blackmachdown

So I've had the z06 for about 5 years now and I have been contemplating getting another vette to putz around in. My Z06 is too nice and I'm looking for something I can just not care too much about. I guess the best way to describe it would be as a "beater vette" one I can just take anywhere race it, drive in the rain, let sit dirty. Just a car I can enjoy.

Enter my new 1997 Vette....here she is on the day of delivery and parked next to my c5z
Attachment 48369066
Attachment 48369067
Attachment 48369068
Attachment 48369069
Attachment 48351016

So here is the fun part. When I purchased the car the dealer told me there was some typical wear and tear after all its a 1997 vette. The first round of repairs were as follows:
1. new clutch master cylinder- easy to install...if your not 6'3 and have awkward gorilla arms
2. new front plate filler- easy
3. new carpet on passenger side- you'll soon see why
4. Head unit
5. targa top clips
6. new shifter boot clip
7. new shifter and ****

Also my dog Prada who doesn't get as happy for car parts as I do.


So I began by tackling the removal of the center console...and found this horror!

Yup, a smoker owned this car. Cigarette ashes EVERYWHERE.
quickly wiped that area down, pulled the carpet and vacummed under the seats as well.


piece of crap shift boot retainer ring from GM is CRAP CRAP CRAP
Ordered a new shiftboot ring:

For 97-2004 vette owners this thing is a gift from lsJuan himself!

New Ring Installed

Nice, tall, firm, the way its supposed to be....uh I'm talking about the shift boot pervs.

blackmachdown

Drivers side carpet

Cigarette burns like crazy...this wont do

Removed the carpet and took some pictures to show more of the damage


Installed the new carpet



The previous owner at one time installed this disgusting rubber thing to protect the sills. On 97-98 GM left the sill bare. On the later years they added a rubber decal that said corvette and had crossed flags.


I removed the gross rubber piece and polished it up! Ill probably leave it as is, or maybe do something cool with 3m di-noc


here is the disgusting rubber thing removed and on its way to the trash


That completes the mods on the inside

So here is a picture of the interior all cleaned up (no more cigarette smell or ashes). New head unit (bluetooth a2dp), new short throw shifter (B&M ripper) and shift **** (delrin)

Moving to the outside:
I added the front license plate filler, but noticed that somehow my airdam had busted off. Instead of repairing it I removed it for now.


I also gave the car a bath and took a quick photoshoot before her next stop...






So here she is at her next stop...

Dyno tune time!!!!

JK, no it's inspections and emissions testing time!

She passed! Now the car is street legal in CO.

On the list of repairs/mods
1. oil pressure sensor replacement (have)
2. hood strut repair (have)
3. passenger seat belt doesnt buckle (have)
4. New exhaust- BB bullets (have)
5. Slow leak from oil pan (need to order gaskets)
6. New tires
7. Brakes
8. Good detailing

Ill be updating this thread as I move along.

DA1984VETTE

Nice project car..Their is a since of pride when you do things on your own. The car looks great, keep up the good work..

Jeff T.

I'd like to find another to do the same! Thanks for all the pics!!

JEH03Vette

Fun project. Looks good. Exterior seems to be in a lot better shape than the interior.

f6john

Be careful, you will get dangerously close to having it too nice to "putz" around in!

blackmachdown

Honestly, I'd rather pay someone who is a pro to work on it...I'm just a cheapskate!


Look around...they can be had for cheap


I agree, whoever owned it must have not cared about the inside but certainly maintained the exterior


no joke, especially all the sweet aftermarket parts available for the car...

4XLR8N

Very cool!

Word of caution - you will want to replace that center air dam soon as C5's need them for proper cooling at highway speeds.

CameronC

The outside of the car looks really sharp. I am sure you will have the inside looking just as well. I like the wheels, were they a stock wheel for a 97?

Vetteman Jack

The center air dam is pretty critical to ensuring air is directed into the radiator area.

Very nice car.

Jud Chapin

Looks fantastic!

bjones7131

Good work, U got skills man. Enjoy

TXGS507

Nice find, Bringing her back to life... Good stuff....

PhysicsDude55

Very nice looking '97 you have there.

Its awesome seeing people taking care of these cars as they age gracefully. there's no way I would be able to tell that's a ~17 year old car!

blackmachdown

Yeah I am aware of it, for now it's a non issue as its still winter here in CO (well kind of, yesterday was 70)

Thanks! No, they are 01-04 oem Z06 wheels. 17x9.5 in front and 18x10.5 rear

Understand, Later this summer I have plans to order a new center dam

Thanks!

Thanks!

From the outside and pictures its hard to tell but take a sit on the inside and drive it around and it becomes very apparent.

I still have a ways to go unfortunately

loufernh

Can you show a picture of the targa top tips? What are the tips used for?

blackmachdown

It's one of my hobbies. I like taking cars that I've always liked and just fixing them up!

here is a write up of a mustang I restored back when I lived in DFW:
http://imgur.com/a/CETXC

momo20

the car is making great progress man. that sucks you have emissions thing we don't have that in pueblo area...are you going to go to any cars and coffee this year??

blackmachdown

Yep, Im planning on going to a few

I really need to check out your new supercharger!

87 Ragtop

Looks great for a "beater" I'm guessing you got a great deal on it. It's great to have one to not worry about.


I do have to ask... are you keeping the chicklet? I've heard of them being taken off but not being put on.... I'm guessing the previous owner thought it might make it look like a C6??