C3 best way to go

[Dale P.]

I am in the process of replacing wheel bearings in our 71 LS5 .. started out to be a simple bearing only deal .. however, found leaking shock, badly worn rubber bushings and a small leak in the rear caliper .. question is simple .. should I repair what is there leaving it as orginal as possible, replace with new replacement parts from say .. corvette central ... or what??

the car is a 23K mostly orginal car fully documented all owner history and I have basically all the ORGINAL parts to make the car 100% orginal (less a few bolts, screws and repalcement hoses, clamps etc) .. where is my money and time best spent? Restoring back to orginal?

The engine compartment has been painted once .. maybe twice in the past so it really doesn't match the age of the balance of the car but is nicely done .. The car shows sign of a very old paint job on the body as well .. but I can not find any body damage ..

we would like to drive the car and it does so very well .. but I am concerend that if we spend all this time making it 100% orginal we will have spent more money then we can recover ..

any thoughts anyone?

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 best way to go

What you have posted tells me (Bowtie) is gone and at this point there are many ways to go. Fix and clean up as needed and you may break even. Make it all like or better than new and lose money but not to much if you do all the work yourself. Any way you do it enjoy.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 best way to go

Dale-----

The best plan ALWAYS is to restore original parts THAT ARE RESTORABLE. This will NOT include rubber parts like bushings, etc., leaking shocks, bearings, or brake hoses. Those items will have to be replaced. Just about everything else should be restorable.

NEVER, EVER attempt to re-use worn and/or non-restorable items or other items of questionable serviceability if those items are related to VEHICLE SAFETY (fuel system, brake system, steering system, etc.).

[Joe C.]

Do What Your Gut Says

Based on the tone of your original post, I get the idea that you would like to restore this car. Since it is not entirely original, and therefore of little historical value, I would take numerous pictures of any remaining original areas. After that, have fun........money no object (if that is your bent)..........and restore the car to like new condition. If you will not get any pleasure out of doing it yourself, and farming out the absolute MINIMUM of the work, then leave the car alone. After that, if you can't appreciate the car for what it is, then sell it!

Joe

[Craig S.]

Re: C3 best way to go

As everyone else says, you have multiple ways to go. One thing I would do though, is send your brake calipers to Vette Brakes and tell them you want the NCRS restoraion with the control numbers inside, and black paint like original. They only charge $10 more per caliper to do this and you can have your original calipers back on your car....well worth it!!!....Craig

[Dale P.]

Re: best way to go-reply

first, thanks to all of the wonder people who restore and enjoy these cars and of course their insight and help .. We have enjoyed corvettes since 1972 .. Our current 71 is realy a nice car and needs only minor TLC to make it a very very nice corvette .. We wish to continue to enjoy it (drive it) but really don't want to go through the full restoration process car doesn't need it .. there are some items that need attention now and I am sure there will be more in the future (like the carb)

thanks to all
have a very merry christmas

[jim34671]

SAFETY FIRST *NM*