Installing rebound straps on C1 57

[Joseph W.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Brooks - I do have pics of the set-up I did to put in the rivets also showing the spring compressor I made to compress the springs. I have tried to send the pics to the post but can't see how to do it. - Joe

OK - I am attempting to upload pics of the CC tool the way the way I set it up. Also one pic should show the spring compressor tool I made to compress the leaf spring - Joe

[Robert L.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

What's up with the color of the frame and rear end? Been awhile, but mine is black.

Have I missed something major?

Bob Lemke

MCMLVII

[Brooks G.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Joe, thanks for the pictures! Your chassis looks really nice! What color is that and what color is the body going to be? Again I wish you all the best on your restoration project. Brooks Glover (2141)

[Joseph W.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Joe, thanks for the pictures! Your chassis looks really nice! What color is that and what color is the body going to be? Again I wish you all the best on your restoration project. Brooks Glover (2141)

Hi Brooks -
I have owned this Corvette for over fifty years! It had an engine change already when I bought it in 59 so none of the numbers match. I have put the high compression heads, dual quads and Duntov cam in it. It originally was an FI. Since the numbers don't match I am building the car the way I want it. I knew you would say something when you saw the color of the chassis. It is bronze metalic and the color of the body will be Venetian Red with Shoreline Beige coves. I also hate the original upholstery (waffle pattern) in the 57 so it is going to be custom also Venetian Red. I am also putting a Muncie four speed in it. It came with a three speed. serial # 3569. Good talking to you Brooks.
Joe

[Brooks G.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Joe, I think it is really neat that you have owned your '57 for 50 years. This coming May I will have owned my '56 for 43 years. The color of your chassis looks similar to the original exterior of my car which is Aztec Copper. I suppose that some folks would raise an eyebrow to your choice of chassis colors but what is important is that you like it. When it comes to these cars what is important to me is preservation and enjoyment. My '56 for a number of years has been green with a white insert panel and interior. The engine was a fuel injected small block with a 3 speed transmission. I even sported fuel injection flags and emblems on the body. A few years ago I decided that I wanted to restore it to as close to original as time and funds would permit. This was my choice. I still appreciate cars that are not done the way I am doing mine. I have seen a number of non-restored cars where the workmanship in building them is impeccable. From the pictures, your chassis looks beautiful. Did you paint it yourself? If the rest of your '57 turns out as nice as your chassis, it will definitely turn heads and get admiration. I would love to see it. I think you and I probably share the same philosophy of preservation and enjoyment of these unique automobiles. Thanks again for sharing your pictures and again I wish you all the best on your "Project '57". Have a good one! Brooks Glover (2141)

[Joseph W.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Joe, I think it is really neat that you have owned your '57 for 50 years. This coming May I will have owned my '56 for 43 years. The color of your chassis looks similar to the original exterior of my car which is Aztec Copper. I suppose that some folks would raise an eyebrow to your choice of chassis colors but what is important is that you like it. When it comes to these cars what is important to me is preservation and enjoyment. My '56 for a number of years has been green with a white insert panel and interior. The engine was a fuel injected small block with a 3 speed transmission. I even sported fuel injection flags and emblems on the body. A few years ago I decided that I wanted to restore it to as close to original as time and funds would permit. This was my choice. I still appreciate cars that are not done the way I am doing mine. I have seen a number of non-restored cars where the workmanship in building them is impeccable. From the pictures, your chassis looks beautiful. Did you paint it yourself? If the rest of your '57 turns out as nice as your chassis, it will definitely turn heads and get admiration. I would love to see it. I think you and I probably share the same philosophy of preservation and enjoyment of these unique automobiles. Thanks again for sharing your pictures and again I wish you all the best on your "Project '57". Have a good one! Brooks Glover (2141)

Brooks - Yes I do all the painting myself. My dad taught me to paint when I was about sixteen. I have worked on and painted several Corvettes and other cars. I plan to paint this one with a base color and clear coat. I realize this is not acceptable for true restoration, but prettier. Dad owned an auto repair shop most of his life so I have some experience doing auto repair. I was a special machine design and fabrication engineer before I retired. What is your expertise? - Joe

[David B.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Brooks,

I really hate to bring this up after the beautiful job of rivet installation you did, but aren't the rivets on the forward strap installed backwards?

