2 COOL Vette Builds

[James Y.]

Hi Guys,
I am in the process of doing two vettes....a 69 roadster and a 65 coupe.....any comments or advice...www.southtownstreetrods.com....click on unfinished projects
Regards

[Stephen L.]

Re: 2 COOL Vette Builds

Don't get the parts mixed up between the cars. Catalog and bag all the bolts with location so you can get 'em back together correctly. Take LOTS of photos of all pieces as you dismantle so you have a guide for reassembly details.

Don't throw ANYTHING away....

Clean up and reuse as much as possible.... repops just are not as "correct" as the real thing!!!!

Don't get discouraged in a few years when they are not yet complete....

[Mike G.]

Nose Droop?

Great looking shop! Whenever I see midyear bodies on a dolly without the nose being supported, I cringe a little.

I'd like to get some opinions from our members about whether supporting the nose of a midyear body off the frame is just "good practice" or is it a MUST?

Mike

[Chuck S.]

Re: 2 COOL Vette Builds

In classic car restoration, there are generally two classes..."rods" and collector cars. Any old car, say a 49 Dodge 4 door sedan, can be restored into a "rod", but you may be the only one that loves it.

Generally, a car that starts out as a highly desireable muscle car or an elegant classic can be restored into a vehicle that you can financially break even with if you do the work. If it's a rare model (big block, "numbers matching"), you may actually make money if you buy in right, and do a good (read NCRS) restoration.

If someone else is doing the work, then they are going to make the money if there is any to be made. If you start with a less desireable car, and someone else is doing the work, you will lose your pants financially...better have plenty of money you can afford to lose. Everytime you throw a bunch more Benjamin Franklins into the money pit, be able to say "this is just for fun".

Speaking only of the 69, the starting status of the car means everything. A 69 Corvette is a desireable car, but unless it's a near "numbers matching" big block, shop restoration of the car will put you very deep into a hole. If you inherited the car, you might have a shot at breaking even. Unless this build is a "reely ccol rod and I don't care what it costs me", I would carefully examine the projected cost. This requires considerable skill at knowing at good cost estimate when you see one...you almost have to know how to restore the car in order to know if the restoring shop isn't blowing smoke to keep you "on the hook".

Since NRCS is biased toward originality, I would also determine if I could "afford" that aftermarket front suspension, but that's JMHO.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Nose Droop?

I had my 67 COUPE body on a dolly for about 2 years. I did provide a nose support but there was literally no weight on the supports After about 3 months the wood twisted a little and a space developed under the nose supports. I would place spacer material in the gap but it would fall out for various reasons. Long story short, I really didn't need the nose supports for the front clip, HOWEVER, if someone leaned on the fender or front end, then the nose supports carried that weight. Best to have them for that reason. You could actually tip the body by leaning on it, if the supports were not there.

On a convert I would definitely recommend nose supports as well as tie pieces in the door openings, especially if the cage is a little rusty

[Chuck S.]

It Depends On...

How long you leave on the dolly.

On a shark car, the unsuspended weight is even greater because they appear to have greater overhanging weight. At two years, you may be safe...I can tell you from experience, you WILL get stress cracks at the fender peaks if you leave one unsupported too long. I suspect you may also get some change in the fit-ups as things, uhm...relax.

I have no idea on maximum time allowable but I can tell you that 7-8 years is more than enough to do the damage. You pay the price later when you try to get the hood sides to match the fender contours and the hood corners to be flush (#@%&**&%$).

Never again will I use a half-a$$ body dolly that only catches the middle four body mounts; it doesn't matter how long it will be on the dolly. I wouldn't recommend one of those unless the total restoration time was a year or less.

[James Y.]

Re: Nose Droop?

hi guys
We were a little concerned ahout the front clip on the 65.....but at this point is does not seem to be a problem.....the build is only 3 monuths old.....the body will be on the chassis next week....we dont drag projects on forever...as for the 69 it was a basket case.....but is going to be a VERY nice car.....we dont do CORRECT resto ....but nice cars that are driveable...
Regards

[James Y.]

Re: 2 COOL Vette Builds

as for the 69,
It was a gift from the owners wife....he has no concern of what the car will be worth....only how GOOD it will be...