Chazde3's '68 Vette Project
03-18-2013, 09:22 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Chazde3's '68 Vette Project
So as a little back story to this project, my dad passed away on new years day. With that happening, I inherited his 1968 Stingray. It served as his racecar for 25+years. We have photos of him racing it dating back to at least 1973, when he was just 22 years old. I grew up watching him race this car all around Michigan and cant wait to get behind the drivers seat.
Unfortunately he had health problems for the past 10 years or so and he parked the car one day and never touched it again. With that I have a pretty in depth project ahead of me. My mom and I have the undertaking of cleaning out some of his junk/project cars to clear up the yard this spring. When that happens I will take the opportunity to get this project started by getting some new tires on the rims and getting it moved into one of the stalls of my dad's, now mine, garage.
I was never really into cars until recently and the '68 will be the first project I ever get to really do. I don't know a whole lot about it at the moment other than the fact that it has a 454 cu in big block in it that I will either be swapping out for a smaller engine or dropping the combustion ratio so that is more street driving appropriate. The paint is flaking off so it will need to be redone, but will match how it looks right now including the pin striping. The "Charlie's Toy" vinyl will probably be redesigned to color match the red of the stripe. I've never been a fan of the 80's hologram vinyl that my dad went with but the car will always be his toy and labeled as such. Plus he was a Jr. and I'm the 3rd so it still fits as my toy as well.
I will be doing tons of research in the coming months. Luckily my best friend knows a ton about tearing apart and fixing cars so his help will be used quite a bit. Not sure if we will end up doing a frame on or off restoration. But luckily my dad had 40 years of collecting only c3 Corvette parts so I should have replacements for everything that may need to be replaced. I will keep this thread up to date as the project starts rolling along.
Here's a few pictures as it sits right now.
Unfortunately he had health problems for the past 10 years or so and he parked the car one day and never touched it again. With that I have a pretty in depth project ahead of me. My mom and I have the undertaking of cleaning out some of his junk/project cars to clear up the yard this spring. When that happens I will take the opportunity to get this project started by getting some new tires on the rims and getting it moved into one of the stalls of my dad's, now mine, garage.
I was never really into cars until recently and the '68 will be the first project I ever get to really do. I don't know a whole lot about it at the moment other than the fact that it has a 454 cu in big block in it that I will either be swapping out for a smaller engine or dropping the combustion ratio so that is more street driving appropriate. The paint is flaking off so it will need to be redone, but will match how it looks right now including the pin striping. The "Charlie's Toy" vinyl will probably be redesigned to color match the red of the stripe. I've never been a fan of the 80's hologram vinyl that my dad went with but the car will always be his toy and labeled as such. Plus he was a Jr. and I'm the 3rd so it still fits as my toy as well.
I will be doing tons of research in the coming months. Luckily my best friend knows a ton about tearing apart and fixing cars so his help will be used quite a bit. Not sure if we will end up doing a frame on or off restoration. But luckily my dad had 40 years of collecting only c3 Corvette parts so I should have replacements for everything that may need to be replaced. I will keep this thread up to date as the project starts rolling along.
Here's a few pictures as it sits right now.
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Aggitated Monkey (05-30-2019),
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Popular Reply
08-09-2023, 11:56 PM
Drifting
Thread Starter
I figured I should swing by to check in with everyone. The last year has been a whirlwind and it seems to be finally slowing down a bit. I'm hoping to get some time soon to knock out some work on the toy.
First off, my wife and I welcomed our son to the world in February. Hard to believe he's already 6 months old and growing like a weed.
Second, we traded in our 1 car attached garage house on a postage stamp lot in the city for a 2 car attached garage and 1200 sq ft pole barn on an acre 2 miles outside of town in November. We ended up putting a ton of work into the house over the last 9 months. First was rebuilding the staircase to eliminate a trip hazard while the wife was pregnant. Next was new hardwood flooring upstairs, a remodeled master bath, and all new kitchen cabinets and granite counters. Still plenty to do on the house in the long run, but we are nicely settled in now. The sailboat did not stay with the house, but it could have if we had wanted it lol. I also started a new job in April that came with about a 50% pay bump, which is really going to help us fulfill some of our dreams and long term goals.
The next project is to clean up and organize the pole barn so I have a usable garage space to work on cars. I need to have a concrete slab poured in the back half and would really like to install garage doors on the front to make the shop more car friendly and of course install a lift. Pics are from when we first took possession of the house, before the pole barn became the dumping ground for most of my stuff.
First off, my wife and I welcomed our son to the world in February. Hard to believe he's already 6 months old and growing like a weed.
Second, we traded in our 1 car attached garage house on a postage stamp lot in the city for a 2 car attached garage and 1200 sq ft pole barn on an acre 2 miles outside of town in November. We ended up putting a ton of work into the house over the last 9 months. First was rebuilding the staircase to eliminate a trip hazard while the wife was pregnant. Next was new hardwood flooring upstairs, a remodeled master bath, and all new kitchen cabinets and granite counters. Still plenty to do on the house in the long run, but we are nicely settled in now. The sailboat did not stay with the house, but it could have if we had wanted it lol. I also started a new job in April that came with about a 50% pay bump, which is really going to help us fulfill some of our dreams and long term goals.