The AIM (Sheet 4.00, Sec. 4) shows the forward and rearward strap rivets entering the straps from the exterior sides of the straps, toward the axle housing (i.e. - the ends of the rivets that need to be peened/flattened are facing each other).

Dave

[Brooks G.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

David, thanks for your observation about the orientation of the rivets on my rebound straps. I am aware of what the AIM shows and also some other references show. I have owned my '56 for nearly 43 years. I bought it in May of 1967. I feel sure that the rebound straps that I cut off last year were original to the car. When I installed the new straps, I oriented the rivets just the way they were on the old ones. If my computer will allow, I am going to attach pictures I took of the straps that were removed. In this case I elected to install the new straps to replicate what I had removed instead of what the assembly manual and judging manual show. I don't want to start any controversy with this. Both 1956 and 1957 Corvette model years had a number of running changes as the production continued. I am sure the factory had no idea what controversy would come about in later years because of these changes. Of course back then they just wanted to build cars. Thanks again and have a good one! Brooks Glover (2141)

[David B.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

"I am sure the factory had no idea what controversy would come about in later years because of these changes. Of course back then they just wanted to build cars."

Brooks,

I very much agree. There are various other items I have run across about these cars with the same conundrum.

I attempted a rivet installation and my results were not nearly as good as yours. So, instead I used the bolting method, which I understand was the service replacement method. Maybe I will try again some day, but not too worried about it.

Thanks for your note.

Dave

[Brooks G.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Guys, please give me another try at the pictures. I hit the wrong key on my computer keyboard. Brooks Glover (2141)

[David B.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Thanks Brooks for taking the trouble to post the pictures. I see what you mean about the orientation.

Dave

[Brooks G.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

David, I was just looking through my 5th edition of the '56-'57 Judging manual and it shows the rivets holding the rebound straps together pointing toward the front of the vehicle or crimped side toward the front of the straps. This is the way my originals were done and how I riveted the new ones. My assembly manual shows a different configuration. It shows the rivets pointing at each other with crimps on the insides of the straps. The Judging Manual does state that there may be variances because of what has been seen on original cars. I wonder what the judges have to say about this? I am not trying to start a controversy but just curious how this item is judged. How many point can you lose and for what? Thanks in advance! Brooks Glover (2141)

[David B.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Brooks,
That is very odd. I see what you are saying in the 5th Edition of the CTIM & J Guide. It shows the front rivets pointing in a different direction than the AIM shows. Yet, the Figure is exactly the same in all other ways. The Figure in the AIM that I have is dated 9-15-55 and revised 4-2-57. Perhaps, there was a later GM Revision to it that the Guide used (or an earlier one). It seems that orientation doesn't matter according to the Guide text. So, I learned a bit from our discussion.
Thanks,
Dave

[Gary C.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Guys, just changed the AIM drawing in the 56-7 5the Edition JM to show the "normal" rivet orientation. Judges expect to see the rivets in that configuration. If you present photos showing how the rivets were oriented before your rebound straps were replaced there should be no deductions. Gary....

[David B.]

Re: Installing rebound straps on C1 57

Gary,

Thanks for jumping in! Brooks and I were trying to figure this out. It is really nice to have the Revision Team Leader monitoring discussions like this and keeping us on track - part of what makes the Board so great.

Let me respectfully offer a summary, if I understand correctly?

1. The "normal" installation is to be considered as the AIM shows (flared ends facing each other).
2. The text of the Judging Guide is being revised where it says " .. rivets are normally installed pointing toward the front of the car." to correlate with the above, to something like ".. rivets are normally installed facing each other".
3. The figure in the Judging Guide is revised accordingly.
4. Photos of original rivet deviations from the above orientation are suggested for judging purposes.
5. The Judging Guide text will still contain some revised wording similar to the existing language, perhaps something like "However, there may be variances since original cars have been noted with the flared side of the rivets pointing away from each other."

Thanks again Gary - Not meaning to tread into the great work you guys did with the 5th Edition and greatly appreciating your attentiveness to even minor subjects such as this.

Dave