Body off question

[Charles K.]

i brought my car to a local corvette specialist to inquire about a restoration. It would be $20,000 to do the engine, trans, engine compartment and to fix the body and paint. I was wondering how possible it is to do a body off myself. I have good mechanical skills( though not a pro) and am in the process of building a 3 1/2 car garage equipped with a lift. I am not in a hurry and would like to save the $ and have the experience of doing my own car. He like to use a new full front clip. Is this a pipe dream?? Thanks
Charlie

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Body off question

Sounds like you came to the right place as a lot of us do the same thing and you can be sure to be steered in the right direction here

It's all very straight forward work.

[Joe Cauvin]

Re: Body off question

I had the same dilemma when I restored my C2. I was very intimidated about the work and had most of the car done for me. BIG mistake. I ended up having to correct much of the "restorers" work and realized that it was pretty easy to do the work myself. Except for body and paint, I could have done EVERYTHING on that car. With a dedicated garage, the right tools, PATIENCE and some good assembly manuals(not to mention checking back on the forum frequently), you can absolutely do the bulk of the work yourself. In fact, I encourage it! Probably would leave the paint and body work to the pros but you can do some prep work like stripping paint yourself. Good luck!!

[Charles K.]

Re: Body off question

Thanks for the response and the positive reinforcement. Having this forum available makes me think that I may be able to pull it off. does anyone know how hard it would be to put a full front clip on? and if the body has to come off to do it right? The car from the firewall back is great it just has a lot of front fiberglass issues. the shop I went to likes to do it that way to get the best result. The right front fender was patched in and the area around the headlights is s**t.I would have the engine professionally done because DIYing it doesnt seem worth it considering the cost of parts. I have a factory manual but not an assembly manual, are they different and should I get one? There is a great machine shop in my area that does a great job and will do a complete rebuild for $1600. This includes a 350 HP cam(it is a 300) and all new components. The guy has been doing engines in the same location for over 30 years and gives a 3 year 36,000 miles guarantee.My concern is pulling the body off and if it is really needed. The car is nothing special, it is a plain jane 1964 300 HP roadster with no options but I like it. I have been looking for a project to do in the new garage and this car seems like a good candidate. I have the room for the frame and body so it is tempting, but a little scary at the same time.I have to determine how far to go with it. I am not looking for a trailer queen but would like a really nice driver that I can enjoy taking for a cruise. The interior is perfect and original so I wouldnt touch that if I dont have to mess with it. al advice is very much appreciated.

[Tom D.]

Re: Body off question

CDs and VHS Videos are aval. which show panel removals.

Got to get between the seams with a chisel, and work along the seams.

Tom D.
4889

[Phil P.]

Re: Body off question

20k is a bate and switch program on a complete resto---you will get what you pay for---the car will be of the same value---you will be 20k lighter in the wallet---use caution

[Larry P.]

Re: Body off question

I agree that paying somebody 20K is not going to get it done properly. I spent over 20K and did all the work myself. I had the gauges restored and the paint done. If you do anything , do it all and do it right. You can get all the answers right here. I would do it again and the joy of driving it has made it all worth it. It took me seven years, partly time and partly money. I play over 100 rounds of golf a year and still work, so, it can be done.
Larry

[Bryan L.]

Re: Body off question

Go for it, after all it's just nuts and bolts. Plenty of help around if you get in a jamb. Make sure you bag and tag the parts as you take them off. The trailing arms and differential can be sent out, you seem to have a handle on the engine and tranny.

Buy you a small sandblaster, a bead blaster, inexpensive spray gun for the frame, etc. and give it a shot. A friend in Florida that does restos sends the frame and all suspension parts out and gets them rebuilt and then blasted and powder coated. That's another option and a lot quicker and much easier than doing it yourself. That's my least favorite part.

I've done every part of my resto with a little help from my friends on the paint and body. I lucked out and bought a car that was freshly painted but the wrong color so the body was nice except for glassed in 63 headlight buckets that I had to disect out.

