C3 restoration nightmare

[Old Ben]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Have the bumpers, but as paint is not buffed yet they are not installed.

How far is Norm from OKC. there are not many corvette folks in my area, we’ll not classic corvette folks. Most people around here drive the newer ones. Starting to understand why. 😩


Oh shit, I looked, he is in Delaware, yea, that’s not happening. This last 2300 mile round trip to Charlotte sucked. No more long road trips with a trailer for this girl. NOPE NOPE NOPE.

I looked through some papers that I still had from the Corvette Club here and they show a club in OKC. You may need to check with the local Chevy dealers as they may know if it is still active.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Old Ben

I looked through some papers that I still had from the Corvette Club here and they show a club in OKC. You may need to check with the local Chevy dealers as they may know if it is still active.

Great idea Ben, but I already did that. There is a Corvette club in OKC, but they seem to not be interested in adding ne members as I have reached out many times.

The only decent lead I have is the guy where my Dad's Jag is, knows a guy that used to have a corvette shop, going to see if he can get in touch with him to come look at what we have and give input on game plan.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

@C3C7NIC Call my buddy Steve, ya have his. #. Plenty of places and clubs in N Texas

I may do that soon. Not sure how far he is from me, but may see if I could pay him to come and look things over.

[73sbVert]

Originally Posted by StaticCling

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

I think Ernie finally gave up. I haven't been able to log in or order anything for months.
Website looks like it's shut down and I got no reply from email query either.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by 73sbVert

I think Ernie finally gave up. I haven't been able to log in or order anything for months.
Website looks like it's shut down and I got no reply from email query either.

I've seen that, and it is a major bummer. Ernie basically walked me through a VERY stubborn problem with my wipers. He had a shit ton of awesome technical videos that were very helpful to me many times. I hope he is well, and just focusing on other things.

[Grey Ghost]

If you see stamped numbers like on the metal piece. Just google that number along with corvette or chevrolet. You should get some hits on what it is.

The tele column looks like from the '80s/'90s or something. Tilt would be great. You just have to buy a cheap tumbler/keys for it and figure out the exact year. You would also need the electrical part of the ignition switch that is usually at the base of the column and some custom wire work to make it work. There is a long metal rod that runs down the column to actually work the electric switch. The other wiring would have to go up to the turn signal switch near the steering wheel and may also need a bit of customizing to make it work. If you are comfortable with the factory non-tilt. It will be easier to reinstall it and maybe customize later on.

I don't see a lot of missing parts, either. It's just most people don't want to come behind another mechanic or whoever blew it apart and figure out how everything goes, proper bolts, etc...you may come out cheaper just buying already labeled fastners from the link provided earlier vs sorting all that stuff.

Now is the time to replace the electrical harnesses. Everything is easy to access. Usually one for under hood, interior, and another to the rear.

[Budman]

Wow, this is quite a restoration.

I had not read about this on either site, sold my 68 almost 10 years ago, so I don’t watch the C3 sections much.

If you were around the Sarasota FL area I’d be glad to help you out with some labor, I’m no C3 expert but have worked on cars most as a hobby most of my life.

Wish you the best on completing this project, it’s going to be great when you finish.

Is there a thread anywhere on the XKE? I always wanted one. I had a chance to buy a V-12 roadster in 1973 for $4000. Unfortunately I was a poor college student at the time and could barely afford beer.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Giraffe (He/Him)

There must be a significant back story to this one. $60k? in MISSING parts?

I misspoke. It was actually 20-30k PLUS labor = 60k total

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Have you sought out the sleaziest lawyer you could find capable of squeezing every penny out of the business owners?

I suspect legal action would just end up costing me more money.

Originally Posted by dvarapala

I may have missed it, but was there an inventory of all the parts that were given to this guy and which should now be returned? Without that, getting any sort of legal recourse is going to be long and extremely painful as the OP has said.

Very in-depth inventory of every part that we took there, working to inventory what we have now and compare. Also lots of pictures and videos on the other place on threads I posted.

Originally Posted by LisaJohn

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!

Hasn’t happened yet but was assured the guy the widow is having do these things WILL ship parts they come across that belong to me.

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

Not uncommon to just loosely assemble stuff for fitment(get assembled enough to roll it also) at all so not surprising really.
But everyone is different...

