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Topic: Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

Posted: 6/22/07 6:29pm Message 1 of 7
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Falls Church, VA - USA
Joined: 3/22/2006
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1975, 4 speed, L48, NOW Silver mist, Oxblood inside 2003 50th Av Torch RED little brother to 75

I really enjoy visiting this area and reading everyones postings. Here is where you find die hard C3 Corvette owners. I would like some disscussion on those really serious Corvette restoring fokes like from NCRA. Those guys really do get down to serious topics about numbers, markings made by some guy on the assembly line on a finder well. Is it just me but does it seem like they take a lot of the fun out of our passion for Corvette's? I belong to NCRA and enjoy most of the stuff they put out. But man don't they get absorbed into this GOLD stuff. Makes me almost feel bad when I replace a original part with a new one. Heck I've even started keeping everything I replace. So fellow Corvette friends am I just getting a little bent for nothing or does it also seem to you they have their boots on a little to tight, thanks for your time.

SGM2004
 



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Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

Posted: 6/22/07 7:18pm Message 2 of 7
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
In my humble opinion, there is a place for all levels of this hobby. I like to drive them and enjoy them so the numbers are unimportant to me. However as we all get older we long to see or own things that bring back fond memories of our earlier lives. I love to see an unmolested C2 or C3. It is nice to see one as it left the factory. It is a noble cause, in my opinion, to restore them to their original perfection. I think there is room for everyone that love these true American sports cars.

Scott
ranger32007-06-23 09:17:37


Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

Posted: 6/22/07 7:55pm Message 3 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I agree with Scott. I'm an NCRS member, and my '74 is a fully restored car. It has been awarded the NCRS "Top Flight" award several times, including at the National level.
If my car(the '74) had not been as original as it was when I bought it, I would have gone a different route with it, but, as it was, I decided to keep it that way. I believe in keeping them as original as we can, but...BUT...we should still be able to enjoy them!(My '85 is slowly going the opposite direction!)
I have absolutely no problem with anyone else doing whatever they want with their own Corvette. There are limits to that, tho, IMHO. To each his/her own!

Yeah, some of the NCRS folks get a bit too stiff/anal about things, but that's ok too. If it weren't for folks like that, we wouldn't have some of the pristine restored/original cars to look at and admire today. Ya can't let the "over the top" guys get ya down...
I say have fun...that's what driving/owning a Corvette is ALL about!



Joel Adams
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Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

Posted: 6/23/07 7:18am Message 4 of 7
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA
Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 617
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert
I too am a long time NCRS member.  I love to read restoration stories ....easier to dream about  then doing it....cheaper too! It's good the hobby has curators documenting how things were and strive to restore them that way.    I keep my Vette stock ....hard to resist the mag wheel, chrome it out temptation.....instead I do all that to my daily drivers and motorcycles I over restore.
Bottom line... I've never had a neighbor or onlooker in a parking lot ask me "do the numbers match?" or "are my nuts original"....(yes, thank you)
JU
johnu2007-06-23 07:22:06


      Only 34 years together

Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

Posted: 6/23/07 7:26am Message 5 of 7
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
I love a fully restored Vette almost as much as I love a original Vette.  But I love custom Vettes, and not so nice road warriors.  They each have their charm.
 
I will never do a full restore on my Vette.  It is possibily the ugliest functioning Vette on the road.  It will get much better as time goes on, but it won't be a show car.  It would be far cheaper for me to get a much better car, and restore that one.  Mine will be a good looking driver.   What's better than driving one?
 
No matter how far you go, or what you do with it doesn't matter if the car makes you happy.  It's all good.



Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

Posted: 6/23/07 7:38am Message 6 of 7
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Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2431
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible

Look at it this way - who's opinion of the condition of your Vette is most important?  YOUR'S.

Bottom line, if you love it, then who cares!?
 
Like Joel, if I hadn't started with such an original car, I would have gone a different route.  Mine would most likely already be slightly customized and modified.  However, with the condition mine is in, it doesn't need anything, so I'm going to try to keep it mostly original. 

I've been considering going to get judged at NCRS or Bloomington, but just haven't made it yet.  Actually, what I've thought is once after I get it judged at the level I want, maybe I will change a few things!
 
Guy, you do whatever you want to your car and enjoy it.  That's the most important thing!



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Serious Restoration HOW SERIOUS

Posted: 6/23/07 8:51am Message 7 of 7
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Falls Church, VA - USA
Joined: 3/22/2006
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1975, 4 speed, L48, NOW Silver mist, Oxblood inside 2003 50th Av Torch RED little brother to 75
Thanks guys and don't get me wrong those Vett owner have all the respect in the world from me. Its good to see such dedication and passion for our great machines. I have been working on my 75 for almost 13 years now and it's just about totally restored (-) a frame off.  When I frist got it it had years of neglect and miss use,and missing many parts which now it has. It also is turing into a fine Corvette. Thanks again Vett buddies you have given me better frame of mind. Will keep visiting this site.
 
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Guy



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