My interior has seen better days - that's for sure. Many of the panels are different shades of the original 1976 Smoke Gray they used to be (who knew Smoke Gray turns Dingy Yellow with age?). Then there's the windshield pillar dry rot crumbling at the top where the T-Tops lock in place, the door pull that's only connected at the bottom on the passenger side (which everyone who first time sits in there and goes to close the door thinks they broke it), and the console that's more of a "patchwork quilt".

Bottom line - time to redo!

I can see doing most of this myself - but what about the speedo/tach dash? Is how difficult is that to pull and clean or replace? It's not damaged - just really dirty so hopefully I can clean it and repaint it?

Any tips before I start unscrewing things and screwing things up?

Go for it! My son and I restored the interior of our '76 and it turned out very nice! We replaced some parts and clean the dyed others. It took us about 6 months of weekends and evenings. Just take your time and be patient.

Eric-
I sau GO FOR IT!!! If you got the funds for it, then do it and do it well! It's your fun car, you might as well make it the best you can so you can enjoy it and show it off without feeling like yeah it great but...... then there will be no but!!

I bought my vet knowing that the interior was shot. It needs to be replaced very very badly, since I just got it, we are going to overhaul the carb first. Then I am gonna take it out to a few interior shops and see what kind of prices they give me for doing a full interior job! I also need to get some mechinal things done as well. Here's what I need done Front Stablizer Link Kit, Rear Spring Bushing Link Kit, Complete Exhaust, Upper and Lower Control arm bushings, Steering Stablizer Bushings and a Rear Pinion Seal. I am all to happy that myhusband is a mechinac so that the only thing I need to pay for is parts - he's the labor!! I am looking forward to being able to cruise around next summer.

Owen said: Go for it! My son and I restored the interior of our '76 and it turned out very nice! We replaced some parts and clean the dyed others. It took us about 6 months of weekends and evenings. Just take your time and be patient.

I've been looking it over and most of the panels seem pretty easy to pull/clean/dye/replace. The one I'm more concerned about is the drivers dash. Anything you (or anyone else!) could give me in terms of things to watch out for, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Great post! I just logged on to pose the same question! My main concern is, "Who has the best vinyl dye?"

Eric

Just be careful when pulling out the dash panel. You don't want to break it. It's alot easier to remove with the A pillar trim off. Plus, the pillar trims are easier to dye when out of the car. My interior is doeskin, but the thin edge of the pillar trim (against the windshield)is black. I did my interior a few months ago and it looks awsome. I went to the local autobody supply and got dye from them to match my doeskin interior. Just make sure you get all the dye from the same lot so it all matches. Those cans don't as far as you think. Order extra!!!

Good Luck

Dan

Here is my experience with a 72'

1. Remove the pillar strips above the top dash.
2. Remove the door sill plates, then the plastic under the dash on both sides. Each side is held by two screws on the outside door and three screws that connect each side to the top dash.
3. Remove the screws from the center cluster. Two left two right and one into the top of the dash.
4. Pass. side comes out easy, be careful to disconnect the wiring that needs removal.
5. One screw from a metal bracket to top of the dash is last to hold the dash in place.
6. Remove the top dash carefully by slightly bending down, wathc the wires connected to the top dash speakers, remove them.
7. Disconnect the plastic piece under the drivers side dash, then the metal beracket with the vaccum switches. Loosen the two large bolts for the steering column to give you more room. You will have to disconnect many bulbs and wires from the dash but you will be able to remove. The TAch unscrews and the speedometer is clipped.
8. Center cluster is attached by two nuts that go throug a bracket in the console, easy to loose stuff here. If removed before many parts could be missing. Again many things to unplug, be careful and make notes. Oil line is trickey and myst be connected woth new couplings, trust me you don't want oil to leak here.
9. Anything black can be repainted Krylon Semi Flat black. Use a rasor blade to scrape off parts that need to be silver. New instrument glass makes a huge difference in an interior resto., not expensive. While dash is apart relube the speedo cable. Be careful and very patient.
I recommend an assembly manual from Mid America. Also good is The HAynes manual 68-82 corvette and Childon 63-83.
Good Luck!

Eric,

Don't leave the door panels leaning anywhere, I made this mistake and mine are not just far enough out of flat that I can't get them back on the car. Very infuriating since they LOOK fine. Pitfall to be wary of. Your seat tracks and frames may be fragile if they're rusted at all.

Scot

just go for it......
get yourself the assembly manual and service manual and you surely can do it

i am just about to start a complete restoration , never done it before but i will get it done

art-corvette78 said: just go for it...... get yourself the assembly manual and service manual and you surely can do it i am just about to start a complete restoration , never done it before but i will get it done

I'm totally feeling inspired now! Gonna hit the catalog's and start ordering. Fingers crossed....