1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

[Travis Williamson]

Hi everyone
I’m new to all this restoration stuff so I would like to poll some of you for answers to some questions I have about restoration.

I just acquired a 1970 C3 convertible from my dad with only 44K original miles. Luckily my dad was the Original Owner so I have most of the paper work on it and the car is in very good condition but needs some work here and there. My main goal is to leave it all original but to get it into show car condition and maximize the value of it.

While I am currently waiting for my NCRS technical manual to come in the mail, can someone give me some tips on restoration? Like what to keep original and when it is better to replace an old part with a new part.

For example, My car hasn’t been driven in a number of years and we left only a 1/4 tank of gas in the fuel tank. Therefore, I now have a bit of surface rust inside the tank. Question is do I just replace the tank with a repro or take the tank to a radiator shop and have them clean it and seal it?

I appreciate your inputs. Im sure Ill have a bunch more questions.
thanks,
Travis

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

"My main goal is to leave it all original but to get it into show car condition and maximize the value of it."

First of all, realize that to some of us, the value will DECREASE as you attempt to bring it to "show car condition." It's an oxymoron to "leave everything original" yet have it in that "show car condition" that approximates a new car.

Corvettes are only original once. As soon as you touch ANYTHING, that part is no longer original in some manner. If I were you, I'd highly consider reading up in the Archives as well as elsewhere about the Bowtie Award. You may have maximum value right now, and only hurt yourself if you mess with the car.

Patrick
Bowtie 72

[Dave S.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

Travis,
Patrick offers you excellent advice. Take your time and do only what is necessary to make the car safely road worthy if you intend to drive it. If you intend to preserve it then my suggestion is to do less. Good luck. You have a rare opportunity and with the family history its even more special.

[Tony H.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

Travis,

Would you tell us more about your car and all the options it has, e.g. Engine size, hp, rear end, a/c, interior, radio, etc. and (radiator cap!!)? Patrick and I have a special interest in radiator caps and are working on articles for the NCRS Restorer. Also, fill out a profile when you get a chance.

Tony

[Dennis A.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

Travis...
A 1970 with only 44k miles...Take Dave & Patrick's advise...Bowtie

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

Travis, the Bowtie is a special NCRS award given only to cars that are UNRESTORED and maintain something like 80% percent of their originality. To give you an idea, bowtie judges look for things like...have fasteners ever been removed. If the car can meet the Bowtie standard, it would put it in a rare class.

You have received good advice for maintaining the car's status until the 70-72 Team Leader can inspect and approve the car for Bowtie competition. This inspection by the Team Leader would have to be done at a regional NCRS meet, and I believe the car has to be flight judged before being Bowtie judged. Contact Chuck Berge after you have searched the archives...he can tell you how to proceed. If the car doesn't qualify for Bowtie, THEN restoration may be the course you choose.

[Mark #28455]

careful with the tank build sheet

If you remove the tank and it still has the build sheet attached, DO NOT take it to a repair shop. Save the tank as is (leave the sticker on it) and replace it with a new repro for street use. The build sheet is only on the original tank once.

[Gary S.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

I received some of this same advice when I acquired a 30000 mile 72. Clean as much as you can with as mild a substance as you can. Note things as you see them, photograph as required. A great document source is to take you Assembly Instruction Manual and make your notes there as you go.

I was sorely tempted to repaint things and bring things up to par. When you park next to a fully restored car, and you start noticing the chips and dings, you begin to think that just perhaps your car can be made to look better. Resist this temptation.

Gary

[Jim T.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

Travis you mentioned surface rust in the gas tank. My 70 got some water in the tank once although I removed it before any damage was done. You might be able to clean up the inside of your tank without removing it and continue using it. I take it that you looked into the tank with a flashlight and saw rust on the bottom of the tank? If you remove the filler lid, clean the rubber piece around the filler neck and them remove it, then you can remove the screws that hold the filler neck to the tank. You will need a new gasket to reinstall the neck. Removal of all these components will give you plenty of access to clean out the inside of the gas tank. This access really makes it easy to clean out the inside of the tank. You may be able to clean it up enough that replacement is not necessary. If your strainer sock is off the pickup tube this can also be replaced with a new one.

[Travis Williamson]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

Thanks to everyone for your responses. They have been very helpful.

I am going to post some pictures and details about the car as soon as I get them organized.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 C3 General Restoration info needed

Your car can't be made to look better.

Patrick