So, I was thinking about selling my 79, but decided against it because despite all its problems, I love it and my dad was the original owner. So there is too much history to let it go.

With that in mind, I decided to take it to a Corvette specialty shop to get it checked out, mostly to fix the leaking T-Tops, but have everything else checked too. It is about to become my daily driver, since my Pathfinder's lease is up next week.

So, the "Fix the T-Top Leaks" visit to the shop has suddenly turned in to a $2700 visit.... here's what they found:

Turn Signal Switch arm is bent, needs replacement
Door Lock electrical connectors and wire need replacement
Rear Body Mounts are rotted
Lower Control Arm Bushings are gone
Parking Brake Cable broken
Rear Strut Rod Bushings need replacement
Rear Leaf Spring hanger bushing need replacement
3 Brake hoses are cracked and rotting
Two sets of T-Tops reseal, adjust and adjust windows.
Speedo Head bad

So to get all of that fixed, minus the speedo head and body mounts is about $2700. UGH!!

But I still love the car, right?

So that bodes the question: How many lease payments does that figure out to be? I've always tried to look at repair costs on a 'paid for' family fleet vehicle in the context of how many car payments would that work out be. When that number get to about what a years worth of car payments would be that's when I begin to question whether or not to keep the vehicle. But all that gets tossed out the window when you're talking about a Vette.
And besides, YOU DO LOVE that car...!!!

Oof...that's a big nut. I think this can take you in one of two directions...use that $2,700 as a down payment on another daily driver which means more car payments and slowly fix all that ails your Vette which could keep it off the road for a while, or use it to fix the Vette now and be able to enjoy it every day with no payments. Glad to know you are going to hang onto it.

|UPDATED|9/26/2003 11:45:40 AM|/UPDATED|

Hang on to it for sure ,Adam, It has the history you want which most of us don't. Fix some of it , make a priority list of what needs to be done first for saftey, do that first then in time do the rest. That is what we have to do. Now that Colleen has the Vette of her dreams she will never give it up either. She laughs and says I'll just get another to go with Ian!
You do love your car!
How's your job situation now,Adam?

|UPDATED|9/25/2003 5:13:54 PM|/UPDATED|

I know how you can save about $2,400-do it yourself! Except for the body mounts, it's fairly simple stuff. With a little guidance, I'm sure you could do it.

Adam,
I think I would just order the e-brake cable and get a set of flex stainless brake line from one of the Vette suppliers and go to any state inspection station and get them to replace the parts and inspect the car. If they feel the bushings need replacing, let them do it. Let the Vette specialist replace the wheather strips.
You should get away with a lot less money spent.

Hanging there my friend, your car is a keeper. There's too many bubbad C3 out there, it's nice to own a car that you the whole history.

Hang in there Adam,

Take it from a guy that only paid 3000.00 for his vette, it was well worth it.....some fifteen thousand dollars later.......

it's not just a car,
it's not just a hobby,
it's a Corvette

dan

Your making the right decision to keep the vette ... the history is priceless .. I wish I had my dad's old vette ... if the cash is a challange, don't make it your daily driver .. fix it over time & drive something else while your fixing it .


Good luck ..

Adam,
Hang on to it man. You can do some of your own work to lessen the dollar amount. And selling a car that was your Dad's is almost like selling part your soul. You'll wind up regretting it. Plus what I've seen of your car...it's a nice ride and definitely worth putting some money into it.
Sarge