1988 Father and Son Project
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
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From: Vermilion OH
1988 Father and Son Project
When my oldest son was very young, I introduced him to Corvettes. As a toddler, I would take him out to my 84 and sit in it with him. He's wanted a C4 for as long as I can remember. The deal was when he got a job, we would find him one. A buddy helped us out with this one and we found an 88 for a reasonable price. Needs a ton of work but runs great. Doesn't **** so good unfortunately. But this will help to teach my son how to repair and maintain a C4. No known history on the car and no RPO label to be found. He's currently at work and cannot wait to come home and see his car! We will document our progress here and continually share puctures of the car's progress, much like I do with my cars. Here's a few pictures to get started:
Popular Reply
Mar 29, 2025, 01:59 PM
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
Likes: 1,126
From: Vermilion OH
In the spirit of fun, I'm going to share some early pictures of my son with my Corvettes. He cannot stay away from them, even at a young age, he was enamored with the C4. Thismoment was inevitable for him. He will have to be taught discipline when driving and him paying for the car and the parts will hopefully teach him what it takes to fix and maintain these cars. I'm hoping he will have a deeper appreciation for them in the coming months.
Me and Grant in 2014ish after I pulled the engine in my 84 flood car:
My father in law with his 93 and me with my 94. Grant is helping wash the 93. Something he loved to do:
He always loved to sit in that black 84. We would start it and he would pretend like he was driving:
He was never shy about helping:
He loved that 84 so much he would sleep in it:
He was proud of that car:
Here he is sitting in my old 94. He wanted to drive it badly:
Me and Grant in 2014ish after I pulled the engine in my 84 flood car:
My father in law with his 93 and me with my 94. Grant is helping wash the 93. Something he loved to do:
He always loved to sit in that black 84. We would start it and he would pretend like he was driving:
He was never shy about helping:
He loved that 84 so much he would sleep in it:
He was proud of that car:
Here he is sitting in my old 94. He wanted to drive it badly:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
Likes: 1,126
From: Vermilion OH
The car is missing some essential parts that we will have to source. Both seat belts are missing, both door panels are missing, the center console lid, with the SPID label is missing, one center cap is gone, and a plastic part between the bread box and fuse panel is also missing. Most black interior parts have been painted and they look awful. May try to strip them or if my son wants to, we may replace them. I really like the car and I'm a fan of the early black interior.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
Likes: 1,126
From: Vermilion OH
In the spirit of fun, I'm going to share some early pictures of my son with my Corvettes. He cannot stay away from them, even at a young age, he was enamored with the C4. Thismoment was inevitable for him. He will have to be taught discipline when driving and him paying for the car and the parts will hopefully teach him what it takes to fix and maintain these cars. I'm hoping he will have a deeper appreciation for them in the coming months.
Me and Grant in 2014ish after I pulled the engine in my 84 flood car:
My father in law with his 93 and me with my 94. Grant is helping wash the 93. Something he loved to do:
He always loved to sit in that black 84. We would start it and he would pretend like he was driving:
He was never shy about helping:
He loved that 84 so much he would sleep in it:
He was proud of that car:
Here he is sitting in my old 94. He wanted to drive it badly:
Me and Grant in 2014ish after I pulled the engine in my 84 flood car:
My father in law with his 93 and me with my 94. Grant is helping wash the 93. Something he loved to do:
He always loved to sit in that black 84. We would start it and he would pretend like he was driving:
He was never shy about helping:
He loved that 84 so much he would sleep in it:
He was proud of that car:
Here he is sitting in my old 94. He wanted to drive it badly:
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Love it. Can't wait to see more progress!
We need as many young kids to get into old cars of any flavor as much as possible or they are going to get pushed out of society sooner than later.
We need as many young kids to get into old cars of any flavor as much as possible or they are going to get pushed out of society sooner than later.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
Likes: 1,126
From: Vermilion OH
Definitely will be a fun project and he will learn a lot. I'm sure I will as well and I'm looking forward to that. I agree that we need more younger people into these cars. They are the next caretakers of these cars and it would benefit them to learn as much as possible.
