Ok I am a newb ( ), I'm 16, I've had my '76 corvette coup for about a week, and I need advice from people who know about these cars (that's you ).

You can see the pics of it here .

I want to make it a good car (a daily driver, but powerful and fun to drive ), but since I'm only 16, I don't have much $.

So, since I figure you guys know what you're doing, what should I be doing??? And how much will it cost?

 

Hey, only 19 here don't let that discourage you. Car looks great. Needs a paint job a stereo and a mirror but other than that not to shabby. Unfortunatly the stock cars in the late seventies were slow and boggy because of emmisions and the like so she won't be very powerful stock but theres plenty of things that can fix that. As for cost, you dont want to know; I'm estimating my final cost at around 25-30k when my goal was 8k. If you're a perfectionist and you get the "while-I'm-at-it-I-might-as-well" bug, you're in trouble. Take a seat around here and get a job! Good luck!

Bry

 

Congrats on being such a young owner. Ive wanted one since I was 15, now 18 and still havent been able to save enough fro anything more than a project car. The usual speech to all noobs: "this is the best place to be. it has unlimited knowlege...yadda yadda" I dont know if you have it insured yet, but you might want to do that before you make any major power mods. Insurance is high for us young guys no matter what were driving.
<edit> just looked at the shots. Looks pretty nice for a young guy. It does show signs of normal wear from a 28 year old car. Before you do anything to the body, go over the brakes, brake lines, bushings, suspension, frame, body mounts, gas lines, etc... Just make sure its safe before you start driving it anywhere. Last thing you need is for that 30 year old brake system to give out when your coming into a sharp turn. Be smart, post and read here often and youll be fine.

 

19 here, that thing is in great shape. Don't let anyone discourage you. At 16 i bought a 1971 el camino, did a full restoration, now the vette is my fourth car. That 76 is gonna be slow, if you are in an inspection free area there are alot of little things you can do. Get rid of the emmissions equpiment, put on a real exhaust system. Maybee a set of heads and intake headers etc. You'll be glad you have that third pedal on the floor, I love my muncie.

 

Safety First: In my book that means go thru the brakes, tires (nothing less than an H-rated tire), wipers, lights, belts... While one doesn't have to go out and buy a bunch of over priced hi-perf stuff - dont' skip here or defer these projects to later if they need to be done.

Second fundamental mechanical stuff to ensure it's reliable and functional - anything from radiator hoses to ujoints... Fresh fluids etc...

Then graduate to nice-to-haves and cosmetics like stereos, paint jobs and air conditioning or whatever...

Congrats!

 

Radio delete car

 

Unfortunately he's in Calif. and has to keep the emissions equip.

First thing I'd do is kick that POS rice-turd (big brother's?) out of the garage and move the Vette in.

Then, fix that fan and/or shroud before you overheat...

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

 

Hey....

 

The C3s are best looking vettes so you are off to to a good start. I would join a Corvette Club in your area. Find one with people that have the same goals as you. My club has about 200 members(not in your area) and there is always plenty of resource people for service, parts and no how. Don"t worry about the C3 being too slow. Just enjoy it unless you are going to the track it should be fast enough. Big blocks also have draw backs. Some over heat in hot weather others have been beat to death. There is nothing cheap on a vette. Check parts catologs like Summit ,Jegs, Ecklers, Corvette Central, Mid America. They are all on the internet and will send you free catalogs. The non corvette part places often have the same parts and they may be cheaper. Good luck.

 

Thankfully with this car, everything "works". We drove it home from where we bought it about 30 miles away, so it isn't like I need to be too careful. The brakes were replaced not too long ago, which the previous owner paid almost 1k for, the engine has been rebuilt, and everything is overall in good shape.

Mostly what I need to do is cosmetic stuff, except for fixing one of the door handles, but that will be fine once I get my assembly manual. I'm just really happy that I got my Stingray so cheap ($3,600), when the previous owner had reciets from work that he had done for over $1,800 , when he only had the car for 6 months.

I'm going to have the thing run through AAA full diagnosis, just to see what is/isn't working and what I should start on.

So in terms of modifications, what should I do? I'm not talking anything special, just performance and comfort kinda stuff.

 

Grats on getting what you wanted so early. I know I was over joyed getting my '77 when I was 18. Drove the car for about a year before I decided I needed something I didnt mind about putting a lot of miles on.

