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Hi everyone, My name is Scott and I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland. My uncle imported a 1998 C5 (around 2005). I worked on the car to get it though a conformity test back then. I didn't like it at first but it really grew on me, great fun to drive! It ended up in Spain and currently lies unused. 8/9 years unfortunately. My uncle passed away recently and I am excited to have been left the car. It is pewter/beige leather, an auto and has around 70,000 miles. I am a car guy and will do quite a lot of work myself. I am already considering a colour change and some performance upgrades but there will be a lot to do and consider before then..
My first task may be the hardest. The car is in a fairly remote location and as I mention unused for some time. I plan on getting it transported back to the UK, ideally as is, then work on it here, at home. My father will probably be the first to see the car in around three weeks time. He saw it not so long ago and it is all intact I believe. I may have a wait while estate/legal issues are settled before I can retrieve the car but hopefully it will happen relatively soon.
I would be immensely grateful to users here who may be able to provide me with support. I have started some reading and the column lock issue is a worry. It may be very difficult to get work done in Spain (I've no tools there, no close by garage services and language barriers) so I really want to simply get the car back here before tackling work. We have recently located keys for the car. I was hoping to get tires inflated and roll/steer the car ready for transportation but if the steering is locked, what a nightmare! If it has locked up, the column lock obviously needs power to unlock, so must I get a battery/12v to this dead car or is there any way I can get the car steering/rolling even if it meant cutting or damaging the steering column lock?
Unfortunately I don't feel I can ask my father to start trying to power up the car when he goes in three weeks time although until I read about the column issue I was going to ask him (and my cousins husband) to see if the steering wheel would release and see if the handbrake had been left on or not. That sort of thing.
Here's a picture I took in 2005. It looks much less like this now!
Pleased to report things all went to plan out in Spain. Access for picking the car up wasn’t easy nor was exit by the tiny mountainous road for my transportation man. He had a lowish flat bed trailer being pulled by a pick up. Quite long so not the easiest to turn but we got there.
All tyres pumped up ok and some penetrating fluid on the rusted discs got the brakes moving ok. Handbrake indeed didn’t seem to be on (I was worried it may have been on at some stage even although the lever was down..). Came out of “Park” fine with no battery power and I suspect the steering column may have had the US recall meaning no locking of it.
Car was backed on by winch with no clearance issues from a strap around the rear subframe. The low trailer that itself tipped was perfect.
With the efforts required there I can’t say any extensive examination was done or was possible but I am pleased to say I didn’t spot anything untoward i.e. missing or damaged etc. It’s got a lot of debris here and there that has blown around from the wind I assume, exterior body is of course very mucky (wheels surprisingly clean!) and I was pleased coolant level fine (no chewed burst hoses obviously), oil level was fine too.
Interior really not too bad. I was amazed the leather wasn’t cracked or about to crack. It’s very dry of course though. Dash looks fine. Generally decent looking. Paintwork certainly poor with sun scorched peeling clear coat in various places/sections. Not saying it’s definitely ok but I didn’t spot any cracked rubbers/seals either. I didn’t see any sign of battery acid leaking at all so hopefully another plus.
I now await it’s delivery early next week so look forward to that. I’ll do a lot of vacuuming, washing and cleaning a bit at a time before doing much else. That’ll let me look closely at stuff bit by bit. I’ll then see about draining/flushing fuel and changing oil etc before considering trying a start up. I’m busy trying to finish some house renovation work so won’t be spending lots of time at it. May of course want to order and attain some parts of course too. Brakes for one thing.
Sorry no great pictures there wasn’t loads of time as we also had 5 other vehicles taken away from the villa the same morning to be scrapped. I enjoyed the nice Spanish weather but it was a whirlwind 36hrs there.
I know I’ll want to ask various things. Should I just post on the C5 tech help section for this?
After sitting unused for that long, I hope you realize what you might be getting into. Every system will have to be refurbished. You may end up putting 10 times as much money into it than you think and it may never be what you want it to be.
After sitting unused for that long, I hope you realize what you might be getting into. Every system will have to be refurbished. You may end up putting 10 times as much money into it than you think and it may never be what you want it to be.
Always nice to put a positive slant on things!
I’d agree at 15+ years, and I don’t know for sure of course but it’d be a poor reflection on the vehicle if that were the case. I’d say it could be more surprising how alright most systems would be.
Last edited by silver50; Aug 16, 2019 at 08:17 AM.
Lying outside getting a sun tan so that’s not great. I hear the paint looks sun scorched hence my thoughts on a colour change if it were to otherwise work out ok. Apart from a few hot months each year the climate isn’t unkind though.
