

Any advice from anyone who might've gone down this path. I have seen a local ad for a '69 vette project car. Frame off restoration but I think they stopped short of completion. They are asking 8k.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Jason

 

I see you live on the East Coast. Watch out for rust! It can crop up in any one of a number of places... none of them good. (Frame, birdcage, window frames, rear deck etc.) Make sure it runs... (don't laugh, you'd be surprised how many of these "project" cars won't even turn over.) Plan on spending 3-4 thousand on necessities right off the bat. Including brakes, interior, electrical, just to make it safe. Oh yea... very important... Have fun! :cheers:

 

Surf around here for awhile...see the time and money we have sunk into these cars. If you like what you see and can stomach the $$$...well, it's a lot of fun!
Just don't look to make any money when finished...
That sounded too negative...my '74 is my favorite posession, wouldn't trade it for pretty much anything (within reason) and I plan to keep it forever. But it's not an investment and sometimes it can be a pain in the butt.
Jeff

 

It depends on how far they got and what shape it's still in.
Go take a look at it and take some pictures. Everyone here can
give you an idea. Take lots of pics.

Look out for the rust. Check out my website pics of the 75 for a nightmare.
Compared to what the 75 was like, my 70 is a dream.

:seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 11:54 PM 4/7/2003]

 

What they said. I'd go one step farther than posting the details here--I'd use the neighbor finder feature and contact some of the C3 forum members in your area. I'm certain you'll find someone who'd love to go along and take a look at the C3 trouble spots with you. I've done a couple of this "ride alongs" myself here in austin with other forum guys, & boy do some of these fellows know these cars!

JB

 

None of us ever listen- but my advice is: Buy what you want all done. I'll GUARANTEE you it'll cost LESS than a do-it-yourself resto.
:yesnod: :lol: :lol: :yesnod:

 

Well part of the project is to put some blood, sweat and tears into it. Also $$$. So I will keep this forever. No doubts about that.

Like I said, I would probably like to find a Vette with the Chasis and Frame off work already done.

What kind of questions do I ask to make sure this has been done if they advertise: Frame Off ?

Also, When I go and take pictures of the car, what are some good angles or areas to photograph, and to just look in general for rust?

 

You won't be able to get at the most troubled parts of the frame without lifting
the body. You might be able to poke around wit ha screwdriver to get an idea.

For birdcage inspection, the easiest thing to check is the four lower corners.
Remove the two front kick panels. The bottom of the door pillar is exposed.
Infront of each rear wheel is a body mount access panel. Take these off and
look inside. Lastly, evidence of windshield frame rust can often be seen peeking
out around the inside edges. Look through the windshield to inspect around the edges.

If the body is mounted back on the frame, ask the guy if he has pictures of
the frame-off progress. People are usually willing to show off their work.


Massvette is right - it is ofetn cheaper and faster to find one that someone
has already restored ... but what fun is that ? Also, how can you guarantee
that the resto has been done correctly - without taking the car apart anyway ?

:seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 11:17 AM 4/8/2003]

 

Take it from me. Buy one as complete as possible! :yesnod: If they have started taking pieces off of it make sure they are all there and that the owner has some idea as to where they go back. :confused: I bought mine as a running car but it also came with three boxes of parts that included everything from ac ducts to interior peices. :smash: I have had to ask countless stupid questions about where does this or that go. BUt in the end hopefully it will all be worth it. I am like you I fail in love with a '68 tri power car when I was in high school and always wanted a chrome bumper vette. If that is your dream go for it and have fun. :cheers:

 

Chris,
The '74 looks GREAT! Looking at your website, did you have to do any Chasis/Frame work on the car?

Also, did you use any books to help you with the process?

Jason

 

There are three or four good reference books available, and by all means get an assembly manual (AIM), the '53-82 GM parts CD (as seen on E-Bay), and the shop manual. You'll definitely spend more building one yourself, but you will know every nut and bolt when your done. I found it very satisfying to do it myself, although I doubt it will ever be trully finished! Good luck.