Im in the same situation that you are right now, only Im looking to go rather drastic with mods. I started a thread about customs being frowned upon.

To start just make sure its safe and fun to drive. Personally if its fun and you enjoy it do what you can as you are able to, dont let anyone get to you because it isnt finished. Someone might rag on you because it isnt prestine, but Im sure they are still driving that POS Cavalier their parents got them

 

Congrats!
Yours looks like it is in pretty decent shape, my '76 looked like someone cleaned the interior with a weed eater at some point.
Have fun, and dont get discouraged!

Scott

 

On the paint, you will be surprised how much better you can make it with some high speed polishing. It won't look like new, but you should be able to get quite a shine.

Replace that ugly aftermarket mirror with a stock one and put the passenger side one back on.

Go through the interior and give the carpet a good steam cleaning. For added confort, see if you can get a good deal on better seats. The 78-up vette seats are a big improvement. If you're handy you can fit C4 (84-96) seats as long as they are manual (not power).

 

Fix the mirror, clean/polish it up, give it a good tune-up. You say the engine was recent, but not how many miles. A good tuneup, may give more performance-or at least pull the plugs and look at them. My advice is leave the radio out and just get the hang of driving. Enjoy the car, stay out of trouble, don't become a "statistic". I've seen too many Corvettes wrapped around poles or slid under trucks by people that lost focus. Neat car

 

Its Your First Chance To Be In Business For Your Self . You Have A Wonderful Opertunity Sitting In Front Of You. This Is A Chance Of A Life Time. Clean It Up Do As Many Cosmetic Things That You Can Afford And Sell It For Much More Mony Than You Paid For It. Then You Will Have More Money To Buy One In Better Condition Then Sell That One Until You Have Enough Mony To Buy One To Keep And One To Sell . Continue To Do This And You Will Become A Rich Man.

 

Nice car kid. If the frame is good keep it and hold on to it for a long time. Do what you can for now but go to school and make that your priority, good school,good grades,good job,buy what you want for your vette or vettes in a few short years. See if you can get involved with a local club that does work on their cars- there must be a lot out in CA. Learn as much as you can.
Good luck,
Gary

 

Listen to Gary! Where are you located in CA?

 

Congrats, nice Vette...

Start with the brakes and the suspension, then think about what you want to do with the engine.... make it safe first !

You can get a ton of parts at AutoZone (inexpensive) - brake calipers are only $60 and you don't pay shipping and/or core charge... inspect the brake lines and if they're bad then get the stainless lines... I estimate you can do a complete brake job for around $400 - $450 .... if you shop smart ...

Get a buffer and good paint cleaner and polish, it does not look like you need a new paintjob right now... spend the big $$$ later...

Enjoy the Vette ! Welcome to the forum...

 

Hello,
It looks like you got a deal on a decent Vette for $3600. Pretty good website you have to show off the car too.

Have fun fixing it up.

kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98

 

Welcome Brother....its always good see guys your age keeping the faith with the real cars. Here is the good news looks like you made a VERY good purchase. Bought a great bodystyle car in sound mechanical condition for cheap. The better news is if you spent half the money your Ricer buddies spend on performance upgrades you will eat their lunch with their girlfriend on your lap.

The guys are right, makes sure she turns and stops before you worry about making her go. That is a lot of torque for a new driver and be VERY careful of that car in the rain....It does not take much of anything to spin these cars...I have done it and I bet if we took a survey I'm not the only one. The ricers can't spin...cause their front wheel drive fairies...these cars take much more skill to drive....do not lose respect for the car...I only say this cause I was 16 too and I'm now less one 65 Mustang fastback cause I was stupid.

Regarding Mods...just keep in mind...Air flow=HP. If you want to make power do what ever you can to improve airflow...Start with a free flow air filter...then think about headers....then think about a free flowing exhaust....then think heads and intake...then think cam and carb....then think about how your going to pay for it all. That motor has a cheap 50hp with the exhaust mods and can easily gain another 150 if you do everything listed above. If you shop hard and do some work yourself you should be able to get 300-350hp out of her for $2500-3000.

Also get a buffer...deep cut polish....fine cut polish...swirlmark remover...and tech wax from Mothers or McQuires and hit the car with each in the above order....YOU WILL BE AMAZED!!! try your hand with the paint on that spot on the bumper and have fun. There is really nothing you can't do on that car and there are plenty of guys here that can help you through what ever you decide to take on. and again ...Welcome.