Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted - NCRS Discussion Boards

Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

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  • Jim F.
    Expired
    • October 12, 2014
    • 4

    Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

    Sorry for the long post. my car is a '78 L82 4 speed. Yellow with oyster interior. Numbers so far all are period correct and most pieces seem to be original.
    However a PO had replaced the carpets, seat covers and console cover and did a very poor job. he also did some paint work. the hood and part of the rear section have paint work. again a very poor job. i think he went all out with 320 grit sandpaper! the rest of the paint is faded, chpped nicked and looks good from 50 feet @50mph.

    the engine compartment is missing the shield around the distributor and the fresh air snorkel over the radiator is missing.

    My plan this winter was to just make all the small stuff work: buzzer, door locks, antenna as well as give it a tune up.

    But i developed a vibration around 55 MPH. In checking the front wheels i have play in the right one. wobbles when i hold it at 12:00 and 6:00. Wobbles at 3 and 9. this repair needs to be done first for safety and it can only get worse and more expensive if i drive it that way. so might as well replace bushings, tie rod ends ball joint. When apart i would like to paint those parts which would take more points away from a bow tie. Correct?

    My question is given the work done by PO owner do i really even have a bow tie candidate?
  • Edward J.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • September 15, 2008
    • 6940

    #2
    Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

    Jim, truly the best way to answer your question to take the car to a local chapter meet and have them access the car first, this will give you the starting point on which way to go with it. missing pieces can be replaced but should only appear as the rest of the car,(unrestored)Bow tie judging is meant for cars that have really been mostly untouched since it left the factory, most of the bowtie cars I have seen and looked at have low mileage ,but does not mean there are not higher mileage cars out there.
    New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.

    Comment

    • Michael W.
      Expired
      • April 1, 1997
      • 4290

      #3
      Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

      Technically speaking a Bowtie award is for cars that pass in all four categories- exterior, interior, mechanical and chassis. Sounds like it's already too late for interior and exterior. The remaining two may/may not pass, if so they would be awarded a 'star' each. Re-installing hardware that was removed and put aside is one thing, sourcing replacement components because the originals were lost is another.

      Take the car to a chapter meet as suggested above is the best way forward.

      Comment

      • Alan S.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • July 31, 1989
        • 3415

        #4
        Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

        Hi Jim,
        Welcome!
        First and second posts!
        I'm glad you found the Discussion Board.
        You mention 'small stuff'… remember, there is no Operations section in Bowtie judging as there is in Flight Judging. So things don't need to work.
        As has been mentioned… the more untouched the car remains the better!
        I agree with the thought of taking it to a Chapter event to have some knowledgable members give their assessment of it Bowtie potential.
        Regards,
        Alan
        71 Coupe, 350/270, 4 speed
        Mason Dixon Chapter
        Chapter Top Flight October 2011

        Comment

        • Jim F.
          Expired
          • October 12, 2014
          • 4

          #5
          Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

          Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. I dont want to do anything stupid. But i really should fix the wheel wobble. may be bearings which i dont think is judged? may be ball joints which are exposed and inspected. then there is the issue of bolts vs rivets.
          i think i have to accept the potential point loss unless there is a way to fix it and remain original?
          i understand that '78's are not as collectible as earlier models and there are lots of pace cars and SA's with little even no miles. I have no visions of grabure that i can make my driver into something exceptionally valuable but when i do something i want to be smart about it.
          again, any more advise is appreciated

          jim

          Comment

          • Michael W.
            Expired
            • April 1, 1997
            • 4290

            #6
            Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

            Originally posted by Jim Fitzgerald (60560)
            unless there is a way to fix it and remain original?
            That equals 'restored'. It can be original only once.

            Comment

            • Tracy C.
              Expired
              • July 31, 2003
              • 2739

              #7
              Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

              Mike is correct, Judges look for wrench marks and any other evidence the part has been off the car. Even if the original part is reinstalled, it flunks the test.

