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So I bought this 61 a little over a month ago. The engine is not original. I don't think the transmission is but I'm not sure about that. Believe it or not I have found no indication that it's ever been in an accident. The frame appears to be in really good shape and so does the body. I was planning on doing a restoration but at this point have decided to put an Art Morrison frame with irs under it and a GM ls376/480 connect and cruise crate system with a 4l70-e. My wife is really excited about the project and she wants an auto. Since my other vettes are manuals I figured doing an auto is probably a good idea. Once I get further along I will sell the chassis and other oem parts that I do not use. I know the seats will be for sale as well. Even though the car has not been wrecked there are numerous gouges and small cracks that will need to be addressed. I'll probably get it completely stripped before I start on that. I'm also making a list of all the parts that I will need and placing orders once I get the list together so that hopefully parts availability won't slow me down too much.
It took a little over a month to get the title sorted out because the vin on the steering column didn't look like it was spot welded. The numbers on the chassis were really hard to read but 3 of them were in the same sequence, and location, as the numbers on the vin tag. that was good enough so now I will get a clear title. The DMV inspector told me that it was normal to run into that but that if I had split the body and shown him the chassis he would have had to issued a different vin.
Anyway any advice or warnings would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Last edited by badhabit_wb; Oct 26, 2021 at 12:14 PM.
I am all too aware of the ticking clock. I'm a 12 year cancer survivor and just had related major surgey as in 5 days ago. This latest dr is extreme and I couldn't be happier with him but he was hung up on doing every cancer test in the book before doing surgery. I'll have a short delay to get over this and then back to work. The Corvette has been set back to second place on the important list but I'm just building a new place to finish my work on it. And everyday I think about the sand that went through the hour glass. Hopefully we all have a good bit left. We've had enough members pass this year. I'll be eagerly watching as you post progress. I'm glad someone is posting a new vision, it's been a little slow in the C1 category.
Very nice, I've been doing a similar project for too long. Get ready to get blasted by the original police.
If it had the original motor and trans I would have sold it and started with another car. Since it will never be all original I have a good canvas for a car that my wife an I can use on a daily basis. I know it will take a while but I'll just stick with it and move as fast as I can. I got a wake up call last year with a mis-diagnosis and life is too short to put off things. The oem parts that I don't use will be available for anyone wanting them for a restoration.
I am all too aware of the ticking clock. I'm a 12 year cancer survivor and just had related major surgey as in 5 days ago. This latest dr is extreme and I couldn't be happier with him but he was hung up on doing every cancer test in the book before doing surgery. I'll have a short delay to get over this and then back to work. The Corvette has been set back to second place on the important list but I'm just building a new place to finish my work on it. And everyday I think about the sand that went through the hour glass. Hopefully we all have a good bit left. We've had enough members pass this year. I'll be eagerly watching as you post progress. I'm glad someone is posting a new vision, it's been a little slow in the C1 category.
I am all too aware of the ticking clock. I'm a 12 year cancer survivor and just had related major surgey as in 5 days ago. This latest dr is extreme and I couldn't be happier with him but he was hung up on doing every cancer test in the book before doing surgery. I'll have a short delay to get over this and then back to work. The Corvette has been set back to second place on the important list but I'm just building a new place to finish my work on it. And everyday I think about the sand that went through the hour glass. Hopefully we all have a good bit left. We've had enough members pass this year. I'll be eagerly watching as you post progress. I'm glad someone is posting a new vision, it's been a little slow in the C1 category.
They told me in December that I probably had less than a year. I got some second opinions and a new Dr in June. He said the misdiagnosed and that he could treat me and I should be mostly recovered in 8 - 12 months. I'm doing much better now. They think it was a combination of covid in march of 2020 and then exposure to mold that got into my system and worked on my lungs after that. I have some lung damage but don't have to use oxygen so hopefully it will all work out. It does lend a sense of urgency to everything at this point.
Glad to hear you found a good Dr and that things are heading in the right direction.
I wish you both good health. It sounds like fortunately you both have been blessed with "the right doctor".
Get back out in the garage enjoying the hobby. Keep the updates coming.
Glad to see a restomod! I've ignored mine over the past year while waiting on a 2021 Corvette to show up. Now that it's here, I can get back to "re-finishing"
my 61. I started a kit car one time - and one of the first items to be installed was the air conditioning and heater.... I never finished the Kit, found my 61 instead.
BUT... now after having it "done", I'm going back after the AC, and finding it to be a real challenge.
Lots of folks here on the forum can help with questions and issues - (Robert61 has helped me a bunch).
Good luck and keep the pictures coming Early Art Morrison Frame - LS6, 4L60E C5 brakes
Sorry I haven't posted. Health issues... Anyway I have the Art Morrison chassis with a 495 hp ls3 and a 4L70 transmission ready to get to work on.
Hi Herman,
What accessory drive do you have? Would you please post a picture taken from the front? I have an AME C1 chassis and a BluePrint LS3 that came with a CVF Racing accessory drive. I haven't had a chance yet to put the engine in the chassis and I am concerned the drive won't fit between the frame rails.
They told me in December that I probably had less than a year. I got some second opinions and a new Dr in June. He said the misdiagnosed and that he could treat me and I should be mostly recovered in 8 - 12 months. I'm doing much better now. They think it was a combination of covid in march of 2020 and then exposure to mold that got into my system and worked on my lungs after that. I have some lung damage but don't have to use oxygen so hopefully it will all work out. It does lend a sense of urgency to everything at this point.
Glad to hear you found a good Dr and that things are heading in the right direction.
Valley fever! bud was misdiagnosed with CA, removed a lobe of his lung and later discovered it was valley fever that could have been DXd with a blood test and meds alone to get rid of it. Mold/fungus infection.
Hi Herman,
What accessory drive do you have? Would you please post a picture taken from the front? I have an AME C1 chassis and a BluePrint LS3 that came with a CVF Racing accessory drive. I haven't had a chance yet to put the engine in the chassis and I am concerned the drive won't fit between the frame rails.
Charles
Here ya go. It's a Holley mid mount 20-185bk in black. Looks like one of the radiator hoses will be tight but otherwise I think I have plenty of room.
Last edited by badhabit_wb; Feb 21, 2023 at 01:35 PM.
Valley fever! bud was misdiagnosed with CA, removed a lobe of his lung and later discovered it was valley fever that could have been DXd with a blood test and meds alone to get rid of it. Mold/fungus infection.
I still have a ways to go. Doing nebulized antibiotics for a year but I'm improving. Looking forward to being able to get some work done on the project.
The CVF mid mount will work with an LS3 and AM chassis, but you'll have to use a remote PS reservoir. I chose to use the CVF high mount so I could have the reservoir attached.
The CVF mid mount will work with an LS3 and AM chassis, but you'll have to use a remote PS reservoir. I chose to use the CVF high mount so I could have the reservoir attached.
Hi Ken,
So as not to hijack Herman's thread. Here is the thread I posted about the CVF. I have the remote PS tank, but I am still concerned about the PS pully sticking out too far. Hopefully I will be able to test fit it soon. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-chassis.html
New Project 1961 restomod
Good luck on the restorations.
