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My new project! 71 Stingray
Went with a friend today to pick up his uncle's 71 Stingray.
This car has been sitting for the past 6-8 years and the condition is on par with what you would expect. My friend,- and owner of the local speed shop, owned the car previously for a few years before selling it to his uncle around 2001. The car has been driven only a few hundred miles since. It is a matching # car with all original drive-train. I am not sure how far I plan to take it but I imagine by the next year or two it'll be in a similar condition as the Chevelle. This will be "Lindsay's car" but lets face it, that was just my justification to buy it :p The plan right now is to get the car running and driving (we did pour fuel in the carb and with a jump box it started right up and idled like a kitten! The car as found, under a car cover sitting under a car port. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0144.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0147.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0148.jpg Loaded up on the truck after inflating the tires http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0152.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0151.jpg |
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I want that breather ,thanks to Bill I have the valve covers already .Thats a nice score ,I was expecting a major project not a very nice car such as this .Keep us posted.
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Glad you posted here,as I won't post on that mean forum anymore.Very nice car really looks all there.Look in my photobucket and you will see my Lindsay's Corvette.:p
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Thanks John!
Yeah, I wasn't looking for a basket case! The allure of this car is that is has not really been touched. Everything is there and seems to work. The electrical isn't all hacked up and all the vacuum stuff seems to work (and these cars have a ton!). I assume I'll probably pull the motor this next winter to refresh everything and clean it up a bit but I will probably leave this thing mostly original. I do love the way these steel bumper vettes look! |
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Nice score, I was expecting more of a project. Looks great.
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Part of what attracted me to this car was how complete it is. My Chevelle was probably pretty nice in the eyes of most when I got it and it has been through everything since I have owned it. |
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Very nice Vette Eric. A great addition to the family.
Been down that road before...owned two at one time a few years ago including a survivor '68 L79 w/only 41K original miles. Got to the point I was afraid to drive it so sold it to a collector in Columbus, OH. They don't ride as good as a Chevelle though ;) |
A friend of mine had a 68 or 69 Stingray way back when we were teenagers and his rode somewhat rough but it was pretty fast for stock. His was totaled by a head on collision by a drunk driver in a full sized truck and he was almost killed ,we lived in the hallway at Kennestone Hospital for weeks waiting for him to come to .Never got to ride in another old vette after that .
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I spent the weekend working on (and fighting with) the car to get it driving. I fought a leaky fuel sender but thanks to Bill was able to put in a new seal and get everything bolted back up.
Today I spent the day replacing weather stripping, doing some general clean up and finally polished the paint before Lindsay and I went out for her maiden voyage. Car still needs some mechanical bits (calipers are all shot) but I was able to drive it and think I am really going to like this car! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...76CE3E94C3.jpg |
WOW it looks so much better ,love the wheels .
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Man Eric...I swear that Vette had a 50 gal gas tank when it was leaking. ;)
You noticed Greg and I moved closer to the door... Glad I was able to provide the cure. Thanks again for the super deal on the wheels/tires. They look great on my wagon...very happy. This car is also getting the brake booster I bought from you last fall. And the '72 as you know gets your old bench seat. You 'da man!!! Bowtie smiley Enjoy the Vette!!! |
Thanks guys! I like the wheels too and really debated changing them but they have spacers to clear the calipers which just doesn't leave much stud for the lugs to grab hold of. That and 15" tires are becoming more and more difficult to find.
After much debate about leaving it alone, putting on Corvette Rally's or going to a larger wheel I decided to order a set of 17x8 Vintage Wheel Works V40 wheels for the car which will look like this on the car (+ center caps.) So it keeps that classic look but gives the car a bit more modern wheel & tire. http://www.hotrodhanks.com/imagesProducts2/16894.jpg http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...0445-77993.jpg Plus, now I can show off all the new Wilwood 4 piston calipers that should show up later this week :) https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...iMLiO2mXNwF0Tv |
So what are your plans for the old wheels ?
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Ill sell them if anyone is interested. Will want to make sure the guy I bought the car from doesn't have any sentimental value attached to them first but I doubt he will. |
What will your price be ,may be interested if Joan dont kill me first ?
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Eric, car looks really nice. So happy it is coming together for you.
flash, what would you put those on ? Or just as a spare set ? :) |
Depends on the backspacing but would look good on my El Camino.
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I'll let you know when the new wheels arrive and the old ones are off and available. |
Well, the wheels are sold to the guy I purchased the vehicle from.
In the past few weeks I ripped the interior out of the car to do some clean up and overall refresher. Put new Wilwood brakes & 17" wheels on, put in a new aluminum radiator and addressed a few other small mechanical things. Still have a couple vacuum hoses to replace but everything is working, including all the dummy lights - not sure why I fixed the seat belt button.... Might need to break that again :) I just jumped right in to this mess. Thankfully most everything works so it wasn't too much of a headache. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0201.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0212.jpg New brakes going on. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...6C40D2A24A.jpg Old vs. new - I liked the TT look but wanted a more modern wheel/tire http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...6C423A3670.jpg All back together and on the road! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0234.jpg |
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0236.jpg
Regardless of what anyone else may think, I really like the way it turned out! The wheels fit the car well and the Wilwood calipers blend nicely with the paint and center spokes of the rim. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0244.jpg And finally, I had to get Lindsay a tag just so she would believe me that I bought the car for her instead of another toy for me :) http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0247.jpg |
WOW ,looks great with the new wheels .
