75 Conv Restoration-where to start?

[Lynn Morgan]

I am the 2nd owner a 75 L48 4 speed convertible since 1979, white w dk blue leather, shoulder belts, map light, orig pinstripe ww spare (never on), hardtop, AC, Tlt&Tele. It has 29k miles (25k when I bought it). It had door dings on both sides and I made the mistake of having it repainted (lacquer) and ended up with a terrible paint job with overspray on weatherstripping, ect. In 1990 I had it on a trickle charger for several days with the top up and car cover on and went to start it on New Year's day. As soon as I turned the key on, the battery exploded (hydrogen gas buildup I guess); part of the battery partially penetrated the soft top. It destroyed the perfect interior. I collected the insurance and it is still sitting in my shop in the same spot. The engine and chassis is orig (orig plugs, all smog equip intact) but with paint and interior needing complete redo, I don't know what to do with it (sell it for nothing, part it out, burn it, whatever). Have been inactive NCRS member off and on for a few years but never attended an event. I need some help with what to do.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 75 Conv Restoration-where to start?

At this point you need to decide if you want to get it ready to sell yourself or ready to enjoy the NCRS judging system. If you sell it as is or have it repaired by someone else so you can sell it is hard to say which will result in the best results for you. With the milage it has a restoration to Top Flight is a nice thought but will probably result in more money invested than it could be sold for unless you do most all the work.The chassis and the engine original is nice but for flight judging you could improve them where needed. Lyle

[Jack H.]

Alternatives....

available to you are several fold these days. Basically, we have two categories of concours judging (restored cars= Flight and unrestored cars= Star/Bowtie). The later is rather new intended to preserve 'untouched' Corvettes from the restoration process as examples for others to view and learn from. Getting a current copy of the NCRS Judging Reference Manual (the 'white' book) will give you details on ALL of the club's current award/recognition programs. In addition to traditional restoration (Flight) and preservation (Star/Bowtie), there are several new catagories aimed at those who don't really want to build 'museum pieces' out of their Corvettes; who want to drive/use/enjoy them and these include the Founders Award and the Sportsman Award.

Back to what to do....

Studying your alternatives is the first step for you. Once you have a clear understanding of the different directions you can go with your Corvette and you've decided which path or paths (you might want to do one, then come back and do another) to target, the who, what, when, where issues begin to crystalize. As I tell my 'flock' -- do NOT just dive in and start fixing this/that! Figure out what your end game is, study it, then start to make your move(s)!

[Wayne P.]

Re: Alternatives....

Unless your interest has changed in all the years it's been sitting there, it sounds like you should just sell it as is. I don't think you're interested in working on it.