I picked Grant up from work and he was very excited to see the car and drive it up the road. Transmission was slipping pretty badly unfortunately. He was taking pictures of the car and going to clean it up now. It was a proud father moment and i snapped some pictures of him with the car:
I picked Grant up from work and he was very excited to see the car and drive it up the road. Transmission was slipping pretty badly unfortunately. He was taking pictures of the car and going to clean it up now. It was a proud father moment and i snapped some pictures of him with the car:
Safety Car
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Very nice!
Enjoy the project and the time you two spend together.
Enjoy the project and the time you two spend together.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
Likes: 1,126
From: Vermilion OH
My son and I spent a few hours cleaning the interior and sorting through things on the car and making some adjustments. We went to our cul-de-sac and he insisted that I drive my 93 down so we can take pictures of our cars together. So a little progress today and a lot of fun!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
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From: Vermilion OH
Taking note of some of the vital things that are missing from the car. The first thing we need to find are seat belts. Both seat belts are missing. He can't safely drive the car without those. I'm not sure why they were removed. The bolts and buckles are there though so that's a plus!
Both door panels and the center consold lid are missing as well. The previous owner stated that the owner before him dropped the door panels off to be refinished and forgot where he dropped them off at. So those are long gone. Might be tough to source those in black. Maybe we can find a set and dye them.
The PRND plastic indicator panel and metal bulb tray are missing, as is the orange indicator. Its just an open hole and I dont want the bulb to start melting anything it shouldn't. The bulb was hot and flopping around in the hole last night when he was messing with the car. Maybe we can buy those new still, I'll have to look.
I had to pry him from the car last night. He wouldn't get out of it. I honestly can't blame him. He was taking pictures of the car until well after dark. He seems genuinely happy and it makes me happy to see him happy.
My father in law who is also a Corvette guy and still has his 93, stopped by last night to see the car. It was a proud grandpa moment for him. He really liked the car!
Both door panels and the center consold lid are missing as well. The previous owner stated that the owner before him dropped the door panels off to be refinished and forgot where he dropped them off at. So those are long gone. Might be tough to source those in black. Maybe we can find a set and dye them.
The PRND plastic indicator panel and metal bulb tray are missing, as is the orange indicator. Its just an open hole and I dont want the bulb to start melting anything it shouldn't. The bulb was hot and flopping around in the hole last night when he was messing with the car. Maybe we can buy those new still, I'll have to look.
I had to pry him from the car last night. He wouldn't get out of it. I honestly can't blame him. He was taking pictures of the car until well after dark. He seems genuinely happy and it makes me happy to see him happy.
My father in law who is also a Corvette guy and still has his 93, stopped by last night to see the car. It was a proud grandpa moment for him. He really liked the car!
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Nice story, and I see few under the covers, you reached him right to keep the generations the love of a corvette.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
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From: Vermilion OH
Thank you very much for the kind words and support!! I agree that it is a family investment and while it will be expensive, it will be worth the time spent and memories made. Nearly dying of kidney failure has put things in my life in a new perspective and I am trying to prioritize family time.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Vermilion OH
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From: Texas
For parts, depending on how long you're willing to wait/research, I find you can get some pretty nice pieces from....
eBay
Facebook Marketplace
Online searches for Corvette scrap yards
For Facebook, I only buy local and in person from people that have been on FB for several years and have feedback. On super low value stuff I'll break those rules on occasion (and haven't had any issues) but for anything else I find that cuts out the scammers. I've picked up some nice suspension parts, interior parts, and even an entire rear hatch that was like new after a quick clay bar and polish.
I bring this up because I think that with a reasonable amount of persistence you'll be able to find some nice examples of everything you need. It'll be a good research project for your son!
eBay
Facebook Marketplace
Online searches for Corvette scrap yards
For Facebook, I only buy local and in person from people that have been on FB for several years and have feedback. On super low value stuff I'll break those rules on occasion (and haven't had any issues) but for anything else I find that cuts out the scammers. I've picked up some nice suspension parts, interior parts, and even an entire rear hatch that was like new after a quick clay bar and polish.
I bring this up because I think that with a reasonable amount of persistence you'll be able to find some nice examples of everything you need. It'll be a good research project for your son!