Sure to need a deal of recommissioning, I know but I do know it wasn’t laid up due to something like an engine or trans issue. Less and less visiting the property in Spain was the reason. Flat battery or not inconceivably a locked steering column were more likely the reason.
8 to 10 years is a long time for a car sitting outside. The steering column lock is probably the least of your issues. You will certainly have to flush and clean the fuel system since the old gas is not usable and if fuel stabilizer wasn't used everything may be gummed up. Fortunately there is an access plate in your year C5 to get to the fuel pump. Brakes are another issue.the rotors will be rusted and the brake pads will be frozen to the rotors. Critters might also have gotten into it since it a nice place for them to make nests and the wiring is yummy. Tires are shot and will need to be replaced. Gages have stepper motors and they can also give trouble. None of this is due to the quality of the ca It just was not stored properly.
Transportation back to the UK is the primary objective to then go over the car.
This is why the steering column being locked might be the first of my worries. You are right seized brakes are another which could be a more immediate issue.
Chewed wiring is possible and isn’t something that hadn’t crossed my mind. However I want to remain positive so must look on it positively woth best case scenario’s in mind rather than worst. There’s not a lot to be gained by second guessing everything. I don’t disagree re the fuel (perhaps particularly in heat) but a lot of people would say it can stay surprisingly stable for up to around the ten year mark. It’s not ideal I know, but me fitting a brand new battery and going for a start up might be a good way to get brakes freed and have the car mobile for transportation.
Are there any mechanical/quick/emergency releases of the column if absolutely necessary, even if not ideal ones?
Last edited by silver50; Aug 16, 2019 at 10:03 AM.
I’d agree at 15+ years, and I don’t know for sure of course but it’d be a poor reflection on the vehicle if that were the case. I’d say it could be more surprising how alright most systems would be.
Just facing reality. It would be different if it was a valuable vintage collector car, but it's worth a few thousand as a parts car. Putting tens of thousands into it makes no sense to me. You would not believe how many people start projects only to give up when the costs and time become too much to handle. This is probably one of those times. Just trying to save you some grief.
Spend the money on a new battery and see what happens. Column lock issues are frequently related to low voltage issues.
Good luck with the car!
good advice.
Let use know the progress. I'm sure a few of us would-be willing to help you in any way we can.
BTW, We once ad a brit (I believe a pilot) here on the forum. He is now back in the UK, however I don't know if he still has his car. He is/was a great guy.
I see quite a few C5's on the road back in Blighty when I'm there on business so you may find some kind of association or club for either Corvette's or US cars in general, that may offer help with fixing it up via Halfords rather than the US equivalents. Not that Halfords will be any help unless a pine flavored air-freshener is in your future, but you get the point.
Understand though you just want to get it onto a trailer and out of there. Depending on what sort of surface it's on, you could consider 'movers' which are little platforms with castors to put under the front wheels. A rather less environmentally friendly solution is to pour copious amounts of diesel in front of the tires (tyres to you!). Diesel makes the rubber slippery as heck, so it can be dragged by cable against the locked wheels.
For sure it'll be expensive to fix, but ignore those saying it's worth almost nothing. They're referring to what's worth in (say) Detroit, which is about as much as a steak dinner. In UK it's worth a little more for being unique, but not a huge amount. Don't forget, if you are going to get it road legal then you'll need to improve it to at least MOT standard which might be a challenge. You'll want amber turn lights, beam diverters and so on.
Good luck though, subscribed to see progress!
Last edited by AndyDove; Aug 16, 2019 at 12:29 PM.
good advice.
Let use know the progress. I'm sure a few of us would-be willing to help you in any way we can.
BTW, We once ad a brit (I believe a pilot) here on the forum. He is now back in the UK, however I don't know if he still has his car. He is/was a great guy.
If anyone remembers his user name I could give him a shout, thanks. I feel it could be useful to have a knowledgeable UK or English speaking contact.
@JR-01 There is not present reporting here rendering this an uneconomical to repair parts car. It was in decent order so seems highly unlikely to cost tens of thousands to fix. I have no idea why you are putting it down the way you have.
There might be surprisingly little needing done. I am most familiar with 90's Mercedes, a Mercedes Club member so am familiar with the type/era of technology. There is no reason to think a 70,000 mile 1998 corvette couldn't be resurrected with relative ease.
