I've loved Corvettes (C3's specifically) for as long as I can remember. This fall I bought my first one. It's a project car that I plan on doing a frame-off on (Is there any better way to learn?).

Anyway, after jumping into the Corvette world head first, I'm beginning to think that I may have paid too much for my project. I would like your opinions on it. Info can be found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=1872275933

Questions:
What's up with the front-end? I'm assuming it's aftermarket.
Where might I find a proper replacement front-end? (BTW I am not aiming for original restore. I'm building to my liking.)
Any recommended frame treatments (for long life and durability)? POR-15, dipping, paint?

I would appreciate any opinions and recommendations.

Jere
'71 Coupe

P.S. I'm new to this forum, and appreciate the valuable information that I have already found here.

Jere:
Welcome to C3VR!

What you paid for it depends on where the next bidder for the car was in relation to you. If it was close, then obviously someone else saw some potential in it same as you.

Question back at you:
It is obvious that this car has had modifications to the front end, the rear end, and added fender wheel flares...so why do you want to change the front end to something else if you don't want to go back to original?

The car, if you don't mind my saying, looks like it's going to need some TLC, but if you've got the time (and the muulah) I think you'll have no problem making it into a looker. Personally, I wouldn't have dropped more than maybe $2,000 on it since it does need some TLC $'s, but that's me...not you. You're definitely going to have to realign the hood from what I can tell from that first picture. The motor doesn't look original, but you'll know better once you can get under the hood and look at the casting numbers. And unless I miss my guess, since you're doing a frame off restore, I'm thinking you're going to end up doing a lot of interior work on it.

Have you seen it in person yet? Fired up the engine to hear it and see if she smokes, knocks, whines, hisses, whatever? Did you look underneath where she sets to see if there's any spots indicative of leaks? Is the 9 leaf spring in good shape - no rust, good bushings, etc? My guess is she's going to give you a stiff ride with the 9 leaf but some people like to feel the road on their ole chubby's.

Anyway, my guess is your having that good ole "post-purchase partum distress thingy". Stay on line here, get as much advice as you can from the members, they're a great bunch of people - and extremely knowledgeable. Congrats on your recent buy, and keep us all posted as to your progress. Post pics along the way, we all love to see these things take shape.

you sure jumped in with both feet. of you arn't concerned with orgionality you can use the exhisting parts but if you want it to look like a 71 you need major rework as the body needs complete overhaul. the entire front end including the hood are incorrect as well as the tail lights and flares. i would check the numbers on the block to see if it's a # matching car. the numbers on the pad on the right front side of the block just under the head should match the number in the door jamb and inside the windshield at the drivers side. first you'll have to figure what direction you plan on going you can pick up lots of parts on ebay. a frame off with take a long time.
getting orgional parts will be $$$ and also time consuming. though it will be worth $$$ when done as long as its a matching # car. i can see you putting well over 10,000 in this car restoring it as orgional parts alone will cost $$$. you are probuly better off using the exhisting body and having a custom c3. it will be cheaper quicker easier. let me know what you deceide to do. i'm sure por-15 will be fine for the frame as long as it generaly sound.

|UPDATED|12/6/2002 2:22:46 PM|/UPDATED|

I agree....you have the basis for a custom C-3...trying to return it to stock form will probably cost more that the resulting car would be worth. I would suggest cleaning-up and using the body mods (personally I would change the tail lights back to round...but....)and creating a nice custom.

If you are happy with your purchase, then you did good. One thing to remember is that you can always get your money's worth, because they hold their value.
Custom jobs are probably harder to push on the market, but still retain that image.
Good luck!

Hi,

Welcome to the world of Corvette. I have owned 5 of these and the two I have kept the longest were in at least the shape of yours. From the look of things, you have some work ahead of you. The car you have has had extensive rework, probably around 1973 or 74. The mods you have on it were very popular at that time.

My advise is to not do a frame off. There is a lot of time and money involved with this before you can even get to refinishing things. I have looked at many of these well intentioned projects in boxes after many years of dust collecting being sold for pennies on the dollar.

Get the car on the road as fast as you can. This will keep interest very high and your motivation where it needs to be. Then work the body, then interior.

Have fun, not another job.

Alex

I would have to agree with Alex. Get it running and just fix up alittle at a time. Remeber you are investing in a hobby and not a money maker. I spend on average a few grand a year fixing up things as I see the need.
Drive it and have fun while you decide what you like and don't worry about what somebody else thinks.