The next project is to clean up and organize the pole barn so I have a usable garage space to work on cars. I need to have a concrete slab poured in the back half and would really like to install garage doors on the front to make the shop more car friendly and of course install a lift. Pics are from when we first took possession of the house, before the pole barn became the dumping ground for most of my stuff.
03-18-2013, 09:27 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
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Now that looks like a way cool project. Sorry about your dad, but shoot, I would just get that thing roadworthy, clean it up and drive it. Love the vintage race car look. Love those wheels too. Good luck with it. Restore the little things while you drive it for awhile.
Bill
Bill
03-18-2013, 09:36 PM
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
Now that looks like a way cool project. Sorry about your dad, but shoot, I would just get that thing roadworthy, clean it up and drive it. Love the vintage race car look. Love those wheels too. Good luck with it. Restore the little things while you drive it for awhile.
Bill
Bill
03-18-2013, 09:38 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
i love the car and love love love that you are honoring and remembering your dad in this way.......you will learn a lot about urself...and even know ur dad in a new way......i agree with 69 t top...drive as u fix.....and who knows..if u paint one day...duplicate the paint..it has legit local race heritage....
Last edited by BOSTONCAMARO; 03-18-2013 at 09:40 PM.
03-18-2013, 09:48 PM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
i love the car and love love love that you are honoring and remembering your dad in this way.......you will learn a lot about urself...and even know ur dad in a new way......i agree with 69 t top...drive as u fix.....and who knows..if u paint one day...duplicate the paint..it has legit local race heritage....
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Aggitated Monkey (05-30-2019)
03-19-2013, 12:14 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
Sorry about your dad. I really like that car. Those vintage tires look way cool. The wheels are awesome. I would get it running and safe, clean it up and use it as is. Those flares just call for a race car theme, and its already got it!
03-19-2013, 12:45 AM
#8
Racer
If that 454 is the original motor (probably unlikely) or if it originally came with a 454, I don't think I'd swap it down in power. You'd have less power and value at the same time, not a good combo. 
03-19-2013, 06:28 AM
#9
Drifting
My condolences for you and your family. Beautiful car, more so because it was your Fathers. Do your best to keep it and try to stay with the same colors. Your Dad will be there with you as you build it.
The stance on that thing is freakin awesome.
The stance on that thing is freakin awesome.
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sigspeed (12-22-2017)
03-19-2013, 10:32 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
What a beast! Your pops really put something bad-*** together on this Corvette! As others mentioned, love the stance and the heavy-metal appearance of a race car, ready to go to war. This will be a great learning experience for you and you've got to know, that your Dad will be right behind you in spirit, watching and cheering you on. All the things he touched and put together are yours now.
The moss growing inside the car really worries me as well as it sitting outside in a bunch of wet leaves! I'm glad you're getting it inside, the sooner the better! Once it's inside, because it sat for ten years, I'd be inspecting the bird cage and making sure that's intact and relatively rust free. Keep us posted on the project.
The moss growing inside the car really worries me as well as it sitting outside in a bunch of wet leaves! I'm glad you're getting it inside, the sooner the better! Once it's inside, because it sat for ten years, I'd be inspecting the bird cage and making sure that's intact and relatively rust free. Keep us posted on the project.
03-19-2013, 10:34 AM
#13
Melting Slicks
Member Since: May 2001
Location: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
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Way cool story. If it were mine, with the sentimental value it has, I would redo the paint just as your dad had intended. While I'm generally not into flares and customized cars, but I'd definitely make an exception for this one!
Don't tone it down too much with respect to power. It probably won't be your daily driver, so the expense for a little high octane fuel isn't that much for the occasional weekend blast. You may find you like it just as it is. Just make sure it's safe to drive with respect to brakes, etc.
Nice project!
Don't tone it down too much with respect to power. It probably won't be your daily driver, so the expense for a little high octane fuel isn't that much for the occasional weekend blast. You may find you like it just as it is. Just make sure it's safe to drive with respect to brakes, etc.
Nice project!
03-19-2013, 11:06 AM
#14
Drifting
Thread Starter
What a beast! Your pops really put something bad-*** together on this Corvette! As others mentioned, love the stance and the heavy-metal appearance of a race car, ready to go to war. This will be a great learning experience for you and you've got to know, that your Dad will be right behind you in spirit, watching and cheering you on. All the things he touched and put together are yours now.
The moss growing inside the car really worries me as well as it sitting outside in a bunch of wet leaves! I'm glad you're getting it inside, the sooner the better! Once it's inside, because it sat for ten years, I'd be inspecting the bird cage and making sure that's intact and relatively rust free. Keep us posted on the project.
The moss growing inside the car really worries me as well as it sitting outside in a bunch of wet leaves! I'm glad you're getting it inside, the sooner the better! Once it's inside, because it sat for ten years, I'd be inspecting the bird cage and making sure that's intact and relatively rust free. Keep us posted on the project.
03-19-2013, 07:50 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
I am pretty sure that 68-74 frames are almost identical. That is what my new GM replacement frame was listed for. There were a couple of extra small brackets in the back that I had to cut off for my 68 coupe. Lou.
03-19-2013, 08:41 PM
#18
Drifting
Thread Starter
So I was over at my Mom's and popped out to the garage and snapped some pics of the piles of stuff that we have to go through. I didn't even take pictures of everything lol.
'75 vert
Drag car project
There's a Corvette frame under there
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biackbenz (10-21-2019)