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Before I get into the pictures I'll provide a quick back story -
Since the day I could drive my dream was to some day have a corvette, though it took many many years to become reality. I scratched the itch by exploring the "tuner" scene, specifically Subaru. Lost interest, got into jeeps, then the wife came, then the house, then the kids and so on. Finally the time was right to find a clean, higher mileage affordable C5Z (favorite body style) to start wrenching on. In August I contacted a forum member (Z06_Lu) and ultimately ended up buying his Z sight unseen, which was a little nerve racking though he was super transparent and forthcoming with every bit of information. I had hired a local transportation company to pick the car up and drive it from FL to our doorstep, however, this turned into a disaster. They showed up to load the car and realized (after photos were provided) how low these cars are and declined to haul, sent a second truck, same story, Growing agitated my wife and I flew to FL with plans to drive the car 24 hours back home, straight through, and managed to do just that! It was quite grueling though we made it home safe, not without trouble, however. About 5-6 hours from home the clutch began sticking to the floorboard, growing steadily worse. Finally made it home, exhausted, pushed the car into the garage and left it sit for a couple weeks as driving it for 24 hours was enough excitement for the next month.
Then the project started -
Replaced the clutch with a Monster twin disk, new slave, remote bleeder, plugs, retune, etc. All work was done by CSP (Highly recommend).
Once returned I made the decision to begin a "light" restoration and really bring the car back to life.
Bringing this back from the dead. Whole car has been ceramic coated, new shoes, new dewitts goodies. Won an award @ Carlisle. Next up will be a big brake kit and eventually some A&A power
Week #2 - Find a hiding place for the car and begin sanding, and sanding.....
- Paint is being stripped with DA, guide coated, and blocked out with 180. I had thought about replacing the flimsy plastic F/R bumper covers though didn't want the concern of hitting a pothole and cracking given how low the front is. So getting these as flat as possible....
That is some experience and one that you both will never forget. Glad it turned out well. Looks great.
Congrats on finally fulfilling your dream and welcome.
Weekend #3 -
Again, sanding, and sanding. While working full time and having an energetic toddler at home my time is limited, all work is primarily being done over the weekends.
Weekend #4 / #5 (End of January - Early February)
Rockers take some time! Had some fiberglass cracking and broken tabs. Rear brake ducts must have been glued / double sided taped back on from previous paint job and caused some damage. Unfortunately I didn't snap any good photos of the fiberglass repairs.
Weekend #7 ( 2/19 thru 2/26)
- Wrapping up some odds & ends blocked by the doors, sanding repairs (infamous damage at jacking locations)
- Programming / cutting some SS backing plates for the mirrors that are mounted on the backside of the door. Looks like GM made these from some sort of un-coated steel and they're majorly deteriorated and flaking. Will provide photo once reassembly begins.
- Sanding some odds and ends like mirrors, gas gaps, etc.
Weekend #8 (3/5 thru 3/12)
- Prepping hood (filthy!) and washing down with heavy degreaser (all parts being thoroughly cleaned with heavy degreaser before sanding)
- Sanding some more...... again, starting with DA and blocking down with guide coat using 180.
- Finding out how difficult parts are to find for these cars already!
1. Reveal molding for around the window seals - Could have reused though they're damaged enough to want to replace
2. Aluminum retainer brackets that hold weather stripping
3. Weather stripping, both LH/RH window seals, front windshield, rear window, etc.
Marc at Vette nuts has been a HUGE help and savior at this point!
Seems like these cars are old enough that OEM parts are slim pickings though new enough where there aren't many aftermarket options.
Weekend #9 ( 3/12 thru 3/19)
- Started to prime behind the scenes a bit, parts pictured below have been prepped for paint
- Prep procedure - Guide coat, block sand with 600 (wet), wax and oil degreaser, inspect, repeat as needed.
- Couple parts need touched up with primer due to burning through / flattening of panels.
I'll catch the thread up to current progress as time allows and hopefully throughout to completion and reassembly!
What did you end up doing to source the reveal moldings and front windshield weather stripping? I'm in the same boat, although my Zed needs quite a but more work than yours but ironically it looks like we are doing the same thing, you must be a perfectionist like me!
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Apr 9, 2022 at 01:55 PM.
Enough to drive myself crazy!
As far as parts go, I've been able to source 90% of what I need through Marc at Vette nuts, both new and used parts. I'd highly recommend them!
Weekend #10 (3/26 to current)
- Working on pulling the front & rear glass, this was quite the task as the weather stripping was harden into the recess and extremely difficult to remove. Was able to get it cut out and fish a wire through the sealer to remove. Cleaned everything up well and pushed the glass aside. I'll likely be replacing at least the windshield to get rid of 20 years worth of chips & scratches.
- Again, Vette Nuts was able to help me out in sourcing the required weather stripping for reassembly when the time comes.
- Headliner was pulled and damaged from deterioration, NO one has a decent one laying around so I'll be making a fiberglass mold prior to reassembly.
- Previous paint job neglected to remove weather stripping (don't blame them) and caused a "valley" to be dug between the molding and body underneath so filler was required to flatten out.
- Car was finally able to see some light again, pulled outside to remove 4 months worth of dust prior to primer.
- Spent some time masking off the entire underbody & everything else
- Sneak peak of the final color - very difficult to see, once sun hits it should show off pretty well......
Vader Vette, pic heavy!
