Drawing 1973 Corvette

[Alex van Wijngaarden]

Hi all,

In the near future I am planning to buy a 1973 Corvette with a 454 CU engine. It has been my dreamcar for all my life. I want to make a lot of changes to the technics. For example, I want to build a completely new, light weighted frame and I want to rebuild the engine with 4 valves per cilinder with fuel injection. Further I want to make a complete list of changes to the car. Basicly the car will be completely different from the inside (not the outside!). After rebuild I'll need to get the car approved by the authorities.
I am designing a lot of these modifications for a couple of years now. Because I absolutely do not want to change the outside of the car, I have to use the available space as effeciently as possible, so I'll need the measurements of the car. Also for the frame design I'll need the measurements.

The problem I am experiencing is,that I do not have the mechanical drawings of the car. I want to draw the modifications on the computer with AutoCAD, using the original building drawings. Only I cannot find them anywhere. I was hoping that anyone could help me get these drawings. I am looking for the drawings of the frame (including suspension ect.), the bodywork and the placing of all components like the radiator and the fuel tank.

I hope anyone can help me out, I'd do about anything to get these drawings
Best regards,

Alex van Wijngaarden
Kiplingstraat 27
3076 TA Rotterdam
The Netherlands
e-mail: alexvanwijngaarden@zonnet.nl

[Patrick H.]

Re: Drawing 1973 Corvette

Alex,

Sounds like a project that will test your wallet and your patience.

For economy, you may be best of purchasing a usable 1973 body with interior, and then building the chassis and mechanicals to fit underneath. If you're going with a tube frame, you might as well use newer C4 or C5 suspension and make it worthwhile. Otherwise I don't think you'll gain much by changing the frame configuration but not the suspension. Plainly said, there are a lot cheaper ways to take weight out of the car.

Else I would highly suggest you contact someone like Paul Newman's Car Creations at http://www.carcreationsinc.com/html_2/63home.html They have already built tube frames with modern suspensions, and will have done the homework and headaches for you.

Then, take your 73 body and your built motor, drop them in and have fun.

Patrick

[Jim T.]

Re: Drawing 1973 Corvette

You can purchase a 73 Corvette service manual and get the frame info and you will have the genuine service manual for working on the car when you find one.

[Alex van Wijngaarden]

[Alex van Wijngaarden]