C3 - New to Corvette Restoration

[Steve B.]

Recently, I achieved a lifelong dream and purchased my first Corvette, a 1976. This winter's project will be removing and restoring the engine. Since I am new to Corvette restoration I'd just like to ask that you please forgive my ignorance. Can anyone offer advice on the best way to determine if the numbers match (originality), what are the best resources for parts and information, what things, if any, should I be aware of or watch for? My ultimate goal is to return this car to as close to original as possible. Again, after reading the posts on this site I realize I have a great deal to learn so I might as well get started and thank all in advance that can offer any advice.

Steve Boyd
76 Coupe

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - New to Corvette Restoration

Steve-----

In order to check for "matching numbers", you will need to compare the car's VIN, found on the plate attached to the inside, left window pillar, under the windshield to the VIN derivative stamped on the engine and the transmission. The engine VIN derivative will be found on the stamp pad on the block extension just in front of the right side (passenger) cylinder head. The last digits of your VIN should match the stamping on the block. A similar stamping will be found on your transmission. If an automatic, it will be found on the transmission main case, left side forward. If a 4 speed, it will be found on the right side vertical surface of the main case, just forward of where the extension housing attaches.

There is also a VIN derivative stamped on the frame, but it is difficult to see and, likely, not of too much import at this time if the car has an original-appearing VIN plate.

You will find a great deal of information on this and MANY other subjects in the accumulated archives of the NCRS Technical Discussion Board. Search there first, and if you don't find the answer to your question, post a new question.

[Jack H.]

Welcome to the sport/hobby!

You're in the right place doing the right thing (ask/learn/understand before you start wrenching this/that). Joe Lucia's advice is perfect!

I'd only ad:

(1) If you're not an NCRS member yet, consider joining the club.

(2) If you are an NCRS member consider joining and getting active in your local chapter.

(3) Now that you've bought 'baby', consider spending a few more dollars (about $100 will make a solid start) to construct a support library for both the car and yourself. In this library, consider buying:

(A) The NCRS Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide (JG)-- what do factory concours judges look for, how, where?

(B) The Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM)-- how did GM/Chevy originally put the car together and what parts/proceedures did they use?

(C) The Chassis Service Manual (CSM)-- what did GM/Chevy tell dealership mechanics about how to service/repair this/that?

(D) The NCRS Judging Reference Manual-- when a car is judged in factory concours meets, who does what, when, where and what are the different award & recognition categories offered by NCRS to me and my car?

There are other neat/keen books you might want to put in your library over time, but this is a solid list to start with. All can be purchased at the STORE on this web site....

[Howard Butler]

Re: C3 - New to Corvette Restoration

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the group and I would have to say that I have learned more from reading the current and past messages here than I had learned in 20 years drooling at cars in pictures and shows.

I too, just purchased my first Corvette just a few days ago. It's a 1969 T-Top 427 (L-68)Tri-Power, 4sp, A/C, PB, PW, PS, F41 Suspension, etc. With my newly acquired knowledge from this forum, I was able to quickly pass on several "fake" cars being offered. As I narrowed my selection down, I was then able bargin with the seller or at least get him to throw in the orginal parts. Mine has a Hurst shifter and an after market radio, but I able to get the orginal parts in addition to all documentation (repair recipts) from the past owner dating back to 1972.

I greatly enjoyed documenting and verifing the numbers match. It was like plalying the roll of a dective, uncovering clues, following leads, etc. Driving the car is not for the faint hearted as it's been fited with the mechanical cam/lifters from the L-71 motor and has Flowmaster mufflers. With the excepting of a few items, it is very orginal and simply needs cleaning up, a carpet kit, and paint.

I hope you will will find the time spent researching and working on your new car as exciting as I have.

Best,

Howard

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 - New to Corvette Restoration

Steve,

The others have given great advice.

My usual first advice to the new owner is to NOT touch the car for a year. Learn it. Find other original 76's to compare your to. What is original on yours, what is not. Take LOTS of picures at large meets like Carlisle, Bloomington and the NCRS Nationals. Even judge a 76 or two.

Then, carefully document your car with photos (I love digital and black and white for this) before digging in.

If you really want to make your car as correct/original as possible, don't be afraid to wait. I didn't touch mine for a few years after I bought it, but there are still things I wish I had documented or photographed. And, I bought it after I'd already been judging and into the hobby a few years!

Good luck.

Patrick

[Craig S.]

Re: C3 - New to Corvette Restoration

Steve - everyone elses advice is perfect.....I would add one thing....given you are working on a 76, chances are much better than on say a 67 you are dealing with either original parts, or, for wear/maintenance reasons, parts that have been changed for repair, versus restoration and hence you have a lesser chance of someone faking parts. Glad to have you in the Corvette fold!...Craig

[Roger Legge]

Re: C3 - New to Corvette Restoration

I wish I had read Patrick's advice right after I bought my car. I bought a '68 coupe, very original but not 'mint'. Thought it was a 327/300, M20 but it turned out to be an L79, M21, A/C car. By the time I learned about Survivor or Bowtie judging, I had already done some things that I wished I had not done. Nothing bad, but I look back now and realize I had a very, very original car - got it four years ago and it still had the original plug wires on it, things like that. They're hard as rock and I broke a couple replacing them, but I do still have those plug wires. Speaking of which, keep every itty bitty piece that you may remove from the car even if you only suspect it's an original part. I did have the good sense to do this. They truly are original only once and there is a very big difference between original and restored. I wish I had found this forum and posted an intro right after I bought my car. Final comment - I have all the books suggested here, read four years worth of Vette magazines, including two years of The Corvette Restorer, yet several times a week I read things here and realize, over and over, there is simply an incredible pool of knowledge right here. Good luck and have fun!

Roger

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 - New to Corvette Restoration

Roger,

Agreed. My second rule is to keep absolutely every little part ever removed from the car. You wouldn't believe what silly stuff I still have.

Actually, I have to credit Richard Newton, a fellow magazine writer, with the advice about not touching. I didn't touch mine at first because a) I wanted to do it right, and b) I didn't have the money. I replaced the half shaft U-joints (they were about to break) and then did nothing for a while. I repeat this piece of advice, though, to everyone I can.

Few listen. Too bad. I fully understand the excitement of wanting to work on a newly purchased car, and it's a wonderful temptation.

Patrick