Matching Numbers Question 75 Vert.

[Matt Crunk]

I'm about to undertake a complete frame up restoration on my 1975 Corvette Convertible. This car came to me as a $1500 basket case Coupe with no motor or transmission, which some previous owner had tried to turn into a convertible by simply hacking off the top and glassing in the rear deck. However I've also acquired a genuine 75 convertible body (with good title), and plan to use it to rebuild my car as a true convertible, and title it as such upon completion.

I know this will never be a ture numbers matching car without the original engine, but is it possible to compete it in NCRS events with a correct (restamped?) engine, or will this forever be a bastardized car?

Matt Crunk

[Michael W.]

Re: Matching Numbers Question 75 Vert.

With all due respect, I think worrying about having your engine stamp pad passing judging criteria is the least of the challenges in front of you. If you are thinking about using the coupe VIN and the convertible body together, I don't think you'll even be able to legally register the car for the road never mind put it on a judging field. The body type is encoded into the VIN number.

If this is not a concern, then look at the $$$ you'll be putting into the car, vs. what it would be worth when finished. You could buy a top flight REAL '75 convertible for far less than it would cost to do what you're planning.

Mid 70's C3s are at the low end of the value scale, it's rarely worthwhile putting much time or money into restoring them.

Hope this helps.

[Matt Crunk]

Re: Matching Numbers Question 75 Vert.

Well, for starters, I would not be using the coupe VIN with the convertible body. I'll be using the Convertible body's original VIN and title (as well as it's factory coding), and essentially rebuilding it, using my existing coupe as the "donor" car for major components such as frame, suspension, etc. Either way, the entire drive train and 90% of all interior and trim parts will be brand new.

Secondly, Money is of little concern with this project. The primary objective for me is the journey: the satisfaction of the restoration process, and of ultimately ending up with what I have considered my dream car since I was old enough to utter the word "Corvette" - a mid 70's body-style convertible. (Actually a '66 Convertible would be my ultimate dream - if for no other reason than that's also the year of my birth - but I don't happen to have a 66 project car on hand at the moment.)

Sure, I could find a nice, all original 75 vert for a lot less than I will ultimately spend on this restoration. But where's the satisfaction in that? It'll still be a 30 year old car, however well maintained. When I finally roll my finished (re)creation out of the garage for the first time, I'll essentially be driving a brand new car. At least it'll look and feel that way. How many 38 year olds, in the year 2000 something, will ever get to say they put mile #1 on a brand new 1975 Corvette? Much less one they themselves built? That's the point.

But with all due respect to you Mike, nothing in your response answers my original question. The answer I seek will simply help me determine whether to build this car "like it was" (to exact factory code specs) or like I wish it was (however I want it).

[Michael W.]

Re: Matching Numbers Question 75 Vert.

OK, with that clarification I'll take another stab at it. If you simply want to know whether a car that has a non original engine is automatically disqualified from receiving a flight award the answer is no. There's no single deduction that puts you out of the running.

Again, I'll repeat myself that (it appears) you're worrying too much about the engine stamp pad. Please read up on the NCRS flight judging system to see how it works, and to evaluate whether the expense and effort required to restore an ENTIRE car to flight level is the way you want to go. I'm not sure that a car built with brand new driveline and 90% brand new interior and trim parts will look close enough to factory original to score well. Don't assume that new parts are necessarily 'correct' parts and will do well on the judging field. Many repo parts for Sharks are absolute cr*p, and as such serious restorers search out good used or real NOS parts. Parts that are rare for a '75 might well be the same rare parts needed for earlier year C3, so you'll be in competition with those guys. He who has the deepest pockets wins.

I'll give you some good examples - the rubber ring around the top of your air cleaner that mates with the underside of the hood. Try and find a correct repo, or a good used one. Try to find a good EGR valve, with correct numbers. Same with the smog pump diverter valve.

If you decide that you're serious, then by all means fire away with more questions. Good luck to you.