I had thrown out questions over the past few months and now have a 72' coupe in my garage. I had been searching within my state of Florida but either couldn't afford the car or didn't want a project car. In my fustration I open'd the feild up nationally. I narrowed it down to 12 cars and then pin-pointed one in Sheboygan WI. He emailed me some good pics and the rest is history. Heres' what I got:

1972 coupe frame off restoration. 2000 miles on rebuilt # matching 350 / 300 and automatic tranny, A/C not working but all there, new color correct targa blue exterior paint an 8 from 1-10 in quality, blue vinyl interior  all in excellent shape with new carpet all color correct, new brakes / lines, new gas tank/ lines, new bushings and  shocks ( I think KB), new exhaust (no chrome tips), new BF Goodrich tires, new radiator and water pump, new battery, the frame had been sand blasted and painted pics showed no heavy rust. I can't remember all the rest. It's far more car than I had hoped to buy with my budget of $15k.

Not working: radio from the 1800's (not factory), A/C, wiper washer missing tank. The horn works but low volume. The gear shifter doesn't have the red marker letting you know where your at, I assume there was one originally. The T-tops need new weather strip'g I don't know why he did the doors but not those. Last and not least the clock. So far that's all I've detected but I'm sure there will be more.

After reading the posts on transports I decided to drive her back with a friend. It was a GREAT time something I have wanted to do. A road trip with new wheels, good company and good food. We had several mishaps but smooth sailing all the way. In Chicago we ran into grid lock for 2 hours. The temp fell just below the redline. Once on the road the temp ran a consistant 235 degrees. The next day we bought a 160 deg themostat when we put it in we found he had not installed one at all. Once in it ran 190 +/-. In Tampa IT'S HOT here. Oh... did I mention the cab was HOT AS HELL! First task is to get the A/C running and fast. We stopped in Blowinggreen only to be 15min late to the plant closing. They closed the gates and wouldn't let me in to take a quick photo in front of the plant sign. I did get some infront of the Natinal Corvette Museum unfortunitly it was closed to. On the last re-fill I picked up some bad gas. Today I bought a gas teatment and topped off with 9gals of high-test gas. It's still missing so I'm going to burn up this tank then try a new fuel filter then plugs if that doesn't work.

I aggreed to pay my girls (9 & 10yo) $25 each to have the garage cleaned. Yea.... right. Today I had to tackle that task and managed to get in a quick wash in. The old owner had the engine compartment spotless, I want to keep it that way but I am pooped.  I am one happy camper with the outcome overall the trip went off with little problems. I need to get some cool pics and post them.

Take care and happy 4th of July to you all.

CONGRATS on the "new" ride...!!!  Stole it out of my backyard!?!?!     

I found "The Toy" on the internet in western Pennsylvania.  A buddy went with to help drive it back to Minnesota.  Nothing like going 85 mph through downtown Chicago on a Saturday morning!         

Glad to hear you had a safe trek back home.  ENJOY...!!!         

Getting your first vette is an experience.  For me, it was visceral.  A gut reaction to an incredible need, sort of like impulse buying at the grocery store.  Sounds like you took your time, did your research, and found one you could live with.  Now that I've put almost as much as I paid for her into my Pride and Joy (and she's still a long way from being perfect) I'm just trying to find time to drive her!

Between moving into a new house, and getting ready for my daughter's wedding, working everyday, gotta get some sleep in there somewhere, etc. I have been able to take the Vette out once this summer.  A quick ride around the block, just to make sure she can still do it.  Then back in the garage.  Hell, she's even still parked at the other house, and not even in her new digs yet!

So, like others here have said, fix em as they come, but by all means drive it like you'll die tomorrow, because we never know when those stretches of inactivity are going to occur.

Congratulations on your newest family addition.  Looking forward to seeing pics soon!