Hey guys,

So I am preparing to buy my first Corvette. It's a 1999 with some front-end damage. It needs new headlights and possibly a new radiator support bar (not sure if it can be bent back out yet). I've been looking at some schematics but haven't found good details on the front end sections I'll be working with here. I would really appreciate any advice/resources you guys might have that could help me with this project. Other than the front end, she is gorgeous inside and out, and I will document the project as it progresses for everyone.

I took several photos of the missing headlight sections/front end damage and loaded them to a public flickr page. Thank you very much for your time and assistance.

 

those headlight assemblies are available from GM and other sources but they are pricey. i think it was 972.00 for the complete (for each side) assembly which i think came with the motors and the fiberglass door. you may be able to find replacements cheaper by checking the parts for sale forum and/or the various auction sites. do a search for a headlight replacement and you will find threads with lots of pictures that should help out a lot. ebay had several of these parts used and new. another good source of info is the shop manual for your vette. i bought mine used for about 100.00. it is 3 large volumes and has lots of info, illustrations of the sub-assemblies for the car. between that and info from the forum members, you should be able to get what you need.

good luck with your project.

 

Ouch. You probably want to pick up a Helms service manual to see what you're getting into (as woodman300 said). Are you a body person, or have experience with body repairs? Gene Culley at GMPartsHouse comes highly recommended for the manuals as well as OEM parts. I've also gotten some salvage C5 parts from Marc at Vettenuts.net - great guy.

Did you have it inspected or measured for frame damage? My first C5 was totalled for it, and I had driven home after the accident. A proper repair would have required full interior removal to section the frame rail, which makes it a much bigger project. From the pics it looks like at least one wheelhouse is trashed, and those are bonded panels.

I hope you get/got a great deal on her. Good luck with the repairs.

Todd

 

Good luck to you - hope this doesn't turn into more than you really expect.

 

Hey guys,
Thanks for your responses. Anyone have experience with aftermarket headlights like these?

projector headlights

I'd like to replace with OEM in a few years, but initially I'd like to save some money since I may have additional repair expenses that I'm unaware of at the moment.

 

Welcome, Here's a link to the thread I did on my own 99 rebuild.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ars-upset.html


I learned a lot on this car but I've been doing bodywork since before I had a drivers license. I'm going to be 60 this Oct. so I've been at it a while. I also learned a lot and got links to info from this site.

Regaurdless of what you paid, you are going to want to find used stuff where at all possible. New parts from GM are $$$$ Check out the for sale section here. First thing you should get is the set of manuals. There were a couple 99 sets for sale here recently. Try using the search.

Anyway, you came to the right place for help. Quite a knowledge base here. Lots of tech guys more knowledgeable than me but I will be glad to share anything I know.

Jim

 

My spidy senses are tingling on that one. A pair of projectors for $235? What are they not telling us? One of the pictures shows a wire spliced by twisting them together. I'd run.

 

We have OEM used headlight units complete in stock along with all the other parts you will need to do your repairs. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have during the repair process as well.

Give me a call if you would like at the shop this week.

Marc

615-896-6100

 

What Jack said!

 

the price better be correct otherwise U gonna be in deeper than u want to just my experience. But as others stated used forums section is the best bet and that comes along with patients.

 

Thanks everyone. So what would you guys consider a good price for a 1999 Corvette with these known issues? Similar cars sell for 13-16k in my state. This one has a Borla Exhaust system that should add 1-1.5k to its value I believe. Not too many other options as far as I know. Dual climate control, memory, single CD. There are some added decals worth a few hundred dollars probably. And 110k miles.

 

Was it considered a total by the previous owner's insurance company, or is this just a private seller? Is the title a salvage, or clear? Does it have frame damage?

At the time (2 years ago), my '00 with 60k miles was an $8k salvage with way less visible damage than you had. The replacements I considered were in the $21-$25k range.

Borlas are closer to $800 new / $450 used, and stickers are often considered a detriment to value. As a buyer, any mods were a devaluer when shopping, whether I liked them or not.

If you just want to drive a cheap Vette, this would seem like a great opportunity. But the replacement parts and time add up quick. Hope it doesn't end up bigger as others have stated.

Todd

 

Mods do not add to used car value. In many cases they can actually lower the value. For what you're going to pay to fix that one you could buy one with half the mileage that wouldn't need any work. Hell, for what you'd end up paying to fix that one in the end I'll sell you mine and drive it out to you to boot.

If I were you I'd be looking elsewhere outside of the area you live in.

 

Thanks for your input everyone!

I won the car at auction this past Monday. Here are additional photos I took over the weekend.

Here's what I've done so far:
1. cleaned the mud/dirt/chalk off
2. vacuumed it out
3. polished the exhaust with baking soda (shiny!)
3. charged the battery, and she has power! (seats, mirrors, lights)
4. removed broken parts (radiator, a/c compressor/evaporator, radiator fan, upper/lower, radiator support, front skid plate, and Front Center Air Dam), other front-end parts were lost in the accident. I have made a list of what I think she needs. Please let me know what you guys think and if I'm missing something. Thanks!

Parts that need replacements/were not included:
NOTE: numbers refer to photos in the link above
headlights
radiator
677 – Radiator (Upper Support)
677 – Radiator (Lower Support)
radiator hose (upper and lower)
radiator fan
A/C Evaporator Core
A/C Evaporator Filter
Front Skid Plate/Radiator Support Cradle
Air Bridge Assembly MAF
622 – Front Center Air Dam (siphons air into radiator)
662 - Brake Cooling Duct (RH, LH)

Extra Parts (non-essential)
bra
bumper cover license plate holder
entrance foot shields
door trim fasteners (behind inner door handles)
floor/trunk mats
trunk shade
driver side body molding
skid plate stiffeners

 

It's called an AC Condenser. The Evaporator is the exchanger inside the dash.

What are you doing about the inner fenders?

 

It seems like a pretty cool and fun project.

Those eBay projector headlights look a little sketch.
The used parts forum is probably the best place to get lights.

I bet you'll have the car drivable soon.

 

Get your items from a recycler.
One gave you his phone # above.
You'll save many $$$ over new.
The repairs you're looking at are the kind most competent wrench turners can do. You might want to enlist a body shop to assist you when installing the body parts such as fenders. Panel alignment can be problematic

 

Congrats on the corvette purchase! I know you have been doing research for a while so I'm sure you got a good deal. It will be an adventure getting everything put together!

I personally like the stock look of pop up headlights. I love the look of the Z06 wheels.

I am looking forward to seeing more updates!

James

 

Not sure what to do about that section that was ripped away. I assume these originally came down a little further to cover more of the wheel. Is there anything essential there or could I attach a mudflap over that section?

 

Thanks James, yes I've been researching Corvettes for about 9 months now. It's great to finally have one to work on and hopefully drive before summer is over! I will continue to document the progress and keep you guys updated. I'm planning to replace the headlights with OEM in a few years when she needs a new paint job. In the meantime, I'll use the halos and a bra over the bumper cover since it got scratched up pretty good. Thanks, I love the z06 rims too. I don't really care for the stock 99 rims, so I was glad to see those wheels