C3 restoration nightmare

[RMVette]

Originally Posted by StaticCling

FYI, Paragon and Wilcox are additional places to source parts. Wilcox has the occasional sale as well. Good luck.

Paragon’s catalogue had great exploded views of how things were assembled too.

[Grey Ghost]

And if you REMOVE the Corvette from the name of the part they sometimes get a lot cheaper. Chevrolet didn't use Corvette specific bolts. Look for Camaro, truck, etc...of near or the same year model. Same for other parts.

[C3C7NIC]

Ok. Tim and I pulled the deck lid and hood that were just sitting on top off as took a video.

Please make any observations about missing parts etc


We have the doors but it’s just the shell, no innards etc.

https://youtu.be/NUOYoL2WNs4

[C3C7NIC]

The best I could get of the underside.

Shocks on back but not on front? Is that normal?

Do y’all see brakes or calipers?

https://youtu.be/dp0BQ-Juyic

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

Get an AIM (68 Assembly Manual). Should give ya enough details to start…..

Have had one since we started working on her 8 years ago.



Actually took it to work and was thumbing through it between patients.

[m and t's77]

Another good source for parts/wiring if needed.

https://www.lectriclimited.com/

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

I stand corrected.

20-30 K in parts.


Still, guy is FOS

Based on the vids you posted, that estimate may be correct. Do you have any of the interior? Top frame? What parts DO you have that aren’t shown in the vids? As for labor, there’s a ton of work to be done. Most DIY-ers way underestimate the time and cost involved in a project like you’re taking on. Good luck.

[LisaJohn]

Good luck. I wish we could help y’all out. How can owner/widow just start selling off things in the shop? Wouldn’t they have contact the customers? Wouldn’t they have to post a legal notice that they were closing the business and give people a certain timeframe to pick up their stuff? If they find more of your car’s parts will they ship them to you or allow someone close to pick them up on your behalf? I’m just thinking out loud. Best wishes!

[ZipZap]

Wow. Sounds expensive!

Something that an OnlyFans solution might take care of

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by LisaJohn

Good luck. I wish we could help y’all out. How can owner/widow just start selling off things in the shop? Wouldn’t they have contact the customers? Wouldn’t they have to post a legal notice that they were closing the business and give people a certain timeframe to pick up their stuff? If they find more of your car’s parts will they ship them to you or allow someone close to pick them up on your behalf? I’m just thinking out loud. Best wishes!

Thanks Lisa.

To my knowledge she wouldn’t sell cars that belong to customers but not clear as to what parts she is or is not selling. Think she has someone doing all that for her.

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Based on the vids you posted, that estimate may be correct. Do you have any of the interior? Top frame? What parts DO you have that aren’t shown in the vids? As for labor, there’s a ton of work to be done. Most DIY-ers way underestimate the time and cost involved in a project like you’re taking on. Good luck.

Have most of interior, new carpet kit, 2 sets of seats, dynamat, gauges, new dash pad shifter console but rear 3 door top is ruined, have old vert top and found out this evening they finally found the new Al knoch Top that was mine. Also have the new tires/wheels/center hubs etc.

[MadInNc]

Originally Posted by m and t's77

Another good source for parts/wiring if needed.

https://www.lectriclimited.com/

Bought from them via Zip. Everything perfect, quick and all plug and play.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Based on the vids you posted, that estimate may be correct. Do you have any of the interior? Top frame? What parts DO you have that aren’t shown in the vids? As for labor, there’s a ton of work to be done. Most DIY-ers way underestimate the time and cost involved in a project like you’re taking on. Good luck.

No way 20k in parts and 30-45K in labor. They are crazy. IMO.

[Grey Ghost]

Brake lines?
Fuel Lines?
Inspection cover for flywheel?
Dash, gauges, knobs, etc...
console?
Gas/clutch/brake pedal assembly?
Fuel tank?
headlight hardware?
Headlight doors and painted?
Doors painted?
Windshield trim?
any other outside trim?
emblems?
wipers?
wiper motor?
brake booster?

Usually, cosmetics is the most expensive part of any restoration. Parts and the mechanical work don't compare.

It's nice, very nice.

Get a separate quote from an upholsterer or shop to finish the interior. Get a quote from a mobile mechanic or shop to get it running/driving. Just try a few different people to do specific task instead of one dude to take on the entire project and see how it compares.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

No way 20k in parts and 30-45K in labor. They are crazy. IMO.

I don’t know about parts as you don’t yet have a comprehensive list of what’s needed. Keep in mind that a shop marks them up from what you’d pay. A good shop will charge $100/h or so for labor, how many hours do you think it will take to completely finish it? I don’t think that labor estimate is out of line. I’ve done frame up restorations and builds; it always takes longer than you think it will. Always.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

I don’t know about parts as you don’t yet have a comprehensive list of what’s needed. Keep in mind that a shop marks them up from what you’d pay. A good shop will charge $100/h or so for labor, how many hours do you think it will take to completely finish it? I don’t think that labor estimate is out of line. I’ve done frame up restorations and builds; it always takes longer than you think it will. Always.

I think she needs to break it all down into manageable groups/sub-systems vs one big car restoration or put back together.

