77 Corvette? WWLat-gD - Lateral-g Forums

OLDFLM · #1 08-17-2011, 08:17 AM

Many of you know my Dad passed unexpectedly last November 17th... he was a car guy and loved this Forum and the FREEDOMBIRD. He left behind his 57 Woodill Wildfire that he'd had since the early 60s (Glaspar kit car / predecessor to Shelby's Corbra imo) and his 77 Corvette Stingray.

The Corvette is completely stock sans for the candy apple red paint that was done by ProTeam Corvettes in Napolean OH during a restoration by the previous owner who my Dad bought the car from 15+ years ago. The car has always been garage but seldom driven. So it's going to need all the mechanicals checked out before it goes on the road again.

Mom asked if I wanted the car and if not how much it was worth. I know 77's aren't worth much and they were down on power. And intially I wasn't interested since I already have the FREEDOMBIRD and prefer the chrome bumper 68-72 vettes. But today is the 9 month anniversay of his passing and I'm rethinking the car. I could get it, restomod it, and keep it as a memorial of him and his love of cars.

Again it's stock san the paint. And it's got a red leather interior that will have to go if the car stays red. I'm sure the paint has the usual fiberglass cracks and spiderwebs by now too so a repaint isn't out of the question.

Long post, sorry guys, just thinking out loud as I type this...

What would Lat-g do???

V/R,
Ty

Rick D · #2 08-17-2011, 08:52 AM

I say rebuild it, maybe lsx and 6sp auto nice wheels repaint, nothing over the top so if you ever HAD to sell you wouldn't be to far into it cash wise that you could get your money out. Try to think how your dad would have wanted to build if he going to do it, remember he will be there watching to make sure you build it right. But I say go for it

Another thought maybe look into how hard or if at all possible to change out the front and rear and put chrome bumpers on it??

69MyWay · #3 08-17-2011, 09:53 AM

If you want a memorial to him - then you need to do what you can to preserve and or build it into how he had or wanted it.

On the other hand, if you had the kind of relationship with him where he would have wanted you to do what you think best....Then I'd paint it back candy red...then go nuts with the rest of it so it will perform as good as it looks.

There are a ton of cool things you can do with a C3 and some awesome products on the market now to make it easy.

OLDFLM · #4 08-17-2011, 10:40 AM

VIN # is 1Z37L7S418648, just got that via text from Mom. Don't even know what it is or what it has really. It's just Dad's Corvette.

I see a driving restomod at first after getting it roadworthy again. He didn't drive or register it the last several years but before that he'd take it up to the square in Bryan OH for the local cruise nights etc. Fluids, brakes, waterpump etc will need checked.

He intially liked it orginal (even though it had the candy paint) but loved what we did with the FREEDOMBIRD and was talking with a local guy about aluminum heads and a cam for more power just before his passing. It'll definately need more power than stock!

I see a real world budget with updated suspension/shocks, wheels/tires, and better brakes over the long term. Nothing over the top though. I was very blessed with all the support recieved on the FREEDOMBIRD and Chad building it for nothing... I will be doing this myself on a post retirement budget in a 2-car garage.

Suggestions? WW

D?

69MyWay · #5 08-17-2011, 10:49 AM

Okay then,

You could do a Edelbrock type power package (heads, cam, intake, carb, dist) with headers and a ton of detail work under the hood.

You can contact www.vbandp.com and get their full performance plus suspension that will transfrom front and rear to fiberglass transverse springs and come with new control arms...etc so that you can rebuild the whole suspension at one time. This system lets you set ride height and stiffness.

Next, I'd get a rack and pinion conversion - the stock steering is drifty and weak in these things.

Wilwood and others now make nice bolt on brakes to upgrade - or at least go with an aluminum because the old cast ones are problematic at best.

Put a set of offset trailing arms on the rear so that you can stuff a ton of rubber in the back.

OLDFLM · #6 08-17-2011, 12:24 PM

Sounds like a good plan!! And something I can do in stages while still enjoying the car!

I'd love to do a chrome bumper swap and flares like your old car but that is just too over the top for my budget!

This will be a fun cruiser with updates for performance, handling and braking. It has AC so it may even turn into my sunny day driver while going thru the upgrades. Just don't want another 3 year down time while not having something fun to drive and work on.

What size tire will fit a C3 without fender flares btw? I kinda like the look of the C3 in the Digital Corvettes logo...

**syborg tt** · #7 08-31-2011, 07:48 AM

Not sure but this vette looks pretty darn good

I agree fix the mechanicals and put a set of wheels & tires on it and drive the **** out of it.

OLDFLM · #8 08-31-2011, 01:49 PM

I agree Marty!! I can't stop thinking about Dad's Vette... it would make a fun driver!! I just need to figure out how to get it down here from NW Ohio and go thru it!

70rs · #9 08-31-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDFLM

I agree Marty!! I can't stop thinking about Dad's Vette... it would make a fun driver!! I just need to figure out how to get it down here from NW Ohio and go thru it!

Hey Ty...long time no chat. I hope you are well.

Have you checked into shipping quotes? Fuel prices have come down a bit around here anyway, I was thinking it may be a good time to save some $$$ on shipping. ??

**syborg tt** · #10 08-31-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs

Hey Ty...long time no chat. I hope you are well.

Have you checked into shipping quotes? Fuel prices have come down a bit around here anyway, I was thinking it may be a good time to save some $$$ on shipping. ??

Eric is correct - Just ship it and call it a day