I seem to recall seeing a book on 53 to 72? chassis restoration and was wondering if anyone can comment on how good this book is as an accurate guide. Any color pics,is there much on the C3 chassis,or mostly C1&C2,is it in depth enough for Top Flight and so on. Thanks again.
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Re: 69 chassis resto info
Greg, the book you saw was "Corvette Chassis Restoration Guide, 1953 Through 1972", by Joseph A. Tripoli, Jr. This is an excellent general reference giving good overview information on C1, C2, C3 chassis.
It will not be suitable as a guide for meeting Top Flight requirements, because most of the information given in the book is not even judged. The obvious choice for restoring to Top Flight will be NCRS' 68-69 TIM&JG.
No book has been written that is a better authority on your car than the car itself. In your profile, you say your car is very original and numbers matching...well, there you go!
As you disassemble the car, take LOTS of photographs, and bag/tag every fastener and every part. A good method for small parts and fasteners is to use zip-lock sandwich bags, and insert 2" X 2" Post-It notes with the part identification into the sandwich bag with the parts. It is a good idea to also write the AIM sheet number and part item number on the Post-It note.
A good objective is to try to clean and restore each item as it is removed from the car. Solvent clean fasteners, and then NOTE AND RECORD the finish if possible. Once they are wire brushed, it will be impossible to determine if the fastener was once black phosphate or natural. -
Re: 69 chassis resto info
Of all the books I've bought, the best two are the assembly manual used with the TIM&JGComment
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Re: 69 chassis resto info
I believe that if you go to the NCRS on line store, you will find the '53-72 Chassis Restoration Guide for member price of $20.00Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: 69 chassis resto info
I got this book when I was new in the hobby, a decade ago or so. It showed me a dissasembled chassis, components and numbers. That was a good start for a novice like me, later I became more illustrated on the subject and needed other books as other friends mentioned. JG and AIM are always at my side when working on the car, but depending on the work, I use Tripoli's book from time to time. No book is perfect!!
Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMCComment
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Re: 69 chassis resto info
Well thanks for the insight guys. I do have the TIM&JG and I have to say that it is great. I guess one of my concerns is knowing what color,size/shape etc of the chassis marks and paint dabs...you know shim marks and any other markings that a chassis might have on the assembly line. Is there some place where I could get this info from. What do the judges look for in this area when it comes to the 69 model year?Comment
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Re: 69 chassis resto info
Greg, cars built at different times during a model year, maybe even on different shifts on the same day, can have inspection marks in different areas. At least one vendor offers a chassis marking kit with descriptions of typical inspection marks for different years.
When I was new to restoration, I considered adding all the recorded inspection marks for 70 Corvettes to my car. I then realized that isn't restoration, because I would be adding something to the car that never existed. I found many inspection marks on my chassis, but not many matched those in books.
The chassis inspection marks are pretty durable; unless the marked surface has rusted away, like on the frame, the marks will still be there. Clean everything carefully as you disassemble; if your car is in good original condition, I expect you will find all the inspection marks that were ever there. You can easily duplicate the existing original marks. One exception is the driveshaft part number stencil and inspection marks...those are likely to be gone. Tripoli will be a help there.
As I said before, I don't think chassis marks are judged, and the variation may be the reason. Since inspection marks cannot be guaranteed to be at any location (except maybe the steering knuckles and ball joint stud nuts), it would be tough to judge them.Comment
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Re: 69 chassis resto info
You have a 69. Then take in count that Tripoli's book uses 69 chassis and parts in many of the pictures. That could be important to your car, even there is a driveshaft stencil picture. If corresponds to your car, you could scan the picture, enlarge to correct print scale, make a black and white silouette, print and use it to make your own stencil (actually just a cut paper) to spray in yellow, if this is correct to your car...
Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMCComment
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Re: 69 chassis resto info
Roberto, you can also get the driveshaft stencil and the frame stencil (cut to order) from Quanta Products. The stencils may be available outside of the chassis marking kit if one wants to pass up on the paint and crayons. They have a website...type in "Quanta Products" and it will come right up.Comment
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Re: I agree with Chuck
Two years ago I stripped my 68 down to the bare frame and from suggestions recieved from this group, kept a scrap book with sketches and took digital pictures to boot.
It has paid me back in Aces. After two protracted years of either parts shopping, parts restoring or just delays, I am very thankful I have this information to fall back on (Grey matter challenged you know )
I went the baggie, post it and sharpie marker route.
It's worth that little extra time and effort believe me!
By the way, Mr. Tripoli's book though very informative is not the end all do all. Even my extreemly rusted chassis and running gear still had remnents of paint and lumber pencil marks, you just have to be careful when you start to peel the grime off.
Good Luck,
Chuck RiceComment
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