Corvettes! I never understood the love people had for them.
I never liked or wanted to own a corvette. Then about 5 years ago, my friend ask my to do some work on his 77 vette, I had it for about 3 weeks, and when done I drove it for a weekend, I liked driving it, it had a feel I didnt expect. Cant really explain it but I am sure you know what I am talking about!
Well I decided to get one for myself. Since I live in Pa and we have emission testing here I decided to find one 74 or older so it didnt fall into the emissions testing. Chrome bumper cars were to expensive (although I should have waited another year and gotten one then) so I found a really nice clean 74 about 600 miles from home. My neighbor and I went and trailered it home. Had 25,000 miles on it and I am the 4th owner. Everything documented with receipts, I felt really good! Decided it would just be a weekend toy and I would keep it original.
I wanted to clean up the engine compartment so when the hood was lifted it would have a nice clean look. I read about different ways to tackle this challenge, but without removing the engine it just didnt seem efficient enough. So i removed the engine. Originally I was going to paint the numbers matching engine, but it seemed a waste to have it out and not give it a little more HP without changing the looks so it looked original. I thought, just add a cam and lifters but keep everything else stock, paint everything and polish the factory aluminum valve covers.
Well, heres a warning to anyone else that tries that, it doesnt work or else maybe I am just to weak to stick to my plans! I have read many posts on this site that says you cant stop spending money on a corvette once you start. I didnt believe it! Well it appears true!
Heres where a clean up of the engine compartment has left me: A new motor(not the numbers matching), including boring, pistons, cam, heads, intake, and balancing of crank, pistons and rods plus headers! New exhaust will be needed to match to headers. While cleaning up the engine compartment decided to replace all ball joints, brakes, rotors, sandblast controll arms as well as go totally to all polyurethane bushings. Used por15 to paint everything and now I think I am ready to start going back together. As you can see what started as a cleanup got to be much more involved not to mention a few dollars more! Be careful with your vette projects! LOL! oh yea, I did actually fall in love with the car!
Cant wait for completion but I know it wont be soon as time has become very limited with the holidays approaching. I will be posting a few questions to get some thoughts on the exhaust and carburetor in the appropriate sections.
Next project will be changing the 400 turbo trans to a 700R so my gearing ratio will be better which may save me from having to change the rear end gearing?
DOES IT EVER END!

Never...ever!
It's just a bad case of the WIH(while I'm here...) syndrome...
Most all of us have been there...some gave up easier than others, that's all! Glad you stuck to it, and I'm sure you're happy(or will be) with the results!

Man, can I sympathize with that! Everytime I start a project it leads to 2 more (at least). But it still is cool to take it on cruises and shows (and just drive it). It IS an addiction!

So Rod, If I go out into the garage to change the oil or air cleaner filter and come back into the house 4 months later with a checkbook in the red, I'll just tell the wife it's all your fault. 
Back in high school I never liked them either, cause the only person I knew that had one was a spoiled rich kid that got one for his birthday. It didn't take him long to wreck it.

It will never end.  I know first hand.  Someday Alice Someday.

All this post needs is some pictures.

Hey Rod,

Lets see...  My 81 arrived in near mint shape....  I have over 30k into the car and I only paid 11.5k for it.  It never stops..

I'm with the KeBo.  It just keeps getting better and better.  The Great Whites are the Best !!!