newbee where to start???
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 91
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From: Denver Colorado
newbee where to start???
Well I finally bought my first Corvette. Unfortunatly it's car in a box, so to speak. It was a 1972 convertable big block with a 4 speed. The last few owners have managed to collect most all of the parts to put it back together, and the price was right. Mechanically and electrically I don't think I will have too many problems, but I have never done any body work or paint at all, and I have never taken on this big of a project before. It is a little overwelming. So the $64,000 dollar question, is where do I start??? :banghead:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
This is THE place to start. You will find more knowledge here than in most books. This is the best corvette forum and people on the planet. There are no stupid questions so do not be afraid to ask. These car are unique and lots of folks have "been there, done that" and are will to share and in some case even come and help. :grouphug:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 862
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From: CT
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
Welcome, this is the best place to start. Ask your questions and these guys and gals will help you out. The wealth of knowlege here is amazing. Good luck and post some pics of your new baby.
Mike :auto:
Mike :auto:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: newbee where to start??? (My69)
What those guys said. Body work on a vette is fairly easy. Since the car's in pieces, I would start with making sure the frame and birdcage are solid, since you'd have to remove things to do serious work on those. Then I'd make sure the mechanicals and suspension are in good driving shape before I worried about paint & body.
JB
JB
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
These things can really get expensive if you already didn't know. I agree that you need to find out what you are working with before you start putting money into your vette. If it is structurely sound it's a good start. Where did the vette spend most it's life by the way? My '74 spent it's whole life in a small town in Canada on one of the Great Lakes and in '89 it was either throw the vette away or put a new frame under it. The previous owner opted for the new frame and also converted it to a vert at the same time.
Welcome by the way! :cheers:
Welcome by the way! :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
Welcome! You definitely came to the right spot.
I too, would like to see photos.
:cheers:
I too, would like to see photos.
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
So you bought a basket case. (old motorcycle term)
How much did you pay for it???
And welcome to the mad house. :thumbs:
How much did you pay for it???
And welcome to the mad house. :thumbs:
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 91
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From: Denver Colorado
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
Near as I can tell the car was purchased here in Colorado and has only had one owner on the title before me, (it went through two other people who never titled it). It hasn't been driven since 1986, the plates are still on it. I don't have a digital camera, but I can borrow one so pictures should come soon. I think JB and bgrice are correct I think the frame is probably the place to start, have to have a good foundation.
The interior looks pretty decent actually, but the front clip isn't attached. I guess the first thing is to pull the body off, and make sure the frame is straight. Should I be stripping every thing out of the interior before I try to remove the body, to remove weight?
:confused:
The interior looks pretty decent actually, but the front clip isn't attached. I guess the first thing is to pull the body off, and make sure the frame is straight. Should I be stripping every thing out of the interior before I try to remove the body, to remove weight?
:confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
You need an Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) in order to determine what parts go where as you try to assemble the car from the pieces you've got. More importantly it'll tell you what parts you don't have. You may want to contact forum member BlackRat, he's rebuilding a basket case '72 as well.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15,538
Likes: 0
From: Winston Salem NC
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)
I can only speak from lack-of-experiance, and I have pleanty of it.
However, the guys on here have always helped me out, and just seem to have the answer to every question. And because I listened to thier advice
my vette went from this
---------------to this---------------
Good luck hope to see your pics soon :cheers:
[Modified by McphailK, 2:29 PM 9/18/2003]
However, the guys on here have always helped me out, and just seem to have the answer to every question. And because I listened to thier advice
my vette went from this
---------------to this---------------
Good luck hope to see your pics soon :cheers:
[Modified by McphailK, 2:29 PM 9/18/2003]
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Re: newbee where to start??? (Garrett1972)