1972 Corvette Pro-Touring Coupe
 

Have a build thread going on the PT site, would like to get your opinions / advice as well.

Long story short - eBay purchase on a whim, too excited to notice problems with car, start to fix "minor" problems with car, MASSIVE scope creep, car in parts but on the way!

I've worked on cars all my life but never completely built one before. Have always wanted to do so; no better time than now. All work that's been done was completed in a tiny one-car apartment garage in San Diego. I've been living in London since September 2011 and plan to be back in SD in late October, hopefully will have the car out of body/paint jail by the time I come back.

The day it rolled off the trailer in August, 2010:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...00809-1935.jpg


When I was in denial and daily driving it in unsafe condition:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/P1010855.jpg


Original inspiration for my build with a few photoshop tweaks:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/Rearside.jpg

Short summation of ~ 1 years worth of off/on work.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0704.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0842.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0968.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_1009.jpg

WHERE WE ARE TODAY:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...10814-1752.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0037.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0017.jpg

HIGHLIGHTS:
TurnKey Engine Supply LS3
Tremec TKO600 5spd

VanSteel Coilovers front / rear
VanSteel Tubular A-Arms
VanSteel Offset Trailing Arms
VanSteel Borgeson Power Steering Conversion

Seam welded / PC'ed frame, etc.

I haven't seen too many pro-touring Corvettes, but I'm damn sure excited to have mine done!

BIG THANKS TO VAN STEEL. Couldn't have done ANY of this without their help.

Some build photo catching up from my photobucket account. My goal is to do everything myself with the exception of bodywork - so far that's remained true; once JD Corvette started digging around I'm glad someone who actually knows what they're doing with fiberglass is taking it on rather than my learning by trial and error.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/GEDC0151.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/GEDC0156.jpg

Windshield frame corner lightened by nature:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0607.jpg

New windshield frame grafted in:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0609.jpg

Windshield fix from the inside:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0614.jpg

Where the 1969 - 1972 collaboration part comes from:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/DSC_0549.jpg

I've always preferred the 4 fender "gills" of the 1968/69 models over the eggrate gills of the 70-72's. As the car needed a new front clip, I figured why not get what I originally wanted? The above pic shows the gills being grafted into a new 70-72 clip, in case I decided against doing additional fender flares the factory flare at the based of the wheel opening will match front to rear.

Bringing the build up to current status:

After waffling back and forth on flaring the car, I pulled the trigger and ordered wheels forcing me to do such.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...loka/photo.jpg

One of the fronts (18x10.5) is pictured above, rears should have closer to 7"+ of lip (18x12.5).

Delivery of the wheels (and another check from me!) then inspired the body shop to align the new front clip and start mocking the body mods up. These photos are just prior to my last visit back around Easter 2012 time.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...oka/photo1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/photo2-2.jpg

DEEP dish! Time for big brakes now too I suppose...

Made two trips to JD Corvette when I was in town for Easter, about five days apart:

First trip:
Stripped the paint and started the right rear quarter replacement.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0558.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0561.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0566.jpg

Brand new tank from Rock Valley - almost a shame to bolt it in!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0568.jpg

Second trip:

Roughed the flares in with them before heading back to the UK. Now squeezing 335's in the rear under her fat booty. Extra curves!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0590.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0594.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0599.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_0600.jpg

Amazing how a little in-person time can get you excited all over again on your project!

My dads restoring a 71 Vette he asked them about your car. He needed a new front clip and asked if yours was for sale but they didn't really give him a straight answer. Anyway he bought an aftermarket one from them. Was your front clip original? Your has come along ways since i last saw it. :thumbsup:

thats cool..looking good

Very nice :thumbsup: :cheers:

Very cool project!

Very cool. Love the flares.

What wheels are those?

Very cool project, can't wait to see more!


Dave, I think they are CCWs.

Fresh update from the body shop today:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ka/flares1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ka/flares2.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ka/flares3.jpg

Super pumped!

Killer project! I like it!

Lee

X2!!! Now if I only had a C3 Corvette... wait... oh Yeah!!! LOL :thumbsup:

I love the menacing lips on those CCW's. Very nice choice. Can't wait to see this car finished. :thumbsup:

This project is turning out to be very much how I would build a C3 Vette.

Awesome build looking forward to see this one finished.

Tonny

Good call. I didn't see the center cap in the 2nd pic.

Looks great man. Which flares did you start with?

That's odd - not like I want the front clip back, should have been for sale! I don't believe it was an original, if so it was very poorly fit.

As mentioned, CCW classics!

Thanks for the nice words! I can't wait either. And I'm on the other side of the planet for the next 6 months :(

Thank you!

I started off with the ACI L88 flares. Cheapest if you get them through Mid America Motorworks - and they keep them on the shelf. Very nice pieces, didn't require much chopping to get to fit.

