Re: 68 response

[Dennis M.]

I have read most of your questions and responses, with a real question of, If you are planning to make a driver of your '68 , are you also planning on flight judging also. This is good for the correct use of Corvettes, but you need to make some decisions before you jump into the restoration process. I see where you body paint person want to provide additional support for the fenders. From the factory they were fine, unless they were hit and thus the cracks are causing the weakness, in that case you would get deduction for the the damage and the repair if it is not as it was from the factory. Therefore your point deduction can not be determined in this forum.

The first Corvette that I attempted to restore was done after at least two years of research; two to three years of judging experience; and a good two years of photos of other completed and judged examples. You may want to attend a regional this year and hopefully see a good example of a '68 Corvette. Bowling Green in April 22-24 and not so far a trip for you.

[Chester]

Re: 68 Big thanks!!

Your info is better than any book I read. I feel like I've cluttered this web page, but you come to a stopping point and it's frustrating. Like the bolts that hold the clamps to the fuel, brake lines?? color, finish? head marking? Do you guys think that I'm taking this (restoration)too far?I want top flight. What's the point break down? top flight, 2nd, 3rd? My brake booster has no date on it?? None on my parts cars either?? I NEED to see a 68 car at a show, but it is winter and your help is great. I got info on replacing the rear brake shields, printed it, and did it. Never would have attempted it with out this web page. You (all) are great and this is why I love this hobby!! Can't wait to meet some of you and show pictures and swap stories..

I hope my questions are helping others..

[Jack H.]

Re: 68 Big thanks!!

3rd Flight = 75%, 2nd Flight = 85%, Top Flight = +94%.

You want Top Flight? Piece of cake, Chester. Just do what you're doing (serious question asking restoration), don't toss anything out, when you come to a fork in the road do the best you can (unless it's an irreversible item like paint) and button 'er up.

Now, jump in, drive it until you're happy it works like it's supposed to based on the Operations section of the Judging Guide. Last, find an NCRS Chapter, Regional or National event that's a solid distance from home (>500 miles). Register, put 'er on the road and drive 'er out to be judged. BINGO, Top Flight!

NCRS is the only Corvette factory concourse organization that gives credit for driving your car to the meet. With, say, 500 miles under your belt you'll add 500/100=5% to your base score. So, an 89% 2nd Flight score becomes a 94% Top Flight!

Scared that's not enough, come on out to Idaho National this summer!

Seriously, there are limits to the NCRS milage driven credit, but you're a dedicated guy and you'll do a pretty good job from what I see. You won't get everything right the first time (nobody does, and the definition of 'right' changes as we all learn). So, hit the biggies with verve, let the small change slide until you get a set of calibrated eyeballs on 'er and can put yours on the '68 next door to you on the judging field. Have fun, and let 'er rip!

[Patrick H.]

You're Welcome!

You're Welcome!!!

As Jack said above, if you are willing to travel, you can find help. I know you said a couple of weeks ago that your chapter didn't have 68's or at least that the "center" of your chapter was 1 1/2 hours away. I know how you feel. Here in Holland, Michigan we are 3 hours from "everyone" else in the chapter, which seems to think there are no Corvettes outside of the Detroit metro area. For them to have a meet in Lansing, still 1 1/2 hrs away from here, it was a big deal.

I would see if Eric or Gary know any 68 gurus near you. I would also consider stopping by, say, ProTeam, for a visit. While I may not agree with their prices, you may see several 68's and 69's to help you. It's worth a try. On a slow weekday, they would probably be willing to help you. Just make an appointment before you show up. And their buildings are not well heated this time of year, or at least weren't last time I was there.

Keep giving us questions, but don't be afraid to be VERY specific when asking us something.

By the way, the bolts that hold down the fuel and brake lines to the frame are black oxide with recessed head centers and integral shoulders. Also they appear self-tapping, per my recollection. I put some back in the 72 project a month ago, so I think this is correct.

One more thing ... You previously said your car was going to be a "driver", and now say that you're going for Top Flight. While you can do both (and its tough), it makes a difference as to what type of answers we give you. On my Driver I don't care if I get the "exact" shade of black semi-gloss on the bumper brackets, but on a Top Flight car I do. Get it?

As Jack said, you "picked" one of the toughest years to work on. By the way, what sort of options does your car have? Other than being a convertible, we know little about it.

[Jack H.]

Re: You're Welcome!

Nice additional thoughts, Pat (Pro-Team, Etc.)!

BTW, I am thoroughly confused with this distance BS I hear in threads. Grew up in Detroit. Thought nothing about going to see my friends in K-Zoo, Houghton Lake, Saginaw, Etc. Now that I'm in Denver, I think meets in Alburqueue (500 miles) or Phoenix (900 miles) are 'next door'.

When I campaigned my '65, it saw LA, Cypress Gardens, Detroit, Chicago, NYC, Etc. Drove my '71 to a 20 year school reunion at Purdue. Roy Sinor said "real men drive 'em" so I'm missing the point where you guys in the Midwest and on the coasts have umpteen chapter activities within a few hundred miles. What's the problem?

[Patrick H.]

Drive 'em

I rebuilt my motor while living in PA in 1996. I then promptly drove it to Bloomington, to my new home in Michigan, and then from MI to Carlisle and back that summer. I put more miles on my "old" Corvette than anyone I know.

This past Friday I drove across the state and back (but not in the Vette) to the Detroit Auto show. Driving does not bother me. I love it, and drive to both the Bloomington (5 hrs) and Carlisle (12 hrs) shows each year. Of course, I often also go to Chevy/Vettefest in Chicago and others within MI.

Our chapter is notorious for sending you a newsletter that tells you of "future" events about 2 weeks before they happen. As a physician whose on-call/work schedule is made out 3 to 6 months in advance, I just can't accomodate this. I have to PLAN to make these events. If I still lived in Detroit, as in medical school, I am sure I would make many more. And there are many NCRS Michigan members on this side of the state who are less-than-active members because we are essentially forgotten. When I started a new Corvette club in town 2 years ago, we seriously considered becoming a new NCRS chapter for this side of the state just because of this.

Anyway, I agree that if Chester is interested, he'd better get himself moving to personally observe a wide variety of cars.