Organize ALL the headlight stuff into a pile. Take pics, make list of what is there and what is known missing, compare to AIM. Only headlight stuff. Source parts and let a mobile mechanic install.

Interior - same, find a upholstery shop that will reinstall dash, soft/hard items, top. Let them take care of all that.

Mobile mechanic - how much does he want to tackle? Get it running? Install headlights? Driveshaft? Fuel tank? Lines? Brake system( lines, calipers, booster, cylinders, hoses, etc?) Ignition system (is it timed, HEI ign?, ignition tumbler/keys, tilt/tele rebuild?) Fuel system (tank, lines, pump,carb,filters?) Break each system down into it's own section. Radiator good? Water pump? Hoses? Heater core?

Autobody shop - all outside trim, emblems, windshield trim. Doors, hood, decklid, headlight doors all aligned to correct panel gap.

Electrical - mobile mechanic or shop. All new harnesses. Probably now, while things are easy to access.

[sublime1996525]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

I don’t know about parts as you don’t yet have a comprehensive list of what’s needed. Keep in mind that a shop marks them up from what you’d pay. A good shop will charge $100/h or so for labor, how many hours do you think it will take to completely finish it? I don’t think that labor estimate is out of line. I’ve done frame up restorations and builds; it always takes longer than you think it will. Always.

I think if she found a shop that charges $100 for labor, it would be on the cheap side. The shops I've been contacting are $125-$150 an hour. Shit has gotten pricy.

[sublime1996525]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

I think she needs to break it all down into manageable groups/sub-systems vs one big car restoration or put back together.

Organize ALL the headlight stuff into a pile. Take pics, make list of what is there and what is known missing, compare to AIM. Only headlight stuff. Source parts and let a mobile mechanic install.

Interior - same, find a upholstery shop that will reinstall dash, soft/hard items, top. Let them take care of all that.

Mobile mechanic - how much does he want to tackle? Get it running? Install headlights? Driveshaft? Fuel tank? Lines? Brake system( lines, calipers, booster, cylinders, hoses, etc?) Ignition system (is it timed, HEI ign?, ignition tumbler/keys, tilt/tele rebuild?) Fuel system (tank, lines, pump,carb,filters?) Break each system down into it's own section. Radiator good? Water pump? Hoses? Heater core?

Autobody shop - all outside trim, emblems, windshield trim. Doors, hood, decklid, headlight doors all aligned to correct panel gap.

Electrical - mobile mechanic or shop. All new harnesses. Probably now, while things are easy to access.

Breaking it down into categories is a great idea. I created a spreadsheet for my Trans Am with different tabs for each area.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by sublime1996525

I think if she found a shop that charges $100 for labor, it would be on the cheap side. The shops I've been contacting are $125-$150 an hour. Shit has gotten pricy.

I haven't paid a shop for anything for years, but that doesn't surprise me. At $125/h that means the labor estimate she got is for 240-360 hours to take what she has and completely finish it. If anything that's low.

[C3C7NIC]

I'll put a star to the left of anything in your list that is needed>>>

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Brake lines?
Fuel Lines? those are in
Inspection cover for flywheel?
(Needs installed but there) Dash, gauges, knobs, etc...
console?
Gas/clutch/brake pedal assembly?
Fuel tank?
all of that is together but needs installed >> headlight hardware?
yes, painted but not installed Headlight doors and painted?
yes> Doors painted?
Not sure, I think installed Windshield trim?
any other outside trim?
***I have them but they are not installed as paint has not been fully buffed out yet. emblems?
** not installed nor is the motor wipers?
installed - wiper motor?
installed but not the one I sent, one in car is rusty and yucky looking >brake booster?

Usually, cosmetics is the most expensive part of any restoration. Parts and the mechanical work don't compare.

It's nice, very nice.

Get a separate quote from an upholsterer or shop to finish the interior. Get a quote from a mobile mechanic or shop to get it running/driving. Just try a few different people to do specific task instead of one dude to take on the entire project and see how it compares.

Good input, frame has been fixed, powder coated and on, all body work and paint is done, but parts need to go on and paint needs to be buffed. Headlight ASY are put together but not installed.

For some reason brake calipers/pads (which were on the car) are now missing

Suspension is mostly installed but everything is loose, there are shocks on the back but not the front, not sure what that is about.

I sent new dynamat/carpet kit out there and still have that but needs installed, they located the new convertible top yesterday but it needs to be installed on old frame.

Hardware for doors/decklid/hood are all missing, but should be able to buy that stuff new.

Engine is running as he drove it into paint booth and engine was rebuilt before going to NC (as was suspension/brakes/tranny)

[MadInNc]

Another thing Nick~e. Go to local car shows/ vette clubs. There might be a few guys willing to take parts of the finish on. Ie headlights, engine, brakes etc. there has to be a vette hobbyist close to ya in OK.

When I sold my 65, it went to Co where cars and timing had to set for 4,000gt compared to 88 above sea level. New owner found a local guy who rebuilds his own Vettes and takes on “some work”. Worked out for him.

If ya find a guy local, have him pick up tasks - first get in running and moving. Assuming door and hood/ deck on, 2nd lights and electric/ fiber etc. don’t dump whole project on the guy as ya can do most work yourself