Hans

 

Well someone was going to look at the car right after I called, but here is the initial information I got. Tell me what you guys think... asking 8k for this '69 Vette:

body taken off, all redone.
car is gutted.
only thing inside is electrical system.
doors on car
glass in car.
new door panels.
new interior, dash pad, dash. in boxes
bright blue int/ white
4 speed
motor - rebuilt, drive train all new
frame painted
new brake lines
new front end, new springs, new cluth, new drive line
body put on the car, bolted
interior needs to be redone, car's in prime, new wiring harness
headlights need to be put back in
wiring needs to be hooked up.
new radiator, all hoses hooked up.
heater a/c out of car
new seals. weather stripping in box, need to be installed.
rust taked care of, frame had rot, that was fixed, sandblasted
in garage since ... '90 zero miles since started being re-done.

 

What do you guys think of the above?

 

I think you're looking at about $10k in additional outlay, plus hundreds of hours of labor. Both those figures are based on you doing most all the work on the car yourself. If you're farming out the work, subtract from the hours, and add about $45 per hour to the monetary outlay portion of the equation. Do you have the facilities, tools, time, and ability to assemble a car yourself?

With a car that's been in boxes for over a decade, there's no telling what small parts are missing. You'll be amazed at the cost of some of the most minute parts which are no longer available.

So, you know the car needs paint. Figure $2k minimum there if you do all the prep yourself. What kind of shape is the chrome in, assuming it's all there? Emblems, bezels, rocker panel trim, misc interior parts all add up into hundreds of dollars of expense. Is it the original motor and drivetrain? How long since it was rebuilt? Small block or big block? Is it a coupe or convertible? If 'vert, how is the top frame, top, etc?

Not trying to rain on your paradae, but picking up a partially disassembled restoration in progress is a very daunting task. Make sure you're aware of the pitfalls before jumping in. Why do you think you see so many of these cars for sale in a "partially restored" state?

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.
Shannon

 

Here is some more info:

350 engine 30 over, pretty much stock, everything new. 9:1 compression.
fuel system - new, gas tank is new, new gas line.

rot, shop fixed, welded section rear control alarm goes into frame. painted frame
carb is on it.

everything under the body as been re-done. nose glued to body.
hoses need to be hooked back up

power brakes power steering.

 

It's a Coupe.

What additional outlay do you think will be needed?

Also another question. I really would like a telescopic steering wheel, does power steering not offer this?

I understand it will be a lot of effort to achieve the finished project. Personally I think I am ready for it and also have the time. I am 24 and living with my parents and have a good Full-Time Job in NYC. I have the $$$ and I have the time (knock on wood).

From what it sounds like so far, is this a good project car for me to buy or would another one be better?

Thanks,
Jason

 

Quote "rust taked care of, frame had rot, that was fixed, sandblasted" Quote

I don't like that statement. If the frame had rot and rust how was it repaired???I personally would not buy a car that had frame problems unless the frame was replaced. With any project you have to start with a sound foundation, otherwise you will be throwing good money after bad. There will be a lot of nice cars for sale this spring. I would pass on this one. The cardinal rule is always buy the best car you can afford.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

I'm doing a 69 and 72 over now with a 75 on deck. They'll take me years to finish working on them part time. I don't care about getting them done fast.I drove them for over 20 years so I had them in my younger days.
If you have the tools,room,and money then anything is possible. What I would do is look at a lot of vettes first,then pick one you can drive. To start rebuilding a car that's been sitting apart for years and taken apart by who knows who is a BIG jump into restoration. You don't want to be the next guy selling it in a year becuase it became overwhelming. See if you can find one with good body and paint but needs mechanical repairs and start there.
Good luck with what ever you decide. I think $8k is lot for a car that needs this much work and would really look into the rust repair that was done.
Gary

 

Jason,
Sounds to me as though you really want this car. You already have a daily driver so I say go for it. Take your time on assembling the car and ask lots of questions to the forum. Before I did my resto on my 74 I had never picked up a wrench. I did it, therefore so can you.

 

Well I guess the big question here is:

Car that was started as a project OR

Car running that I can start as my project.

What are the feelings here on that?