72 Back to Original "Project"

[cobra_4]

Its time to do a little work on my 72. I've had the car for about three years now, I got it from my dad who had it for three or four years before that so its been around here for a little while. Since I got it I haven't done a ton of things to it. I replaced all four calipers, did some drilled and slotted rotors, added a "Jake C5 Decal" and the Vector wheels. I kept planning on doing some mods, side pipes, torque thrust wheels, pop up lemans style gas cap, baldwin motion stripe, and a few other mods. But then I just never really got around to it.

Well last fall I got curious about what it would take to put the car back original. I knew it wasn't far off, when my dad first got it it actually had the original paint on it but it wasn't good so he had it painted(really wish he would have left it, it could have been showed as a survivor for sure). I was pleasantly surprised to find most everything I checked was right, intake and exhaust manifolds, alternator, pretty much everything. I already knew it was the original motor. So anyway not to bable on long story short I've decided to put the car back as close as possible to everything being NCRS correct. I mean I'm not going to completely tear the car apart, or for that matter probably ever have it judged, but I want it to at least look very correct.

The biggest thing I'm missing is the ignition shielding, I'm gonna freshen up some of the paint and things under the hood. I don't think the car has been waxed or anything since it was painted. I need to polish out all the chrome and just some good housekeeping items. Paint or replace the emblems, first one thing and another. Oh and yes, I'm putting the ralleys back on it!!

Here are a few pictures.












I'm a little torn on the door panels. It needs a set, but they are original and good other than the bad spots you see.



These books will be my guide!


Lots of pics to come!

[Marks76ray]

I have to agree with you it is just too nice and original to do any other thing to but clean it up and enjoy it. Leave the modified cars to the very bad ones like I started with. Consider yourself lucky to own a very nice vette that bubba kept his hands off of. Mark

[raidmagic]

Screw that!! Rip that bitch apart and make a real car out of it!!

Ivan gutted a really nice big block car for his track car.

[cobra_4]

The above responses are what I go through everyday in my head.
Angel on one shoulder, devil on the other

[Texdentist]

Your pics are a blast from the past for me. that interior and engine compartment are virtually identical to the '74 I bought in '76 and put 100k miles on. If that were my car, I would leave the mechanical alone as much as possible, and concentrate on rehabing - not replacing - the interior. I couldn't live with those door panels. I know there are people that can rehab those things very well. It's pricey, but essential to a nice interior. The seats look pretty good, but if there are any holes worn in them, I would find an upholsterer who could do a factory-looking job. If you're not having to spend a lot on the mechanical end, save up for one section at a time and do the interior right. Just my humble opinion.

[7TRoadster]

I watch for C3 parts constantly on eBay. Some are overpriced to be sure but occasionally you run across some gems. I do see original door panels for sale there occasionally that appear in pretty darn good shape.

As long as your not in a hurry, you might give it a try. Set up a search for Corvette door panels, you then have the option to have them email you whenever a new post hits.

Hope this helps.

[Sly Vette]

I am by no means a NCRS type of guy but I do enjoy looking into the past and seeing them as they were as they left the showroom floor.
I think you are going in the right direction for what you are starting with.
Good Luck!