How long was your car apart?

[Bruce B.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

My 57 Corvette Gasser project was started around 1969, I bought it in 2013 and finished it 2015..

[E B.]

[Mark S.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

I purchased my 56 in 1982; and got married in 1984. The 56 went into the restoration mode in 1984. Raising a family and a heavy work schedule took the priorities. I am presently working on the Corvette; and I think that I can see the end line.

[Mark E.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

I purchased my 56 in 1982; and got married in 1984. The 56 went into the restoration mode in 1984. Raising a family and a heavy work schedule took the priorities. I am presently working on the Corvette; and I think that I can see the end line.

Getting married and starting your restoration at the same time... I don't see any problems with that.

[Rod R.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

I am glad to see I am not the only one with a long project. My project is 34 years and counting. Took my '64 off the road in 1984 to start a body off restoration and just got it licensed for the road last year. The car is running and almost completed but still more things to do. As with others, life events, two full careers, moving, kids and their sports, etc.

[Floyd B.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

Pulled the LT4 into the garage shortly after purchasing in 2008. I got the interior restored quickly thanx to a very low miles '95 that got parted out after a front end crash. After that, I started working overseas a lot and little progress was made. I've been making good progress lately and last month I fired up the LT4 for the first time in 10 years - after pumping the sludge out of the fuel tank and replacing the fuel pump / sending unit assembly. I just purchased a lift so I can easily finish up the chassis work. Hope to have it ready for the FL fall chapter meet this year but there is still quite a bit left to do, including rebuild the water pump (it just took a leak on my garage floor this past week end) and replace the windshield with a date correct original I found about 5 years ago. Always seems like one step forward, two steps back.

[Mark E.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

Wow. The stories behind your responses are amazing. It's striking that despite long delays and life obstacles, you kept both the car and your dream of finishing alive. That shows a lot of passion for Corvette.

Below is a partial summary, in order of project length. So far, Tom Bryant earns the "longest dream" award! And Greg McCollough wins "longest fulfilled dream" for finishing his 44 year long project.

Tom Bryant 1959 47 years and counting but running
Greg McCollough 1960 44 years and finished
EJ Bauscher 1962 43 years? Unclear when finished
Richard Geier 1963 38 years and counting
Mark Swanson 1956 34 years and counting
Rod Runyon 1964 34 years and counting
Michael Funk ? 30 years; finished?
Ed Harrow C3 25 years and counting
Mark Edmondson 1970 22 years and counting but running
Irby Gauthier ? 18 years counting
Michael Leonard 1969 16 years and counting
Al Rains 1967 15 years and finished

P.S. Showing this this thread to my wife really helped. She now realizes I'm not the only car guy with an unfinished project sitting in the garage.

[Mark S.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

I guess that I didn't count to make the list?

[Mark E.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

I guess that I didn't count to make the list?

My bad. I added you to the list above: Mark Swanson 1956 34 years and counting

Keep at it!

[Mark S.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

Mark:

Thank you very much! It is nice to be included! Have a great Memorial weekend!

Sincerely,

Mark

[Richard G.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

We are all likely the stubborn and/or committed bunch.
I remember reading a research article where a fella tracked his 66 Corvette through 16 owners.
Only one missing was the original purchaser.
To sum it up:

Bought Corvette
Got married
Sold Corvette.

This was true for something like 14 of the 16 owners.
Well some of us are predictable! LOL.
Rick

[Roger W.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

My 59 has been apart for a little longer than your 60. As others have mentioned, work and family took priority and hidden damage showed up.

[Jim D.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

Like Gene posted above, 2 years for a complete body off restoration doing all the work myself. I take them all to this starting point.

[Steve O.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

I bought my 65 in 1970 and disassembled it for a body off restoration in 1984 (38+years apart)
Will be finished in spring of 2019.


Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: How long was your car apart?

Steve,
Good Things take time.
Good Luck.
Bruce B