C3-1971 LT-1

[Pete Schick]

Do the doors need to be removed before you remove the body from the frame?
Thanks, Pete

[Mike G.]

Re: C3-1971 LT-1

no, its better to leave them on and closed.to much body flex without it.

[Pete Schick]

Re: C3-1971 LT-1

Thanks, Do you have any suggestions or "gotchas" to look out for? Pete

[Mike G.]

Re: C3-1971 LT-1

yes, make sure you pull the rear bumpers off first. you also have to pull the steering column out. its not that bad a job. i helped a friend pull his 70 body 2 weeks ago. it takes a few hours or so.

[John H.]

Re: C3-1971 LT-1

Be sure and rig up something to support the extreme front of the nose - there's a lot of weight out there, and the cantilevered load can shear the bond at the cowl.

[Pete Schick]

Re: C3-1971 LT-1

I've cut the pieces out according to Noland Adams body lift work book. Now I
just need to put it together. Thanks for the advice. I'm beginning to realize
how much of the work needs to be done by me and not a shop due to sheer time
involved and the expense of using a shop. I do know that I can't do everything
and the advice available from this organization is priceless.
Thanks Again, Pete member #48271

[Verle R.]

Restoration costs

Pete,

You have discovered on your own what a lot of people only discover after their car is in a shop and they start getting bills for work performed. Then when they go look there not a lot of obvious progress. Not all shops are ripping you off. There is a lot of "small detail" work that just doesn't appear to be much but takes a lot of time if it is done right.

There was a thread earlier about restoration cost. This is a problem when estimating the cost of a correct restoration. It is fairly easy to estimate restoration cost for major items; body/paint, frame/running gear, engine, transmision.

Someone has to spend significant time locating and buying correct parts.

It is not easy to estimate it the cost of repairing/replacing/restoring the parts when the rusted bolt twists off and you have to spend a lot of time carefully drilling out and taping the hole. Then you have to find a correct bolt to replace the broken one. Etcetera, etctera, ad infinitum.

Once you have made your best guess, multiply by three and you will be low.

Verle

[Mike G.]

Re: C3-1971 LT-1

if you have access to a car lift it works better than a smaller engine hoist.

[Pete Schick]

Re: Restoration costs

It makes you wonder how much the car is worth after your done when your looking at what you've spent or about to spend. I guess I'll find out somewhere down the road....
Thanks, Pete

[Pete Schick]

Re: C3-1971 LT-1

We happen to have one...