Topic: Beginning a Restoration Project
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Hello! I just joined this wonderful site after finding out I have an opportunity to restore my 1971 Coupe. Here's my story:
I am retired Air Force (22 years) who bought my '71 just before going overseas in 1990. The car was brought to England with me where I thoroughly enjoyed driving it there. When I was transferred to Germany in 1992, I sent the car back to Michigan to my brother for storage, but things went, well, strange and he ended up starting to attempt a full body-off down-to-the-chassis restoration, but only got the car disassembled completely and stopped. There it sits to this day. The front end clip was from a 1974 car and was damaged during some movement, so it is no longer with the car. Additionally, the 454 engine was found to have a cracked block and he disposed of it. So, in essence I have a chassis, most of the body (without the front end) and all the interior.
18 months ago, my two sons (aged 10 and 13) were diagnosed with terminal brain diseases. My younger son's condition was progressed to the point where he required an immediate bone-marrow transplant to save his life. As a result of the procedure, however, he was left blind and wheelchair bound, but his personality and love of life remains untarnished. We are lucky to have him.
My older son was all set to undergo a transplant as well, but the doctor's said there was a 1 in 1000 chance that by his age the disease will have "burned out" and advised us to wait and keep monitoring the condition. Amazingly, he appears to be the "1 in 1000" and to have beaten the odds, at least for now.
I gave the background on my sons as it directly relates to the project at hand. My older son has had to stay in the background while a lot of time and effort was focused on getting his brother stabilized. He has never complained and has been nothing but supportive. He has a love of cars and now that my younger son is stable for the time being, I want to do a project with my older son.
That's when I remembered the '71 waiting to be restored and thought what a wonderful father-son project this would be with my older son. Some very caring friends are trying to arrange to bring the car out here to Virginia and garage it so we can begin.
What I'm looking for is advice on just where to start? I have bought restoration guides, assembly books, wiring diagrams, etc. I will be inventorying all the parts that are there when the car gets here to VA from MI.
Is there a general "game plan" that anyone could suggest for me to use? Like, "first you need to get the frame reassembled, then add the suspension, then the brake lines...etc". I'm new to restoration but am very excited and motivated to do this project with my son. I think it will be something that he will remember for the rest of his life.
Any advice or pointers would be most helpful!!!
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Lifetime MemberLodi, WI - USA
Joined: 9/25/2007
Posts: 340
Vette(s): 1972 Targa Blue, T-Top, Saddle leather, 350 auto,numbers match, all original except '69 factory side exhaust.
Previously owned: 1969 427, 390hp, 4sp, Riverside Gold coupe, factory side exhaust
Wow, What a story!! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sons. What a meaningful project!
Welcome to C3VR!!
You will find this group very caring, supportive and helpful. There is a tremendous amount knowledge and information and they are all willing to share, with a little (a lot) of humor thrown in.
I will be interested in following your project as I have just begun repainting my 72.
Welcome to the Shark Tank!!
You will find many Active Duty, Veterans, and Retired Military (Myself included) in this group.
Thank you for serving our Country!
Dean
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Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
Thank you for the story Michael. you folks are very special, God bless you. Welcome to the club. There is no better group for sharing C3 info. You folks have a beautiful attitude and that makes all the difference in life (and car resurrections). Working on vettes is the spice of life for me, and I'm sure they'll make you feel that way too. Sorry, I've never done a ground up resto so I'll have to leave that for those of experience. Please keep us informed as you go. The best of luck to you all.
Jimmy and Melissa B.
Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again. 
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Welcome to the club..you ask about where to start..well I think you allready did..a list of what you have is a good start..there will always be things that you miss..I would suggest that you attempt to figure out exactly what each part is..look for pics online and maybe get a copy of the GM manuals..tag and bag every part to keep them together..start from anything hooked to the frame replace first and work you way out..if you have the body off do the brake lines now..and suspension..sounds like a great time..I know my kids love it when I take the car apart..mine are 4 and 6..I couldn't imagine what you are and have gone thru..I am only a state north of you..if you need help I can take a road trip down and have fun! God bless u and thanks for the service..it means a lot.
Rich
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
I have never done a full restoration but have been busy restoring a 72 which I believe is very similar to your 71. If there is anything I can do to help you with your project please ask. I am only miles from Rich who in the post above offered a trip to you if needed. I would be more than happy to join in the trip and give a hand. Let me also say thanks for serving our country. Its great men and ladys like you that allow us to have freedom so we can do the things we do!! Thanks again, and our hearts and prayers are with you.
Rodney
Rodney
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
What a story to open with. I am literally wiping away the tears. I think your first step is obvious:
hug those boys one more time for your new family at C3VR!!
Like the others, I think you need to sit down and scope out a game plan. What parts you have and need restoration, what parts you have that will need to be replaced, what you do not have, etc. Then approach in stages: Chassis, suspension, engine, transmission and differential, body, interior, etc.
If I lived nearby, I'd come and help!!!
God bless you and your sons and good luck as you create an adventure for all three of you to cherish forever.
My prayers are with you and your boys.
Paul
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Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
101st Airborne(AirAssault!)
God Bless America
Support Our Troops 
Thank you all very much for the great postings, they really made my weekend! I grew up in a car-crazy family and spent lots of time with my father working on his cars (Mopar), so I have great memories of that. I would like very much to pass these kind of memories on to my sons, and I think this upcoming project is the perfect thing for that.
I think the first thing to do is just what you all advised: wait for the car to get down here and do a very thorough inventory of just what is there, what condition it's in, and what's not there. That'll give me a base to start from.
I've been collecting as much literature as I can (restoration guides, assembly manual, and lots of parts catalogues), so I should be in good shape for figuring things out...I also know that if I have a question, this is the perfect place to turn!!
Also want to thank the guys in PA for their kind offer of help, as this goes along I just might take you up on that!!
Anyone know where the best place to get a "turnkey" 454/425 engine that would be ready to install in the car can be found? My brother would like me to get a bigger motor, but I'd really just like to get this back in the condition it came out of the factory in, and the 454 is more than enough muscle for me! Any leads would be great!!
Again, thanx for the thoughts and the advice, they are invaluable!!
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Take a lot of photos and write a journal during the project. Documentation along with pictures can be priceless later on. You may want to write a journal and have your kids add their thoughts along the way.
Once you know what parts you need start accumulating them as soon as possible. Be prepared for let downs, delays, more delays, and high fives when it comes together.
Good Luck and I look forward to seeing your project progress here on the forum.
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Big thing is take pictures. Especially because you are making memories. Hard to find parts email this guy he is a lifetime member and restores C3 when he cannot he parts them out. He even had to part out a 82 CE which was great for me as I got the glass T-tops which are almost impossible to get. vettsteve@aol.com
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Vilonia, AR - USA
Joined: 10/28/2010
Posts: 14
Vette(s): 1972 Ontario Orange, 350, 4 speed, custom saddle interior, convertible w/hard top. Matching number car.
I'm resurrecting a '72 Convertible and will be glad to offer any knowledge I've accumulated along the way. Just holler!
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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