How much to Restore??

**Don H.** · November 1, 2015, 01:37 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

Joseph,
The cheapest "evaluation" you can get is a NCRS Judging. If you have a local NCRS Chapter near you, I suggest you contact them (see contact page). Also you can post pictures here but nothing can beat seeing the car in person. Good luck, Don H.

**Timothy B.** · November 1, 2015, 04:59 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

You will get so many opinions but IMO, your thought process is very well founded. Proceed with caution and learn first before you take anything apart, you are in the right place. Most reproduction stuff is junk, enjoy your original car it's worth more left alone.

Post some pics of the areas you want to address.

**Frank D.** · November 1, 2015, 06:06 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

My SWC was in similar condition; I chose to replace a ripped dash pad as I just couldn't continue to look at it on every drive. That lead to an instrument cluster restoration and dash harness upgrade. Seems when you touch one area things snowball rapidly. And some items become so fragile over the years that they are best left alone. Case in point, the '63 headliner is one-year-only unique and there is only one decent repro and even it is not entirely correct. The edges of the original piece may have have turned to tissue paper over the years so if it doesn't look awful - LEAVE IT ALONE. You will destroy it trying to mess around with improving it.

As others have said take some time to learn what is correct for your car and if something bothers you enough; and you aren't going for a 'survivor' award then deal with it. There are some long threads on the Corvette Forum about survivor cars and 'patina'. I can live with some worn soft parts on a car and some mechanical things that aren't totally pristine but I'm not driving anything that isn't mechanically sound and presentable.

Some use 'patina' to justify cracked paint, nasty carpet and pitted chrome.....these cars deserve better.

**Richard M.** · November 1, 2015, 07:01 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

Joseph, My wife and I had the same dilema in 2007 when we acquired her lovely silver blue Powerglide 300HP coupe. The engine bay was modified with prior owner added features(67 front discs and modern A/C, but the overall appearance was a bit ugly in there. We kept it like that and decided not to touch it, but never opened the hood unless asked to.

She just wanted to drive it and after all safety issues were corrected and she did, a lot. It was a great running car.

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After a year or so of tinkering, I had to change the battery. As Frank said, one thing leads to another. To remove the battery, I had to move the expansion tank. I didn't want to damage the tank, so then I decided to replace the heater hoses, then decided get the correct shielding while I had the tank and battery out(there's a reason for that!), then etc, etc. She even found a correctly dated AFB at Kissimmee when we were walking around the swap meet in '08. She drove the car there for the Regional and I took my '59.

Before I knew it, it was apart for a month or so while cleaning it all up. My '56 project car was my workbench then.
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After I was done she then agreed to open the hood for anyone that asked......

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Rich

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**Dan D.** · November 1, 2015, 07:24 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

Here I go with my big mouth. You know how they equate opinions with a specific part of the anatomy...well, here's my "stinky" opinion...When someone sees your car for the first time...if your first inclination is to start making excuses...then, maybe you need to do something. If you're comfortable with standing back and letting someone enjoy the view...maybe you should let it alone. (reference what Frank said about the headliner) At any rate, I wouldn't rush into anything. My old Irish Mother-in-Law had a favorite saying..."Act in haste...repent at leasure." I absolutely agree wth Frank, though. I wouldn't want to drive anything that wasn't mechanically sound or presentable.

**King M.** · November 1, 2015, 07:57 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

Which ever path you decide to take, DO NOT throw any part you take off the car away. I learned that the hard way some years ago.

**Joseph S.** · November 1, 2015, 08:54 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

Richard
thanks for your comments and your car looks great! Mine is in similar to your 'before' pictures and as I have been through this before I know the issue is not what to take apart but when to stop taking things apart. But since you and your wife obviously feel better about the car now, it was certainly the right thing to do. thanks Joe

**Joseph S.** · November 1, 2015, 09:19 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

I appreciate the comments, especially not wanting to drive anything not mechanically sound or presentable - exactly my feelings.
I have been through this before with my NMN '63 convt. about 20 years ago (still own the car) and frankly made a lot of mistakes. The car is a great looking driver today however that's all it will ever be. Have had many issues with reproduction parts - from trim to weatherstripping and still not sure which suppliers I would consider the best ( suggestions appreciated) and cannot consistently keep hardware restored with Eastwood's 'blackening' solution from rusting in a few weeks.
Judging guides and assembly manuals have been essential and are irreplaceable tools. The only major component I have found NMN is a 5L15 alternator so I want to do it right. (has finned valve covers also)
Last owner had the 'original radiator and heater hoses and master cylinder renewed in May by a 'corvette restorer'. None of which are correct for the car but can be addressed. Thanks will post some pictures. Joe

**Michael J.** · November 1, 2015, 09:25 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

I agree the first thing I would do is take it to a chapter NCRS judging and see what is really original and what is service replacement/reproduction that is just old. Old doesn't mean original, and a car in "survivor" shape with 5 decades or wear, tear, age, and rust is really not patina worth preserving, IMO. But it depends what you want the car for, judging, show and glitz, or just a nice, presentable driver, that will determine where you need to stop restoring and replacing things and going for drivability vs. original.

**Domenic T.** · November 1, 2015, 11:12 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

Well,
I suffer with the (just this one thing), and then find myself doing the WHOLE project. Lesson I learned back in 1972 was with a 63 SS that had a ugly trunk that made the car look bad. Only the trunk was the sore spot on a average looking car. After painting the trunk, the trunk looked great, BUT now the painted trunk made the rest of the car look bad. I ended up painting the whole car to match the trunk.
That's how my frame off started on my 67 coupe. I was only going to freshen up a few things. Then, well you know!

Dom

Dom

**Jim D.** · November 1, 2015, 11:29 AM

Re: How much to Restore??

Hey Dom,
I suffer from the same affliction. I started cleaning the engine compartment on my 1960 and thought "I could do a better job if I pulled the motor". The next thing I knew, the body was off, frame disassembled etc. etc. etc. Since then, I accept that all my projects will be complete tear down/body off restorations. I've done several since my 60 and the only way to avoid "project creep disease" is to jump in with both feet and go all the way. That's the only way I'll be satisfied with the finished project.