Storing parts for a c 1

[Debra P.]

Can anyone advise me how I can store my original soft top from my 58. I bought a restored frame from J.T.Piper in Il. It looks great & he made it so I just have to bolt it in.I was afraid if I took the skin off the original frame I would never get it back on(it is in delicate condition). Is there a protectant I can spray on the top & frame to keep it in good working order.I have heard horror stories of keeping a frame closed, then trying to open it again was a real job.The top is starting to show it's age & I use my car,Arizona is a good place with old cars.I am making every effort to keep all the original parts in A-1 condition.The seats,lenses,show tires etc. are all in an air conditioned room.If anyone can add to my efforts to keep this 1958 survivor car in it's original condition I would greatly appreciate it. I just bought this Corvette in September & I am new. I did not expect to be so lucky as to get a car that is so original. This car still has the inspector marks it still has the frame stencil & paint marks from the rearend to the front from the G.M.inspectors. Also I'd like to know about the mileage. Is it true that mileage is an issue. Every old car i'v seen in a garage being stored looks like it is just disintergrating, that is why I want to drive & enjoy my car.The help i've gotten from the NCRS is just great,thanks everyone who has helped me so far. To all a very Merry Christmas.
Thanks,
Deb

[Gary Bishop]

Re: Storing parts for a c 1

If I am correct Deb. Once you remove original parts you can not put them back on to be judged as Bowtie. We used to look closely at fittings (nuts & bolts) to see if they have been tampered with. I hope someone will jump in here and give you more/better advice.

[Debra P.]

Re: Storing parts for a c 1

Hi Gary,
Thanks for trying to help me out. I am a little confused about the judging. This 1958 Corvette I bought in September was everything I wanted...a numbers matching 1958 Corvette. Unfortunately I have health issues and a powerglide was best for me & it is difficult for me to comprehend the judging manuals... that is why your helping me is priceless. It turns out that this car may be one of the only, if not, THE only unrestored 1958 Corvette in the country that is all there. This was e-mailed to me by a very well respected judge. I live in Scottsdale & I had a Corvette historian come to look at the car.
He seemed very interested in the judges who judged the car & acknowledged that some of the judges were the cream of the crop in the judging world. The car & the judging sheets were no disappointment to him...his trip to see the car wasn't a waste of his time. He also warned me about people removing & swapping original parts...that I should just be aware of who is working on the car. That really surprised me(scared me too)... LOL! So now I am being very careful to preserve the parts that were married to the car. It has won the Bloomington Gold Survivor, NCRS 3 Star, Top flight,& some others, so frankly I don't think I can really show the car for anything else. I would like to keep her parts in the best condition for historical preservation. What would you do ?

[Geoff C.]

What would you do ? I'd drive it

and let the next folk worry about the wheels coming off.

[Rob Dame]

Re: What would you do ? I'd drive it

OK Doc, how many of your old cars do you drive ON A REGULAR BASIS?

[Geoff C.]