So, it didn't take much on her behalf to talk me into it - but my wife is graduating her Masters program December 2015 and wanted some incentive as a gift to herself upon completion. She contemplated all sorts of things and settled on having me build another 69 Vette Convertible for her - we found one on Ebay (and I paid wayyyyyy too much) and brought it home.
The car will need some serious bird cage repair. I'm contemplating buying another car (newer model firewall back) to extract the cage - convert to the convertible...and then swap it.
This is a four speed car with NO options. Right now it has a six link Drag Vette rear suspension...and that's about it. Bought it without a motor. Seller claimed it was a 427 car - but he was basing that on things that you can bolt in and swap (core support, loops on the drive shaft/halfshafts) - but there is no way to know for sure unless the tank sticker is still there - which I doubt. Ebayer knew nothing about the car - just a flipper - so I have to guess. I assume the last person was trying to drag it based on the drag vette parts and screw holes on the wiper door where a tach would have gone and huge on large fuel lines run from the rear.
My wife wants it to have a big block. I did a magazine article a while back on another 69 where we put a Vortec 8.1 and Richond six speed on a LS computer. Also, had the original "Killer" with a .060 over 454 and Edelbrock Fuel Injection.
But - I'm totally on the fence here. She will drive it to work and around town. She does not want a race car. In fact, she would like me to put catalytic converters on it to keep the fuel stink to a minimum as it isn't cool smelling like unburned 93 octane at work.
So - for now we can dream up the future build. I won't be able to get started on it for a bit, but will be collecting parts and ideas.
I sold it a number of years ago - the new owner put in a bowtie LSx 427, Auto trans..and different wheels. They had added an ISIS system that took a total dump and was driving him crazy, so I have it with me to put an American Auto Wire in and some other things.
I suspect this had "some" influence on my wife's thought process.
Sweet car. The Stingray is probably my all time favorite car. I have loved those sweeping fenders since I was a kid. I really like that you stuck a 8.1 Vortec in one, that is cool.
It looks like you have done this a couple times, so I am sure you will make something truly cool and special for your wife's graduation. I believe that a master's degree deserves a Corvette... I wonder if I can convince my fiance that I deserve a 'vette when I get my master's...
Very cool build! Ive been a fan of your builds for a looooong while. Finally picked up my own '69 last summer and plan on going the Ride Tech direction along with a built SBC and 5 speed....unfortunately I too have some rust to address in the windshield frame and around the #2 body mounts. I just started digging into it and Im hoping its light enough that it can be sanded down and just coated for now, the rest of the car is really too nice to want to take the body off the frame at this point.....
Well...its all over but the color sanding and buffing. Took me four days of paint time starting with the jambs - then the main body (sans doors etc) then the doors, hood, deck..then finally the bumpers. I sprayed it using Valspar and their 4400 clear. I'm very pleased with it - all of this over valspar epoxy sealer.
There are a lot of things going on here - I fitted 2012 Camaro side markers and selected a smoked out version. The bumpers are fiberglass from Custom Image Corvette that I fitted to a 1/8" gap all the way around. It also has the CIC 4" rear and 2" front flares...
Anyway, she is happy with it. This color black is absolute total black. Not another tint added.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
New Project - 69 Vette for my wife
Hybrid Mode
