New Corvette Project
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Monroe MI
Definately but the guy had a Jeep, Neon project, and a bunch of other things going on and no time for the coolest thing he had...plus he couldnt fit in it!! I guess im lucky he was like me always with too many things going on, not now though I got rid of both my boats, minibikes, gokarts, so its basically my only project....well except for my teardrop trailer and RallySport Astro I'm working on
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
For $1000, you got a screaming deal. The wheels alone, even the Chinese copies, cost half that. Look around C/L and see what $1K will buy....damn near nothing. When you said "Major body work" I expected MUCH worse. Ya did good.... 
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Monroe MI
Well I got an alt. and battery and now starts right up, I'll probably wait til spring for tires instead of letting them sit this winter. Ordered new carpet, not pre molded just carpet (I do flooring and have done cars in the same stuff) it looks good. Probably gonna order a suspension package, dash pad cover(cant afford a new one yet), and a few misc things from Ecklers later in the week. Has anyone had any problems with them or suggest a different place?
BTW I only found 2 dead mice in the back compartment but accompanying them was a very nice set of jumper cables(funny thing was the guy didnt even have a good enough set to jump the vette the day we bought it and was complaining about not having a better set)lol
BTW I only found 2 dead mice in the back compartment but accompanying them was a very nice set of jumper cables(funny thing was the guy didnt even have a good enough set to jump the vette the day we bought it and was complaining about not having a better set)lol
Last edited by z.goddard; Sep 5, 2011 at 05:53 PM. Reason: Missed info
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Ordered new carpet, not pre molded just carpet (I do flooring and have done cars in the same stuff) it looks good. Probably gonna order a suspension package, dash pad cover(cant afford a new one yet), and a few misc things from Ecklers later in the week. Has anyone had any problems with them or suggest a different place?
There's also Corvette America and Zip-Products (which are fine but don't stock as many parts).
Basically, look for the best price since many items are made by a single vendor.
Personally, Ecklers is the only one that's been sleazy to me. Lots of complaints from others too. That's not to say the others haven't been bad-mouthed here/there. Mostly, it's an issue of shipping and delivery time when complaints are made. For some Corvette items, they are drop-shipped and can't really be blamed for slow delivery.
Ecklers complaints have gone beyond that...to things like slow/no refund (until public complaint is made). I even had then deny their widely publicized price guarantee. They also sent me a part that was poor quality, replaced it with another piece of crap, and never agreed to a refund (when I finally said no dice).
The complaints about other Corvette retailers never get as bad IMO.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Monroe MI
I think you'll see the best feedback for Mid-America Motorworks, then Corvette Central, and Ecklers dead last.
There's also Corvette America and Zip-Products (which are fine but don't stock as many parts).
Basically, look for the best price since many items are made by a single vendor.
Personally, Ecklers is the only one that's been sleazy to me. Lots of complaints from others too. That's not to say the others haven't been bad-mouthed here/there. Mostly, it's an issue of shipping and delivery time when complaints are made. For some Corvette items, they are drop-shipped and can't really be blamed for slow delivery.
Ecklers complaints have gone beyond that...to things like slow/no refund (until public complaint is made). I even had then deny their widely publicized price guarantee. They also sent me a part that was poor quality, replaced it with another piece of crap, and never agreed to a refund (when I finally said no dice).
The complaints about other Corvette retailers never get as bad IMO.
There's also Corvette America and Zip-Products (which are fine but don't stock as many parts).
Basically, look for the best price since many items are made by a single vendor.
Personally, Ecklers is the only one that's been sleazy to me. Lots of complaints from others too. That's not to say the others haven't been bad-mouthed here/there. Mostly, it's an issue of shipping and delivery time when complaints are made. For some Corvette items, they are drop-shipped and can't really be blamed for slow delivery.
Ecklers complaints have gone beyond that...to things like slow/no refund (until public complaint is made). I even had then deny their widely publicized price guarantee. They also sent me a part that was poor quality, replaced it with another piece of crap, and never agreed to a refund (when I finally said no dice).
The complaints about other Corvette retailers never get as bad IMO.
I'm having a problem with my seat, it stays reclined all the way back, the passenger is fine and I have a huge manual for the 84 but the seats look way too complicated. If anyone has fixed this problem and could tell me how that'd be great as I don't want to start ripping into my seat with no knowledge as to what I'm doing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Don't overlook good used parts for the interior, especially the door panels. The seats, probably not, but you can go vinyl or 'leather-like' on those and save some dough. Before you order a whole suspension package, you might try the shocks first as those are the first to go and not all that expensive or hard to replace. Great deal and keep us posted and of course, the help and advice is highly generous here!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Monroe MI
Don't overlook good used parts for the interior, especially the door panels. The seats, probably not, but you can go vinyl or 'leather-like' on those and save some dough. Before you order a whole suspension package, you might try the shocks first as those are the first to go and not all that expensive or hard to replace. Great deal and keep us posted and of course, the help and advice is highly generous here!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
I had a 79 formula for a year, project car. before I sold it and bought my 89 Corvette.
Its a "cool" looking car but if you find yourself a Tune Port Injected C4 you are much better off. I barely got what I paid for my 79 after I put hundreds into it, very hard to sell, and they are all over craigslist cheap. At least with a Corvette people usually want your car and you get more horsepower/handle/ and better gas mileage than a 400cd engine Trans Am.
Enjoy though! Love shaker hoods.
Its a "cool" looking car but if you find yourself a Tune Port Injected C4 you are much better off. I barely got what I paid for my 79 after I put hundreds into it, very hard to sell, and they are all over craigslist cheap. At least with a Corvette people usually want your car and you get more horsepower/handle/ and better gas mileage than a 400cd engine Trans Am.
Enjoy though! Love shaker hoods.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Monroe MI
I had a 79 formula for a year, project car. before I sold it and bought my 89 Corvette.
Its a "cool" looking car but if you find yourself a Tune Port Injected C4 you are much better off. I barely got what I paid for my 79 after I put hundreds into it, very hard to sell, and they are all over craigslist cheap. At least with a Corvette people usually want your car and you get more horsepower/handle/ and better gas mileage than a 400cd engine Trans Am.
Enjoy though! Love shaker hoods.
Its a "cool" looking car but if you find yourself a Tune Port Injected C4 you are much better off. I barely got what I paid for my 79 after I put hundreds into it, very hard to sell, and they are all over craigslist cheap. At least with a Corvette people usually want your car and you get more horsepower/handle/ and better gas mileage than a 400cd engine Trans Am.
Enjoy though! Love shaker hoods.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
The Trans Am was definately worth more than the 84, it has a rebuilt 350 with lots of power a 4 speed stick, It may not have as much hp as a TPI Vette but very possible ( havnt driven it except for on the car hauler, probably right about the handling but it does have tons of add ons like traction bars etc. gas mileage I am not sure yet but probably not the best. The way I see is is this has always been the car I have wanted, It needs WAY less work than the Vette, and it is worth more than my Vette and I will not be in the hole on this car (if that was my plan) The Vette will be getting redone over the winter and when I hear more about it I will tune you guys in if you're interested. Thanks
I'm just telling you my experience and the fact that MINT late second gen Fire Birds/Trans Am's don't go for the money they should. In fact I would even argue a MINT 79 Trans Am versus a mint 84 C4 would be worth the same or less.
Case in point
http://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/2605115100.html