@andy dove I put the car through quite a strict SVA (single vehicle approval) test in 2005. I got euro rear lamps and other stuff from the US to do the work. There's actually been a C5 in and out of a garage in Edinburgh local to me. Not sure where they came from but they said they had got parts for it alright. Germany has quite a lot of American cars, it could be a place to source items from too. Unfortunately the car is on rough ground. Not ideal, and I think it could do with being turned round.
Last edited by silver50; Aug 16, 2019 at 12:36 PM.
Of course I'd forgotten that you'll want to drive it on the 'correct' side of the road in UK. Very low car, sitting on the wrong side. Eek, that might not be as much fun.
Of course I'd forgotten that you'll want to drive it on the 'correct' side of the road in UK. Very low car, sitting on the wrong side. Eek, that might not be as much fun.
In a slightly twisted way it adds to the fun, overtaking on A roads in particular! I used to have a 944 with the steering wheel on the wrong side and my uncle used to have a 1985 Mustang GT I drove here, so I'm used to it!
If anyone remembers his user name I could give him a shout, thanks. I feel it could be useful to have a knowledgeable UK or English speaking contact.
@JR-01 There is not present reporting here rendering this an uneconomical to repair parts car. It was in decent order so seems highly unlikely to cost tens of thousands to fix. I have no idea why you are putting it down the way you have.
There might be surprisingly little needing done. I am most familiar with 90's Mercedes, a Mercedes Club member so am familiar with the type/era of technology. There is no reason to think a 70,000 mile 1998 corvette couldn't be resurrected with relative ease.
@andy dove I put the car through quite a strict SVA (single vehicle approval) test in 2005. I got euro rear lamps and other stuff from the US to do the work. There's actually been a C5 in and out of a garage in Edinburgh local to me. Not sure where they came from but they said they had got parts for it alright. Germany has quite a lot of American cars, it could be a place to source items from too. Unfortunately the car is on rough ground. Not ideal, and I think it could do with being turned round.
I love buying cars that have sat a long time, and you can have a great car for relatively little investment, don't listen to these party poopers. Good luck, you will love it. The fact you know the provenance of the car is a huge plus, so I think you'll be just fine. As just two examples (I have many more), I bought a 1990 ZR-1 that sat for almost 15 years, and turned it into a very reliable daily driver. Really wish I still owned it.
If anyone remembers his user name I could give him a shout, thanks. I feel it could be useful to have a knowledgeable UK or English speaking contact.
@JR-01 There is not present reporting here rendering this an uneconomical to repair parts car. It was in decent order so seems highly unlikely to cost tens of thousands to fix. I have no idea why you are putting it down the way you have.
There might be surprisingly little needing done. I am most familiar with 90's Mercedes, a Mercedes Club member so am familiar with the type/era of technology. There is no reason to think a 70,000 mile 1998 corvette couldn't be resurrected with relative ease.
@andy dove I put the car through quite a strict SVA (single vehicle approval) test in 2005. I got euro rear lamps and other stuff from the US to do the work. There's actually been a C5 in and out of a garage in Edinburgh local to me. Not sure where they came from but they said they had got parts for it alright. Germany has quite a lot of American cars, it could be a place to source items from too. Unfortunately the car is on rough ground. Not ideal, and I think it could do with being turned round.
Why? It has not been run and sat outside for almost 10 years. It would be the last C5 I would try to restore. It will probably never be reliable. If there are rodents where it is, you will probably have to remove the interior and power wash it to get the stink out. If it wasn't fresh oil in the engine it very easily could have turned to sludge by now. I did resurrect a 66 Mustang that had been sitting outside for several years. Pretty much everything, including weatherstripping, interior, radiator, power steering, brakes, gas tank, engine, trans etc etc. Just so you know what you might be getting into. Don't expect to put a battery in it, air up the tires and drive it away.
Thanks everyone! I obviously don't know as yet how things will work out with this car, and I might have to wait longer than I'd like to try and retrieve it but I genuinely appreciate help and interest from here.
Here she sits just now. Small pic. Maybe just as well!
First- Throw a battery in it. Disconnect the fuel line and jumper the relay and run all the old fuel out of it. Change the oil.
Next- Fill with fresh fuel and oil. With the fuel pump relay removed, crank the engine to get oil pressure. Put the fuel pump relay back in and fire it up. Then you can see what you have. It's a Saturday project that will cost you about 150 USD.
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Help to save and retrieve 1998 C5
Good luck, you will love it. The fact you know the provenance of the car is a huge plus, so I think you'll be just fine. As just two examples (I have many more), I bought a 1990 ZR-1 that sat for almost 15 years, and turned it into a very reliable daily driver. Really wish I still owned it.
