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?