I am thinking about preforming a body-off restoration on my 1966, 98% original Corvette. I plan to do everything but the paint, including stripping the body. I would like to know what books would be the best to buy detailing step by step instructions with pictures. I am also wondering where the best place to find original or correct replacement parts such as a radiator, rear bumpers, battery, etc. I realize that Corvette swap meets are the best place but was wondering about companies that specialize in used parts. Any other info would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Re: 1966 Resto-help
You have a great adventure ahead on a steep learning curve! Others will add significant suggestions on this/that in book lore to support your effort. But, I would start with two suggestions:
(1) If your '66 really is 98% original, why not STOP with your restoration
effort and see what you might be able to do campaigning the car in one
of the unrestored factory concours slots first? At NCRS, we have a
recognition category called Bowtie that's aimed at honoring unrestored
cars where ONLY originality is considered (condtion of this/that doesn't
matter). Bloomington calls their similar award category 'Survivor'....
Point is, at NCRS a given car can only vie for Bowtie ONCE and after you've
started a serious restoration, you've permanently close this door for your
car for all time...
(2) Before STARTING your restoration, consider delaying the process and having
the car judged AS IS regardless of whether or not you might have interest
in traveling the un-restored concours circuit. There are several benefits.
First, you'll become familiar with what's what, what judges look for, AND
you'll get up front 'tips' about what needs focus. Second, a picture is
worth a thousand words, and seeing other '66 cars on the field next to you
before you jump in and start will GREATLY supplement what's available to
you and your library in printed matter. -
Re: 1966 Resto-help
Well having my car judged sounds like a good idea but it really is not in the best of shape. It's a 1 family 2 owner car with 63k original miles. The father sold it to the son in 97. The sons wife urged him to keep it in the family but he never took care of it. For example one of his young sons took a permanent marker to the nose of the car. The original paint is in pretty bad shape with chips and scrapes all over the car. I know for sure things like the battery, radiator, upper spare tire tub, and shocks are not original and possibly the carb. But then things like the Trico windshield wipers, alternator, engine, all glass, rearview mirror, interrior, and it also had 3 of the 4 original t-3 headlamps. Let me know what you think.Comment
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Re: 1966 Resto-help
It would be difficult to improve on the comments and suggestions that Jack gave you. I can only add emphasis and a sense of urgency to the idea of having the car judged BEFORE you begin the restoration process. There are very few mid-year corvettes that have the option to "restore or not restore". Anyone with enough money and/or mechanical ability can have a restored Vette but it can only be original once. Seek some knowledgeable advice and insight before you close that door.
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Re: 1966 Resto-help
Jack,
Thanks for the info. I'm the guy with the "98%" original Corvette. What you mentioned is something I am greatly interested in. I recently purchased this car and would love to know the best route to caring for this car. I would like at some point to get this car as close to how it was when it rolled off the assembly line. I am not going to do anything to the car until find out the right and best way to go. Any further info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time, MattComment
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Re: 1966 Resto-help
Hi Matthew,
1. Join the NCRS!
2. Take your Corvette to a local NCRS show.
3. Read the NCRS publications/ask questions, and learn BEFORE you begin...
Thanks,
Eric Mortimer info@ncrs.org
P.S. We mail NCRS New Member Packets (almost) every Friday via "Priority Mail". Join now, and you can have your info almost immediately.
Join the NCRS today!Comment
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Re: 1966 Resto-help
Matt, All the comments from Jack, Ray,& Eric, all gave you good advice on your original car. As they all pointed out your education of what your car is as it now sits will be of the greatest importance once or if you then undertake a restoration. The originallity of your car as it is now once a restoration effort starts can not be reversed. Please take your car to several NCRS events and become more versed prior to any restoration activity. You may learn and exchange many points of interest about your car you never dreamed of that provoke interesting conversations.Comment
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Re: 1966 Resto-help
Matthew, When you come across a car like you say, 98% original, you should listen to the above posts. Everything you do to the car now, before having it judged, will probably hurt the score you can get. Please join, take the car to a chapter or regional meet. Have the team leader look at your car to see if the car would be a "bowtie candidate". He will give you the best advice on what to do. Do not listen to friends, mechanics, relatives or other car guys who aren't NCRS members! Remember a "bowtie car" has to only be 80% to 85% original to win the award. Good luck, Bob
Texas Chapter NCRSComment
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Re: 1966 Resto-help
Matt - I have a 66 unrestored original. I have owned it for over 20 years and I bought it from the original owner. It has 112000 miles. I have driven it to many Corvette meets and functions over the years and have really enjoyed "using" the car. A few years ago I drove the car 200 miles to a Regional meet and received a top flight award. The following year I drove the 200 miles again to a Regional meet and passed the PV test. In addition to all the other posts (which I agree with completely) besides learning at NCRS functions, it is one great fun experience. Join, participate, and learn like the rest of us. That is what makes the NCRS such a great organization. Good luck.Comment
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Re: 1966 Resto-help Thank You
Thank you to everyone who have given advice and shared their knowledge. I am going to do exactly what everyone has suggested and leave the car alone. I am joining NCRS because I have never come across a nicer group of peolpe more willing to help out a new-comer. Thanks again to everyone and I hope to see some of you at the shows. I currently live in Columbia, South Carolina and will be looking to attend regional meets. So if you see a fairly whethered red 1966 Corvette with magic marker scribble on the nose, then most likely I'll be close by.
Thanks Again,
MattComment
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