Wow came out nice, tough call.....what are your plans and or future plans for the car. If it's an investment thing leave it all original. If it's for judging you can get NOS chrome but leave the paint.

Now if it's for joy and the paint bugs you go ahead and have it blocked and painted and go show it off, remember only vette nuts will know if it's not original.

My 1980 has 25k original miles original paint that has factory runs, sags, drips, thin spots, dri spots, and is starting to check in some areas. I do not plan to paint it as long as I have it.

Now my Red project car (money pit) I'm going a little nuts as it's something that is my ideas and I don't care what others want..... it's mine......

So I have not helped one bit but was nice to write a bit over a nice cup of coffee this morning!

Either way now that it's running.....you better bring it to a gathering.

Also take all your pictures and make a story board to display at shows.....that car has a kewl history and it's story needs to be told!

ebo

|UPDATED|11/2/2014 7:29:32 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

Tim,

|UPDATED|11/2/2014 9:20:18 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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That looks fantastic! And to have all that history back to the original owner is a huge bonus.

You say you rebuilt the calipers, but I imagine they are the original cast iron piston bores.  If you put it up for the winter, I would seriously think about sending off your calipers to be stainless steels sleeved.  Other than that, I'd leave the rest alone and just maintain it.  Only change things that allow the originals to be put back on.

Nice find. 

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From a historic viewpoint, I say leave that puppy alone! It's only "original" once.
However....if you plan on driving, and enjoying it, then by all means, take care of the paint/chrome that it may need as you see fit. I would suggest that you fully document EVERYTHING on the car before changing/repairing anything. This will add to the value of the car down the road, even if you do restore it.
That being said, it always comes down to this...it's YOUR car, and you can do anything ya want with it. If ya don't like the paint, or chrome, then fix it....it's only money.....

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Wow, nice car and fantastic find. I agree with most on the post that it is only original once, but definitely drive and enjoy. Documentation and talking to the original owner is a great feeling. Have you considered taking it back to show him ?? Please post more pics or do a photobucket link, here's one to my 73.

http://s42.photobucket.com/user/jlsigmund/library/

|UPDATED|11/14/2014 12:37:41 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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John Sigmund

Ya!!  We wanna see pictures of this vette!!.

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Thank you for all the nice comments and recommendations! It gives me a good sense of direction for the next steps.  At this point I'm going to replace some of the deteriorated rubber suspension parts - sway bar, rear spring and diff mount and leave everything else just as is.  I plan to drive to some gatherings next spring and summer and hopefully meet some of you. I plan to attend Corvettes at Carlisle as well.

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"Sleeping for the last 37 years..."      Time to wake up!

Wow, great paint patina and I love the CB radio !! I wouldn't change a thing !!

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John Sigmund

For me the best part is the day you got a hold of the 86 year old original owner. a day to remember,  you probably made him the happiest man in the world that day knowing that you will care for that car as he did and I'm sure it brought back many wonderful memories.  Bless your heart for making his day brighter and thankful he cared for the car as many of us do ours.

Enjoy the car everyday and maybe someday someone will put a smile on your face with a phone call.

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Not sure how I missed this thread, but sure glad it got pulled back to the top. What an amazing story! Again, not sure of your goals for the car, but if you're planning on it being an investment, I would suggest getting judged before you do anything else to the car (other than to take it for that drive you mentioned!). Great job on the restoration so far!

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!