Unrestored door jambs...why?

[Eryck S.]

Greetings to all. My first post! Just joined NCRS a couple of days ago and my first Corvette just arrived here in HK (via Singapore Airlines Cargo) on Monday this week from LAX.

I posted on Corvetteforum.com before and have no idea how duplicative the users are between the two forums.

Anyway, I was told that my car is very original and it is documented to some extent - original bill of sale, Bloomington Gold Survivor certificate (1994), warranty and insurance documents (1963) etc. The seller just had it restored to NCRS standards (finished a couple of months ago). It was a frame-off restoration but the interior and paint were not done, both are fine.

When I got the car, I was surprised at how bad the condition of the door jambs are. Just looks out of place since everything else looks fine. The car has had one respray back in the early 90's in single stage enamel but the door jambs were never restored or that's how they appear to me.

Any reason as to why the jambs weren't restored? Apart from maybe the extra cost involved?

Here are some pics of the jambs.















And what are the burnt marks in the top of these two following photos??

[Tom H.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Welcome to our board. I saw your post on the forum.

I think you'll find us NCRS guys like the jambs like that !! I love the yellow glue and the old service stickers.

Probably a cost and labor reason for not doing them unless the owner was just trying to preserve as much originality as best as he could.

[Roy B.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Like many new owners ,your just use' t to seeing trailer queens and think all Corvettes came that way. If most people saw a Corvette that was boxed for 30 years never ran with zero miles they would pass on it thinking it was junk . Many restored Corvettes are destroyed from what they really looked like that came from the factory . And I mean no disrespect but I'm sure you'll improve the look down the road and destroy the original look. I too did the same on my 55 but tried to keep it original looking. Too TRY is the key word when restoring a Corvette or CAR.
By the way glad to have you aboard

[Steven B.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Welcome to NCRS! That is a nice looking Corvette!

Back in '65 when I repainted my '57 the jambs were not done, due to additional cost (The whole nitrocellulose lacquer job cost me a whopping $115.00 at the Chevy dealer with me stripping the paint and chrome!) and they did not look bad then. I repainted my '77 and kept the door jambs original but because I wanted to. I am glad I have original jambs on both! I just make sure I clean the jambs of dirt and dust and I leave the sloppy weatherstrip glue in place. I just feel good about looking at them and knowing they have not changed since they left St. Louis in '56 and '76.

'Sorry, I don't know what the burned marks are. Anyone know???

Steve

[Rich P.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

"What are those burn marks"

They are not burn marks they are wear marks from the dog leg weatherstrip on the door.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Rich

[Roy B.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

"What are those burn marks"

They are not burn marks they are wear marks from the dog leg weatherstrip on the door.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Rich

[Loren S.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Those door jambs look great. Personally, I wouldn't touch them if it was my car. People wanting to replicate the factory look pay good money to restorers to make jambs like that.

[Richard M.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Welcome to the TDB!!!

Wow! Looks great to me too!

Our 70k mile silver blue 63 coupe has lots of sloppy original glue around the original weatherstrips too just like yours. On yours it shows up more because it's white, but personally, I Like It! Old service tags are precious too.

Rich

p.s. We love pictures!!!!!! Please post more photos of the entire car!!!!!!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

"What are those burn marks"

They are not burn marks they are wear marks from the dog leg weatherstrip on the door.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Rich

I agree.
You could probably remove some of the brown color if you wanted to and were careful about it.

Very nice original door jambs.

Patrick

[Jim C.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Welcome to the "board." I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "Leave it original." The jambs look good. Enjoy driving your Corvette.

Jim C.

[Paul D.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Those burn marks look like areas that the door weatherstrip "out gassed" against the white paint. When I worked at a Chevy dealership in the '80s, we had several vehicles with that problem. I remember a 88 35th anniversary model (snowball car) that was so bad it showed stains around the headlamp buckets, hood edges, and door openings. The service rep suggested the severity was due to the use of a cover, but I think Chevrolet did at some point issue a service bulletin addressing the problem. It wasn't restricted to just Corvettes. Any light colored vehicle could show signs, but white was the worst.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Welcome Ercyk to the corvette forum. I've been in many cities in China inculding Singapore but have not been to Hong Cong. It is always wonderful to welcome a new member to the ncrs group!
Valeria

[Stewart A.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Did you say you had it flown over to Honkas !!!!! Wow Did you get any photos of it coming out of the plane.
How did they get it through the baggage claim. I would love to see it on the baggage rotisserie !!!
I wish I had my toys flown in that's best !
What about some photos of the car looks nice Eryck. Stewy

[Eryck S.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

Hi everyone. I'm back. The car arrived at the airport with no brake fluid so I've been busy dealing with that.

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice. My goal is just to learn so all your comments are much appreciated.

Valeria - you should drop by in HK next time. Very different to other cities in China and very different to Singapore too! Actually anyone on the board is welcome! I'll buy you a drink or two or more!

Stewart - It's a LONG story why it was flown here. For another thread maybe. And no, I don't get to fly my toys here all the time. Anyway, here are some pics. Since you asked for it, you guys are the first to see it.

Richard - will post pics of the car once I get the chance.

Here are the pics of the unloading. And yes, I was forced to watch it. An experience that I never want to repeat!!!

You can just see a plane in the background.



Here goes...


























It was a long night....

Sorry for the long winded photo essay. Hope people don't mind too many pics....

Will be in touch!

[Eryck S.]

Re: Unrestored door jambs...why?

And by the way, I am taking all your advice and will leave the jambs alone...