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.3484

Next step is getting the appropriate tail panel on the car and start prepping for paint, which raises the million dollar question: stick with sidepipes or run straights out the back?

I loved the sidepipes with my SBC in there originally, but no one makes sidepipe headers that match LS exhaust ports or have O2 bungs in the collector. Anyone know how much custom or modded headers generally run?

Really thinking about running straight 3" duals out the back instead...

There are couple of different sidepipe headers available for these car running LSX engine. Or you could just use stock ex.manifolds and fab up the side pipes, that's what I'm doing. :cheers: Your project looks amazing! :hail:

Here's my old car:

https://lateral-g.net/members/ahola/

And here's what I'm currently working on:

http://kuvaton.com/k/YUn8.jpg

I think I remember your past project (and username) from Corvette Forum. Looks absolutely awesome!

Have any more pictures of either the C3 build or the C1 hidden behind it? Maybe a build thread? :)

Base color choice has been made final:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...per-Sports.jpg

2011 Bentley Continental Supersports GT "Quartzite"

Still figuring out the stripe pattern while they're prepping the car for paint but all accents will be matte black.

Challenge of having some work done while you're overseas - all progress updates are limited to the pictures supplied!

Took a while, but it's primed:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ka/garcia1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ka/garcia2.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ka/garcia3.jpg

VERY glad I've been hounding them for pictures; as soon as I saw these I noticed they forgot to flush the front marker lights prior to priming. Would have been an exponentially bigger headache for them had I not noticed prior to paint.

Flush mounted turn signals is a great idea! Will you keep the same signal lights or will those be different too?

Very cool project. I have always like the 70-72's. The L-88 hood looks perfect on there.

Making some good progress, keep us updated. Incidentally, every time I see those CCWs, I get jealous...they are sick.:unibrow:

Couple more body shop updates - in person this time. A little annoyed as they were supposed to have the base coat on by now (leaving for the UK again tomorrow) but I guess it's called paint jail for a reason.

Good view of the extra room the flares afford (stock 8" rally's on there for comparison)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_1375.jpg

Those lines make me fall in love with the car all over again!

They went back and flushed the front markers to match the rear:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_1379.jpg

Quartzite color sprayout card:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_1381.jpg

Test fit of the LeMans lights:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/IMG_1383.jpg

Making some progress slowly but surely! Current plan is to be back in SD full time around mid-September; very excited to get back into the build myself. Fingers crossed all paint and bodywork will be done by then.

That is going to look brutal! Can't wait to see'er in color! :thumbsup:

This is a fun project! I've been a mid year Vette guy for years... like since my first one back in 1971....


Looking good - and this post is my way of subscribing!

Awesome thread! Im going to sub to this to watch. I have the same goal as you and thats do everything but the body work. I love this stuff!

Great project! Subscribing. I've always had a soft spot for C3's especially when they are all raced out. Looking forward to meeting you & your car at an event one day.

:thumbsup:

It's not a mid year Vette. Those would be the 63-67 cars. I'd love to build a mid year and drive the crap out of it. Those things cost so much money that it's out of the budget for a long time.

Looking good with the color. Can't wait to see it painted with the lights installed.

Having owned like 10 of 'em '66 and '67's) -- I'm pretty sure it's NOT a mid year Vette.... I was saying "I'm a mid year Vette guy"... not that this build is. :rofl:

FINALLY HAVE PAINT! Actually had it last week but just got back to London from the weekend in Poland and have been without internet access for a few days.

Any second guessing or doubt I had in my color choice is completely gone. Can't wait to see it with the hood / t-tops / etc painted and assembled. Should be cut and buffed this week.

Current plan is to black out all trim and the chrome bumpers - going to be a pain on pieces like the door handles but should look viscious.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...loka/Soko1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...loka/Soko2.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...loka/Soko3.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...loka/Soko4.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...loka/Soko5.jpg

Don't remember what position I had the coilovers cranked to but hopefully will settle or drop on the springs a bit as weight is put back in.

Cannot even begin to describe how ecstatic I was when I saw these photos. I dropped the body off at JD Corvette in May of 2011 - it's been a long road and a lesson in patience but sometimes good things come to those who wait!

Looks really good! That color is perfect! :cool: :cool:

It's looking good!

:yes:

Cut and buffed, now with the T-tops and hood painted up as well:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/101_3790.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/101_3792.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/101_3793.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...a/101_3794.jpg

Getting them to send pictures while I'm overseas has been a bit like pulling teeth but boy do I get excited when I see them pop in my inbox.

Can't wait to get back and start reassembly. Next thing to figure out is how to mount the man pedal and the DBW LS3 accelerator.

Looks great. :thumbsup:

Very nice! I bet you are going nuts getting see pictures but NOT being able to see it in person. How long before you come home?

That is going to be one nice Vette!