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Looks great, and I agree nice looking wheels.
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Been a while since I updated this thread and lots of things have been done to the old Vette in the past 9 months.... So here y'all go, or for you northern folk, youse or yiz go.
Sometime around August last year I drove the car over to a friend's house and he tore the entire thing apart from the firewall forward. Quite literally, there was not a single nut, bolt or screw left in the car forward of the firewall. One last night-time cruise in the car before it was all to be torn out! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...psf5c230ba.jpg A final picture of my perfectly good running, numbers matching Vette that was about to be torn down http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...psc2906f40.jpg My buddy's garage where the work is/was going to be done. I'd say it was in good hands! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps318c0968.jpg Let the destruction begin! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps9eb8824b.jpg Original engine and transmission. I've never really been one to drool over numbers cars and considering this was the "base" level car it really didn't bring any value to me. I am going to keep an eye on the motor and trans as I know the car it is going into in the event 10 or 15 years from now I kick myself for pulling a numbers car apart. If this was something rare I would have stuck the motor in the basement along with the useless 350 that came out of my Chevelle. Anyway, moving on... http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps6dd1c379.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0744.jpg |
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Repairs/beautification begins!!
Front lower valence (below front emblem) http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps51c13bc9.jpg Firewall, obviously http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0880.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0837.jpg Getting somewhere http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0828.jpg Corner of firewall/fender where blower motor normally goes. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps18cf0dd4.jpg |
New seats for the Vette. Yes those are out of a Fiero! But I have a plan :)
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0864.jpg I can't even tell you how many hours were spent on the firewall.....If you have never owned a Vette let me tell you, they were rough even brand new! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0879.jpg Blower motor area all cleaned up - again lots of tedious hours spent sanding, smoothing, bonding etc. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0887.jpg Front valence under front emblem again, all slicked and cleaned up http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...psf22ccbe9.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...psae336560.jpg |
Top coat going back on! I was super impressed with how good this turned out!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps4f94be01.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps2346deb7.jpg Those Fiero seats again..... What was I thinking http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0932.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0933.jpg That's what I was thinking!! Real leather (none of that pleather, or vinyl stuff) covered with C3 logos embroidered in the backs. These are so much more comfortable than what came out of the car and will fit nearly perfectly in place of the originals. The side-bolstering both in the top and bottom sections is far superior to the flat originals! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0935.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_0944.jpg |
Uh oh.... bad news! Unless you have owned a C3 in which case you pretty much expect to see something like this. Kind of like how a Chevelle that has been outside for much of its life will have rear window and/or quarter panel issues.
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps44e8cea1.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps614e28da.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...psb964ae49.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps86215be8.jpg |
Progress continues!
Old versus restored headlight assembly! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps65bbace1.jpg Pieces beginning to go back on! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps92185669.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...pse82d146e.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...psc88ba57b.jpg Firewall gutted and Vintage Air going in. Dynomat behind everything because these cars get HOT inside if not properly insulated! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps717763c7.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...C0020BBA92.jpg |
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...C2D366A289.jpg
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...B1C3429237.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...8F98492275.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...3142B27C61.jpg Inner fender before suspension install http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...604758610F.jpg New gauges to go in! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...38D81958F6.jpg |
Suspension back on and more parts going back in place
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...DF5AC492CF.jpg New front mono leaf suspension similar to C5, C6 & even the C7 Corvettes http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...7B42502D5F.jpg Interior beginning to go back together! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...CD1A68BB4B.jpg Window repairs being done! All rust cut out and patch panels were put in place http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...2239FE01A9.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...BC3CE19D56.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...2A9337C885.jpg |
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...12C5263660.jpg
The frame/birdcage turned out nice! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...4B42A689FA.jpg Lower passenger corner where rust was the worst. Looks like new! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...D450279C6C.jpg Sitting in the car to get a photo of gauges installed - I wasn't sure at first but I think I am really going to like them!! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...AAB3260ACF.jpg Vintage air all installed = PITA! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...75FA38C633.jpg |
Organ transplant time!
The new heart! Brand new LS3 525hp crate motor! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...664119EAC1.jpg Dropped in like it was meant to be there, although plenty of research and part buying helped make this happen! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...8B3A3669A6.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_1293.jpg Few tricks to make it work but nothing I was not expecting. Waterpump is super close to upper arm. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_1295.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_1297.jpg American Racing Headers going on! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_1300.jpg |
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_1306.jpg
Dewitts LS swap radiator & electric fans installed! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...43AE2D9AD2.jpg Heater hose dilemma solved http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...1C7D53A843.jpg Front accessories installed! http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_3346.jpg And that brings me current through yesterday! Should have this thing running soon!! I am super excited!! The new windshield still needs installed along with all the trim but I am hoping to have the motor done so it can be taken on a few legs of the Power Tour this year! The plan was to finish the rear suspension just as nice as the front before the Tour but I am not sure there will be enough time. If so, hopefully once I get back from the Tour I can get it back over to my buddy's house and we can finish the rest. This car will likely get driven more than the Chevelle once it is done! That is until I want to go out and slam some gears in a Big Block..... |
Bill, if you read this - you were supposed to build an LS for your car, get bored and then sell it to me...... I got tired of waiting though ;)
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Looking good. I like the wagon Bill is building:banana:
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Damn Eric ,you have been busy ,what is happening with the Chevelle ,the Vette looks great .
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