C2 Body Off Restoration

[Michael S.]

A bit of advice and opinions would be helpful here. My 1967 327/350 convertible is approaching the 50% stage in a body off restoration. I have targeted NCRS standards but am realistically not likely to show it due to time constraints.

My shop asked two questions:
1. Do I want to keep the smog system in place (it is complete, proper and working- but ugly I may add)or box it, change the carb and exhaust manifolds to proper for a non smog car, and end up with better driveability and reliability as well as appearance? BTW, as most of you know, finding proper smog parts should my current system fail is extremely difficult.
2. As it relates to various nuts, bolts, fasteners, staples (cad plated, phosphate etc.),do I want to over-restore for the look or go for the overspray and related original sloppiness.

His advice was first, it is your car, do what you want, not what the judges want. Second, he would go for the over restoration (no cost difference).

I am a novice here and while this may sound ridiculous, could use some advice. This car is a weekend cruiser and casual show entrant.

Thanks.

[Joe S.]

Re: C2 Body Off Restoration

I'll tell you what I did but that may or may not be right for you. I've tried to stick to originality when it comes to all components of the car. But I am not going to paint my exhaust manifolds orange and get overspray over those beautiful pieces.

I also gave the driveshaft, halfshafts, differential and Tranny a little "spritz" of cast blast to preserve them. I plan to drive the car and enjoy it. I also would like to show it and if at all possible make a flight award. But first and foremost I want to enjoy it.

I've replaced a lot of hardware. Mostly due to laziness and the rusted stuff, even when sandblasted, painted, zinc plated, etc. just doesn't cut it for me (compulsive).

On the flipside, there are things I do intend to do. I'm trying to stick with the right finishes and headmarks on teh hardware. I'm putting it together as per the AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) and I'm having those pieces I don't have the skills or knowledge to do myself, done by professionals (gauge clluster, clock, radio, shift console, glovebox, bumper rechrome, vent window rechrome, hubcaps, voltage regulator, fan clutch, starter, horn relay, distributor and FI Unit. It's costly. But when done I think it will be a great car to enjoy for a long time to come.

So bottom line is I Would suggest getting a Judging Manual from here, read it good, look at some resto books with pics, and decide what's right for you.

My .02!

Joe..

ps: And without the help of all the great folks here, I'd be in deep do-do.




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Ric N.]

Re: C2 Body Off Restoration

Tough decision, I think your idea of a little of both is good. I went more for the look but everything as correct as possible except for the slopiness as said. I powdercoated most of the underneath components, and kept all the paint line neat. The car still took Top Flight, so it can be done with a little of each.

[Clare Carpenter]

Re: C2 Body Off Restoration

I'd second Joe's opinion. I've taken a similar approach with my car, keeping everything original in appearance and function but with a slight bias towards over restoration. I was lucky that my car was mostly intact and original so I've been able to recondition and use my original parts instead of reproduction parts, although some repro parts are nearly undetectable. Sometimes though you have to weight between a servicable repro and an expensive, impractical original or NOS piece. I've used either new and correct fasteners or reconditioned mine. Bare cast suspension parts got a satin powder coat for long term protection. I polished my driveshaft back to the original "chrome" steel appearance and then coated it with Glisten to keep it that way. You can protect under carraige nuts and bolts with Pre-lube or similar product. I'm with Joe on the overspray issues, no overspray for me.

On your smog pump, I'd check with Jerry McNeish at www.z28camaro.com He does excellant specialized restoration work to include smog pumps and stocks many parts for them. He might be able to offer you some advice. He did an aluminum manifold repair for me and it came back looking brand new.

Paint is a big issue and worth alot of judging points. If it's an obvious use of something other than lacquer you would lose all paint points allowed for originality. Same goes for color changes. There are techniques to flaten a paint finish in the door jams to mimic lacquer.

I wouldn't change anything that couldn't easily be changed back. How far along is 50%? Good luck with your project.

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 Body Off Restoration

Mike,

I am just about finished with my ground up restoration. I restored my car to ncrs standards using several books, including the judging manual. This discussion board, however, was the most useful tool, it was INVALUEABLE helping me with my restoration in regards to originality and assembly. My car came out very nice, very original and I am happy with it. Towards the end, however, I began to lose interest spending my time duplicating factory "sloppiness", if you will, and overspraying items that would look better left alone. A lot of the originality was simply a result of hurried assembly and not intended to be appealing to the eye. Anyway, I would suggest definately keeping your smog system intact and installed. Like some of the other responses, I would do a combination of original restoration and that which pleases you. I would restore the major items, as well as those that would be hard to get to in the future to original standards. That will help keep the value of your car if and when you sell it. Perspective buyers will then have the option of enjoying the car the way it is, or restoring items that are easily removed.

[John H.]

Re: C2 Body Off Restoration

From a reliability perspective, I'd "gut" the pump (remove the vanes), as the predominant failure mode here is vane/pump seizure; reassemble it, and it becomes essentially an idler pulley. Performance/driveability with K-19 has nothing to do with the pump - it's a result of distributor advance/retarded timing specs and carburetor calibration, which are easily changed with no visible clues.

[Michael S.]

Re: C2 Body Off Restoration

Thanks for all of the advice guys, as always, very helpful. I will likely over-restore the car a bit, for the look and details, avoiding the sloppiness etc. Not sure about the smog system, but that is easy to deal with either way.

As far as how do I define 50%, long story short is as follows:
- started 12 months ago with a paint job, ended up with a poor paint job (after 9 months), had to start all over. Almost sold the car out of frustration.
- found the right shop in November 2003
- car has been gutted, body stripped and repaired, on a jig for painting
- frame is about to be stripped and refinished and restored to original
- motor is strong, needs to be detailed
- all new interior parts have been delivered, to be installed in March
- hoping for late April delivery

Please stay tuned for more questions.