You can also get a break on parts from certain vendors if you plan large purchases. You will make some large purchases. I have probably spent upwards of 25K total. I like Long Island, Paragon, and Dr. Rebuild. There are plenty of other places to get your carb, chrome, horns, and things like that done. HTH

BL

[Charles K.]

Re: Body off question

Hey Larry,
I am also spending time on the golf course. Where are you located, i would be happy to have you out for a round.
Charlie

[Eric F.]

Re: Body off question

Charlie,

My wife and I are just finishing a body off restoration of her 75 convertible. It's taken us a little over a year and was a great learning experience. You can do it if you do the research and don't get in a hurry to finish it. I suggest you purchase an Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) made for the specific year of your car. Also check the NCRS store for the various other manuals and books. (Some of the books can be found elsewhere for less money but remember that the NCRS needs operating funds to be able to provide this forum and all the other benefits to Corvette enthusiasts.) You will also need a digital camera so you can photograph everything before you disassemble it. You will need lots of plastic bags, a black permanent marker, and at least 6 large plastic tubs or boxes to store all the parts. Make sure you label every part as you remove it and then make a list of the box you put it in.

Don't order any parts for the car unless you will be installing them within 30 days. I learned the hard way that there are many suppliers that will give you a good discount if you place large $$ orders. The problem arises when you finally get around to installing the parts and find that they are defective or the wrong part. Most return policies are 30 days and warranty policies are 1 year. I ran into a few problems where the parts were defective and over the 1 year time frame. I was out of luck. Another one was within the 1 year but I had to return it at my expense and then pay for the shipping of a new part. Shipping both ways exceeded the cost of the part, not to mention that I was gun shy about the suppliers quality.

Keep these things in mind and then have a great time. There is a great deal of knowledge in this forum so don't worry. But remember to get more than one opinion if you have doubt's. I would never have been able to finish my car if it wasn't for this site and some of the honest suppliers to this hobby.

Email me if you want to know which suppliers served me the best.

Good luck.

[Steve Wallach]

Re: Body off question

Hi Charles,

I am doing a "Body Off" on my 1968 BB Coupe. I have minimal mechanical skills and I have done everything but "machine" work so far. It's not hard, take plenty of pictures as you dissassemle and notes. DON'T throw anything away! Even if it's the "wrong" part or a worn out part, you may find you were wrong or the part will be a good reminder or template!

This site is a FANTASTIC resource and be sure to get the Judging manuals. What year is your car?

The job and car will be much more of a rewarding experience if you do most of it yourself! Go slow and as long as you have the space you'll be fine. A lift Helps a ton also.

Good Luck,

Steve

[Charles K.]

Re: Body off question

You guys are GREAT! I have made the decision to do it. BTW my car is 64 roadster 327/300, very no frills car. Any thoughts on the one piece front clips?

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: Body off question

Charles,

I also encourage you to do it yourself. I'm in the middle of a '65 BB roadster that I purchased as a basket case sans nose. It's very satisfying doing the work.

If you are considering replacing the nose on your '64, do it BEFORE you remove the body from the chassis. I also recommend you purchase a jig assembled unit (we got ours from Sermershiem). Further, get one without the lower side panels attached and glue them on later. It will make the job MUCH easier.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[Jack H.]

Even better...

than having access to this forum can be joining NCRS, joining your local NCRS chapter and getting active. Why?

Well, you should be able to develop a relation with fellow members in your neck of the woods who've been there, done that, got the T-shirt who'll open their doors and HELP you as you progress on the project. They know who does what (services) locally and can give you pointers on where to find this/that elusive part + how to do this that.

Here in Denver, we've often made an individual member's body pull/body install a chapter group activity. The member provides lunch + beverages and he gets experienced manpower to show up and help him turn-key the job. Lots of fun + a learning experience for all!

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Body off question

If you want it to be a "correct" NCRS type points car then a jig assembled front end is the way to go, but it does cost a fair amount. If you are just after a nice driver, ACI is probably the best aftermarket one piece front end on the market for about 1/3 of the cost.