I guess they do exist. Recently my wife was on a girls trip with some friends and one of them told the group she had an old corvette that she needed to get rid of. Her husband had recently passed away and she had lots of things to sell. Actually she had several barns full of furniture, tools and a 72 corvette convertible. Her husband purchased the car in 1984 for an anniversary present. She drove it for a couple of years and at some points the brakes went out and she parked it sometime in the late 80’s. Her husband planned to fix it but never got around to it; so it sat in the barn ever since.

My dad had a 78 25th anniversary model vette when I was a kid. One of my brothers owns it now and just finished a complete restoration,
I had a 66 Chevelle SS in my teens that I sold to buy an old pickup. Regretted it ever since.

I gave him a call to see what he thought about the car I found. To make a long story short, I went to see it and figured I needed a new project so I bought it.



I knew it needed a new brake system as well as a bunch of upgrades. The odometer shows 58,000 miles, the interior is old but ok for now, the engine was a total unknown except for roller rockers and an Edelbrock intake manifold. The engine numbers indicate it was from a ‘72 corvette; just not this corvette!!

My brother came up to help assess the work ahead. We found out the engine would not turn over by hand. So we pulled the engine and trans. We found water or antifreeze had gotten in to the #1 Cylinder and was rusted into the block. In addition, the cylinders had been bored 40 thousands over and with the rusted cylinder, probably couldn’t be rebuilt. Dang.

The current plan is to 1. Replace the entire brake system. 2. Put a new crate engine 3. and then figure out what else needs repair

I’m not planning to do a total restoration, but just looking to have a reliable weekend play-toy.

So the adventure begins. Updates forthcoming.

MikeM

 

Hello,
WELCOME!!!!
The photos show what might be a VERY nice find for you!!
Seems like you've got a good plan laid out!!!
Always good to make it STOP well before making it GØ well and then Look well!
Has the word RUST come up yet?
Corvettes of this era can develop frame and birdcage rust..... maybe none, maybe some, and maybe a lot.
Do you know how and where to look?
You'll get lots of guidance here.
Good Luck!!!
Regards,,,,

 

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a nice find.
I agree, really check it over for hidden rust. Could really ruin your day if you spend a ton of money on her only to find the bird cage is rotting away.
Have fun!

 

I was aware of the potential rust issues. Only minor surface rust on the frame. Bird cage OK. The car was in Georgia so minimal snow and salt. I’ll need all the help I can get.

In addition to removing the engine, replaced the gas tank and had the radiator rebuilt.

 

I’m telling the girlfriend she needs to find cooler friends with Corvettes in their barns.

Looks like a fun project! Following

 

Welcome, what a great find.

 

Congrats on your new toy! Best wishes getting it back onto the street quickly. At the pace I’m going, you will probably beat me

 

100% before you dump all your time & money into it.

2 Easy spots to check first, inside behind the speaker covers lower front driver & pass sides, also the rear trailing arms where they attach to the frame. Much harder is behind the chrome windshield trim, sometimes a hint of rust can be found peeking out around the vin plate on the vertical pillar post & around that area from the outside.

Welcome to "CLUB C3" where you & your wallet will soon part friends !!! Fingers crossed for you ............!

 

As for that badly rusted cylinder And all already +40
Perhaps a cylinder sleeve or two would still be within practical budget. ?
And, if you can find an older regional auto machine shop; one that still has a Piston Skirt Knurling (sic Nurlizer?) Machine (and an operator with the proper chops) ?

 

Cool find,good luck with the new project!

 

We all need projects to keep us busy, nice find and enjoy building it and getting on the road!

 

Exciting for you to get started, should be lotta fun! Good luck!

 

Well, I finally got started on “Task 1 - Brakes”. Replaced the rotors, calipers, brake hoses, brake pads and repacked the front wheel bearings.


Next week I’ll install the new brake booster and master cylinder. Wish me luck!

 

”Stop, go, look well”, absolutely Allan!

I remember a year or so ago a new member wrote that the order of work to be accomplished, would be, “safe, fun, and awesome!”. Could not agree more.

 

Where are you located this car looks very familiar too me for some reason

 

North Georgia mountains

 

Nice car. I cannot wait to hear it running brother.

 

I love the North GA mountains! What a place of beauty!!!

 

Welcome to the club, nice project. Hope the calipers you bought had the SS sleeves and o rings.

What crate motor are you looking at [or bought]?

 

Hope the calipers you bought had the SS sleeves and o rings.


No Doubt about that.

Are you near Yona or War woman trail. I am in Augusta, Ga. but I love the N. Georgia Mtns.

With a C-3, there is Always something to get done.