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My name is Chris and I just bought my first vette a little less than a month ago here in Colorado Springs. It is a base C6 centennial edition. I am looking to do some tasteful modifications to it while fixing some things that have broken with wear and tear. I have been chasing down a way to have my seats refurbished. The hinges are loose and padding is compressed after all the years. Also the door handles, shift boot, and e-brake boot fabric is stiff. The question I have is if anyone has a way to refurbish it or can source another. I have listed my planned mods below but want to thank you for reading in advance.
planned mods:
- new infotainment to upgrade tech
- smart mirror with rear view camera
- new steering wheel
- zr1/grand sport fenders, wheels, and brakes
- coilovers
- cam, heads, forged internals
- head and taillights
Welcome, Chris, the 100th Anniversary Corvettes are cool (at least IMO). I haven’t been around any of those, but it appears as if the wheel and seats are Alcantara, and I am obviously showing my ignorance. Through the Forum, you will be able to find many threads about repairing/replacing the items on your list. Enjoy your new baby, and best of luck in molding it to your desires!
Looks like you have a plan. Nice list of mods to bring her back to her former glory and then some. Looking forward to watching your progress. Congrats on your C6.
Cool car. Best of luck in your endeavors in fixing / restoring it. I'm curious as to why you just didn't buy a centennial edition GS to begin with?
Sounds like you've done some homework.
There's a ton of threads on there on part list, etc. I think most comments will say that it's pretty expensive to try to get the parts, fenders, you'll need a front nose also, and wider wheels, etc.
I'm curious as to why you just didn't buy a centennial edition..
There's a ton of threads on there on part list, etc. I think most comments will say that it's pretty expensive to try to get the parts, fenders, you'll need a front nose also, and wider wheels, etc.
it will cost you more to change all the body panels, bumper facia and have the car re-painted, buy the big brake kit, upgrade the suspension and get the wider wheels and tires, than it would to have purchased a CE GS to begin with.
Cool car, and welcome to the forum! Since it's your first Corvette, I really recommend driving and enjoying it before you get too deep into any projects. Maybe just focus on swapping the infotainment and fixing up the interior a little, for now.
I've got to echo the other guys' advice about the Grand Sport swap, too. If you want a GS, that's great! Start saving the money you would spend on the parts and when you're ready, sell your car, add the savings, and buy a Grand Sport.
The good ole “just widebody it” post.
When I was looking I was dead set on a widebody and hello. Everyone told me to just get a base and convert it and wrap it. I don’t think people realize the delta of doing that is probably 2x the difference of just getting what you want from the get go.
Why do you want to swap internals? Unless there is a reason like you are building for a 1kwhp+ build or you want big cubes, there is no reason to swap internals.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
I bought my C6 in 2006. Of all the things you have listed, the only things I have done are the seats, which were uncomfortable, and installing an after market back up camera.
I'm going to go against the grain here. No one knows how much you paid for your car. Your plan appears well thought out. So, your approach is probably the best financial option for you. Your listed mods are not going to cost much. Depending on your skill level.
The entire widebody kit can be done for under $3k. Paint can be done for under $2k.
The interior can be a bit trickier. The shifter and ebrake boots can be reconditioned to look, feel, and smell new with Leatherique Rejuvenator and Prestine clean. Depending on the condition of the dash, door panels, and seat covers the Leatherique can do the same for them.
I personally don't recommend the rearview mirror camera screen. I had one and hated the small and low picture quality. If you're upgrading the stereo head unit anyway, I recommend the Kenwood DDX9907XR with the Boyo rear camera and the Kenwood front dvr. All of which are amazing! The head unit has inputs for 4 cameras. I put one in each door mirror. I got the stereo and stuff from Crutchfield, the BEST company in the world for that stuff.
If you're capable of basic mechanical work most of this will be fairly easy.
If you're capable of painting the car, all of this won't cost a lot.
One final note, I don't know of a way to recondition your steering wheel, but I do know of a great, inexpensive upgrade wheel that another member posted and I subsequently purchased myself and LOVE IT! It was purchased on the big Jeff Bezos site.
Corvette_Dez beat me to it. Nobody knows your initial investment cost, your budget, or your skill level. If you can do the work yourself, a widebody kit is easily doable. Also agree with PMPerformance. The LS short block is truly a brute. You can slap a cam and heads on it but unless you're looking to put down 4 figure HP rating, it's completely unnecessary.
Hi, Welcome from Colorado Springs,
Hope someone doesn't drive into the side of yours.
I looked into a mirror camera on my old one and was not able to find anything that would work really, went with a new head unit with 2 camera inputs and did front and rear cameras which worked really well.
One of his steering wheels is my next upgrade, for sure.
He can do just about anything you want. I wanted to stay with a round wheel so worked it out with him. Mine is understated compared to others but is exactly what I wanted.
Yeah, the wheel, center console, both door handles, and seat inserts are all Alcantara. I have gone to upholstery shops to try to refurbish these seats, but I think the fabric has faded over time. We discussed that since the seats have some play at the hinge, it was suggested that I find a new set to have my covers put on.
1st Vette
it will cost you more to change all the body panels, bumper facia and have the car re-painted, buy the big brake kit, upgrade the suspension and get the wider wheels and tires, than it would to have purchased a CE GS to begin with.
