New guy with a toy
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 67
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From: Dover DE
New guy with a toy
I've been into Camaros for years owing a 69 and currently a built 94 M6 which I love. My wife and I attended a car show this weekend and she decided she wanted her own muscle car. The best part is that I get to build it! After much thought she settled on a 70s vette.
A little searching netted me a 79 t-top coupe in decent condition for $3800. It needs a drivers side door and the right front fender is gonna need some fiberglass repair work. The dash and console is near perfect. Carpet, door panels, and new seat covers are all I'll need to bring it up to par. They tell me the engine runs awsome, but I don't care. I'm installing a late model LT1 and overdrive trans to make it more reliable and fuel efficient. The original engine and trans will be sold.
I'm buying it from the father of the original ower and the car has been garaged all it's life. I was surprised to see that the frame looks near perfect. It will need the normal brake parts and suspension bushings. The best part of the deal is it has a new set of 15x8 ralley wheels with 255/60-15 BF goodrich tires. The guy said he spent a grand on the wheels and tires alone.
I'm stoked about this new project and I feel I got a pretty good deal. I can do fiberglass work in my sleep so this is a breeze for me compared to my 69 Camaro I restored.
New guy
A little searching netted me a 79 t-top coupe in decent condition for $3800. It needs a drivers side door and the right front fender is gonna need some fiberglass repair work. The dash and console is near perfect. Carpet, door panels, and new seat covers are all I'll need to bring it up to par. They tell me the engine runs awsome, but I don't care. I'm installing a late model LT1 and overdrive trans to make it more reliable and fuel efficient. The original engine and trans will be sold.
I'm buying it from the father of the original ower and the car has been garaged all it's life. I was surprised to see that the frame looks near perfect. It will need the normal brake parts and suspension bushings. The best part of the deal is it has a new set of 15x8 ralley wheels with 255/60-15 BF goodrich tires. The guy said he spent a grand on the wheels and tires alone.
I'm stoked about this new project and I feel I got a pretty good deal. I can do fiberglass work in my sleep so this is a breeze for me compared to my 69 Camaro I restored.
New guy
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
I would hold on to that original motor... moth ball it. If it's a matching number block, in a pinch if you have to sell, you have the correct motor for higher value.
Last edited by nhlgopens; Oct 13, 2004 at 12:58 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
I would hold onto that original motor... Moth ball it. If you ever need to go back <emergency sale> you will still have the numbers matching block for increased value.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 67
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From: Dover DE
I usually try to keep my sleep walking confined to the house. 
I not sure about keeping the motor, I don't really have room for it, and I will have to change so much in the electrical system, A/C, and power steering that changing it back would be a royal pain. Plus, the injected motor will run so much better, I would pay more for it with it. Aside from the motor and a CD player, there will be nothing else changed in the rebuild.
Vettes are new to me. I'm meeting a whole different crowd than with other cars I've owned. Most people are more worried about disturbing the value of the car and not tampering with anything.
Thats not really me and I'm not really worried about resale value.
I get a lots of looks in my 94 Z.
The vette really isn't me at all. If I was building it for myself it would get a 6 speed and not an auto. It would also not get a red interior. But the wife wants an auto for easier driving in the city and loves the red leather interior. Even though my wife gets to decide what goes into the car (to a point), it's all about the build. I'd build a project Honda (not that I would drive it) if thats all I could get.
I not sure about keeping the motor, I don't really have room for it, and I will have to change so much in the electrical system, A/C, and power steering that changing it back would be a royal pain. Plus, the injected motor will run so much better, I would pay more for it with it. Aside from the motor and a CD player, there will be nothing else changed in the rebuild.
Vettes are new to me. I'm meeting a whole different crowd than with other cars I've owned. Most people are more worried about disturbing the value of the car and not tampering with anything.
Thats not really me and I'm not really worried about resale value. I get a lots of looks in my 94 Z.
The vette really isn't me at all. If I was building it for myself it would get a 6 speed and not an auto. It would also not get a red interior. But the wife wants an auto for easier driving in the city and loves the red leather interior. Even though my wife gets to decide what goes into the car (to a point), it's all about the build. I'd build a project Honda (not that I would drive it) if thats all I could get.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Welcome to the insanity. This place will cost you lots of money. I had a perfectly fine corvette at one time. It has been into a million pieces and is finally back together again. Enjoy the new vette and make sure to post some pics of the car and your progress on it so we can keep up. 
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 708
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From: somewhere south of normal
[QUOTE=Re and Cheryl]Vettes are new to me. I'm meeting a whole different crowd than with other cars I've owned. Most people are more worried about disturbing the value of the car and not tampering with anything. Thats not really me and I'm not really worried about resale value.QUOTE]
I think you'll find a lot of folks here at CF that don't give a c*ap about originality.
Welcome aboard...!!!
Thats not really me and I'm not really worried about resale value.QUOTE]I think you'll find a lot of folks here at CF that don't give a c*ap about originality.
Welcome aboard...!!!