Doors are going to be a challenge to assemble and get on car without damage, they suck on good day.
Painters tape is your friend, luckily paint is hardened 100% so there's that.
Interior isn't really hard to do, just time consuming.
The top however I would have done professionally if it was me. Finding a good convertible top guy familiar with corvettes of that era a must. He'll know the ins and outs, weak points, do and don't do's that could save damage/money and time. If they haven't done any of those I'd pass...

Might seem simple but all fluid need checked also, rear diff especially I'd say since easist to forget to check.
Master cylinder is missing but those are cheap enough.

Great advice!

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Budman

Wow, this is quite a restoration.

I had not read about this on either site, sold my 68 almost 10 years ago, so I don’t watch the C3 sections much.

If you were around the Sarasota FL area I’d be glad to help you out with some labor, I’m no C3 expert but have worked on cars most as a hobby most of my life.

Wish you the best on completing this project, it’s going to be great when you finish.

Is there a thread anywhere on the XKE? I always wanted one. I had a chance to buy a V-12 roadster in 1973 for $4000. Unfortunately I was a poor college student at the time and could barely afford beer.

I have several threads on this other forum for the jag. My Dad had the jag 90% done when he passed. Tim and I have done a little at a time on the jag ourselves.

When I say we know very little about cars, that is true, but working on British cars and Lucas wiring is a damn chit show!!!

Here is one of the threads on my E-type. Jaguar guys have been awesome. Made friends with guys 8 hours away and they helped us fix a major engine issue.

https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/hell...e-group/403404

[zeek]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Was tired of hijacking the other thread with my car drama, so starting a thread here for that BS.

So a local restoration shop owner came by the house today to assess everything. My husband was there, I am at work. When he called and asked if I was sitting down, I knew the news was going to suck.

As if I did not want to throw up before, the news just keeps getting worse and worse.

He said that there is approximately $35-40K labor hours to get the car completed.

There are approximately $20-30K in parts missing from the car. 60K total to get car completed.

I don't even have the words to explain the level of absolute disgust I am feeling at this moment.

Im confused....you state 35,000 to 40,000 hours of labor....that alone would be close to 2 million dollars.... but you say $60k total including parts and labor. m sorry, but the condition that car is in, while that is a high estimate, I could easily see $40k to $50K total for a complete restoration. Hell a decent paint job cost between 6 and 10 grand now adays....

[outrunm]

Car is already painted and her quote on the labor hours has a $ sign in front of it.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by zeek

Im confused....you state 35,000 to 40,000 hours of labor....that alone would be close to 2 million dollars.... but you say $60k total including parts and labor. m sorry, but the condition that car is in, while that is a high estimate, I could easily see $40k to $50K total for a complete restoration. Hell a decent paint job cost between 6 and 10 grand now adays....

K in “labor”. Sorry the hours created confusion.

All body work/paint is done, chassis and engine done, engine done.

So…. 60K total is what guy quoted. AKA - he is CRAZY.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by outrunm

Car is already painted and her quote on the labor hours has a $ sign in front of it.

You get me Steve! 🤞🏻😂🤞🏻😂

🤪

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

I stand corrected.

20-30 K in parts.


Still, guy is FOS

You can buy a damn nice C7 for that cost

[Strats-N-Vettes]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

You can buy a damn nice C7 for that cost

There are no nice C7s on the globe anywhere...they're all just a bunch of pointy nosed, clapped-out Camaros...

[Rikki Z-06]

Originally Posted by Strats-N-Vettes

There are no nice C7s on the globe anywhere...they're all just a bunch of pointy nosed, clapped-out Camaros...

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Strats-N-Vettes

There are no nice C7s on the globe anywhere...they're all just a bunch of pointy nosed, clapped-out Camaros...

Post a photo of your Corvette. I don’t think I’ve seen it.

Oh, and:
.

[Strats-N-Vettes]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Post a photo of your Corvette. I don’t think I’ve seen it.

Oh, and:
.

Been posted many many times...all of them.
You keep drinking that cheap vodka and cannot remember.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Strats-N-Vettes

Been posted many many times...all of them.
You keep drinking that cheap vodka and cannot remember.

Post a pic of the current one.

Stikki drinks the cheap stuff, you must have us confused.

[StaticCling]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

You can buy a damn nice C7 for that cost

A C7 isn't a Big Block C3.

Nothing against C7's, but Big Block Mid-Years and Sharks have a cool factor that can't compare to anything new.