              Comment

              • Duke W.
                Beyond Control Poster
                • January 1, 1993
                • 15610

                #8
                Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                Originally posted by Jim Fitzgerald (60560)

                But i developed a vibration around 55 MPH. In checking the front wheels i have play in the right one. wobbles when i hold it at 12:00 and 6:00. Wobbles at 3 and 9.
                It's probably a wheel bearing issue, which is easy to deal with. Deal with it ASAP before you tear everything else apart, which is probably not necessary.

                As previously recommended, join your local chapter, take the car to a local chapter meet, have it judged as-is, and ask the guys if it's a viable Bow Tie candidate. There's no way in hell anyone on the TDB can tell you. Knowledgeable guys need to inspect the car.

                Duke

                Comment

                • Jim T.
                  Expired
                  • March 1, 1993
                  • 5351

                  #9
                  Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                  Jim you mentioned replacing ball joints. The upper ball joints usually last a lot longer than the lower.

                  Comment

                  • Harmon C.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • August 31, 1994
                    • 3228

                    #10
                    Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                    Originally posted by Michael Ward (29001)
                    Technically speaking a Bowtie award is for cars that pass in all four categories- exterior, interior, mechanical and chassis. Sounds like it's already too late for interior and exterior. The remaining two may/may not pass, if so they would be awarded a 'star' each. Re-installing hardware that was removed and put aside is one thing, sourcing replacement components because the originals were lost is another.

                    Take the car to a chapter meet as suggested above is the best way forward.

                    I agree with Mike and if you wish NCRS judging try flight judging at a chapter meet this will answer most of your questions.
                    Lyle

                    Comment

                    • Tom R.
                      Extremely Frequent Poster
                      • June 30, 1993
                      • 4081

                      #11
                      Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                      Jim

                      I believe you have already identified what's smart with your 78:

                      1. Repair what wobbles for safety's sake!
                      2. Restore mechanical items so they are fully operational
                      3. Get involved with NCRS, ask questions and get affiliated with a local chapter.

                      At that point, I believe you are ready to deal with issues of cosmetics that fit your objective for the 78 whether its Bowtie, Top-flight or a mechanically correct Corvette.
                      Tom Russo

                      78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie
                      78 Pace Car L82 M21
                      00 MY/TR/Conv

                      Comment

                      • Kenneth B.
                        Extremely Frequent Poster
                        • August 31, 1984
                        • 2084

                        #12
                        Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                        Originally posted by Tracy Crisler (40411)
                        Mike is correct, Judges look for wrench marks and any other evidence the part has been off the car. Even if the original part is reinstalled, it flunks the test.
                        How did the workers at the factory attach the bolts ETC without wrenches so there would be NO wrench marks?
                        65 350 TI CONV 67 J56 435 CONV,67,390/AIR CONV,70 454/air CONV,
                        What A MAN WON'T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE

                        Comment

                        • John H.
                          Beyond Control Poster
                          • December 1, 1997
                          • 16513

                          #13
                          Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                          Originally posted by Kenneth Barry (7808)
                          How did the workers at the factory attach the bolts ETC without wrenches so there would be NO wrench marks?
                          Ken -

                          No marks left on new, clean bolts or nuts; fresh wrench marks show easily on dirty/painted/cruddy bolts/nuts.

                          Comment

                          • Tracy C.
                            Expired
                            • July 31, 2003
                            • 2739

                            #14
                            Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                            Originally posted by Kenneth Barry (7808)
                            How did the workers at the factory attach the bolts ETC without wrenches so there would be NO wrench marks?
                            Removing a rusty bolt would leave marks on the opposite side of the points on the Hex head of a bolt. You know.. "lefty loosey" "righty tighty" ...

                            Comment

                            • Jim F.
                              Expired
                              • October 12, 2014
                              • 4

                              #15
                              Re: Bow tie or Restoration advice wanted

                              Thanks Tom,
                              I have plenty of things to do to make things operational. I will be moving it to a heated warehouse soon and look closely at those wheels. could be tightening a bolt for all i know at this time. Cleaning door locks is next. Then something else to keep me occupied ovr the winter. Bow Tie status is very specific, and should be. i will have no regrets if my car does not qualify. It will be fun to have someone else give it a view and opinion.
                              Jim

                              Comment

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