1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
I recently purchased a 1967 corvette 427 435hp, I am trying to figure out the direction I want to go with in the restoration. It has fender flares and the headlights have been taken out and fiber glassed over. My question is weather or not I should put the headlights back and remove the flares, put the headlights back and leave the flares or leave both alone. The door handles have also been taken off and replaced with push buttons(as seen in pictures) I am aware that Dawson Taylor Chevrolet did modifications to customer cars and makes me wonder if the flares were possibly done by the dealership because they seem to have been professionally done. Any historical information about the dealership, car or any ideas regarding the direction of the restoration would be appreciated.
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Looks like a really nice find. If it were me, I would drop the tank and see if tank sticker if there if you have not doe so already. Confirm it is a real side pipe car with power windows, head rests, and other options - if so it is a high option big block. I would then drive it as is for a while because once you restore it will (for me anyway) to drive it much. The work on the doors is way cool ! and some the best I've ever seen. Might consider entery into a local chapter event and see what else is original. At the very least you will provide the judges with something they don't see at most events.
Best of luck however you decide to go. -
Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
IIRC Dawson Taylor was on Livernois in Detroit. They were known for hi-po Corvettes in the day. I used to drive up from northern Indiana and check out their inventory.Comment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Im sorry but that is one ugly looking 67. if that was mine i would get the putty knife out and start peeling off panels. chances are you will find accident damage some where in that messComment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Bruce--
That is really a neat car--very similar to some of the customs I saw in the late '60s/early '70s in the San Francisco Bay Area, and wished they were mine! As a matter of fact, I would love to find a car like yours; and I would drive it as often as I could! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder--I love it!!!
Rob VanderhoevenRob
SPEAK YOUR MIND, but ride a fast horse. -- AnonymousComment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Bruce,
Clean it up and drive it as is.
Good to see you on the Forum.
Bruce BComment
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Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Agree with using as is. Spend your money on A) having it judged/looked at to determine how much is original and B) trying to get history of car. If it is dealer cutomized as you may think, it would probably be worth more "as is" with documentation/provenance to support it; and cost much lessthan a restorationComment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Think the car is really cool as is as well. I own a '69 427 side exhaust car that had some dealer modifications done to it at original owner delivery (Motion hood, Torque Thrusts, Moon gas cap, paint stripe, etc) that are not NCRS friendly, but make it a unique car. Not sure all that stuff adds value, but I love the looks of it, its era correct, and the car has looked like that since the first miles rolled on the odometer. I say leave it.Comment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Bruce, neat car alright. Curious about what is underneath the headlight area, are the original flip-up headlight supports still in place? Did you get the old headlight pod parts with the car? Which way are you leaning, leave the body mods, repaint it red or ??? Let us know if you find the tank sticker. Good luck.
Mike T.Mike T. - Prescott AZ.Comment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
I'd not change it either. Examples of period modified cars are disappearing from the landscape as they go back to original. It is great to see how these cars looked when modified back in the day. That door handle is a work of art-.
Have fun- it's a head turner as is!
PatComment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Without the original engine and or paperwork, it would not be wise to restore it.
Is the engine the original one with a good stamp? Is there a tank sticker or other paperwork?Comment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
There were lots of great local body artists back in the day. Too much of a stretch to say this was DT Chevy unless you had the paper work to prove it and more, glassed over front lamps are the first cheap repair for a front end crunch.
As far as the fender flares, they are odd, my first 66BB had flares you would think came that way from the factory, smooth subtle lips that blend with the body curves.
These are stuck on ridges, all the glass work franlky looks very crude to have come from the Motor City back in the day.Comment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
Bruce,
check the Dealer Information section of this board. I have posted quite a lot of information about Dawson Taylor. My '65 came from there. I can also put you in touch with someone who worked at The Vette Shop, which was just down the street from Dawson and, if I remember correctly, they did a lot of work like this for the dealer.
GeorgeComment
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Re: 1967 corvette 427-435 Dawson Taylor chevrolet
If you can prove it is a real BB (tank sticker etc.)then definetely repair it!!Comment
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