Jack, Joe, Pat

[Chester]

This is Chester With the 68, I would like to take this time to thank you guys and all the other I didn't mentioned. Without you guys and knowledge I would be lost in this restoration. Books are black and white and are no substitute for the real thing. I'm 25, last of 10, doing well for myself and have the love of corvettes and all muscle cars and restoring a car that is 31 years old. My father (not to make you seem older (he's 67 father of 10) loves history like I do.--He always says, "I don't need to learn history, I lived it." You are what make this hobby prosper and I hope that I can learn and shed my knowledge to my nephews and others, as you are doing. If I ever get to meet you guys or you guys get to Ohio let me know-- I need you guys to sign my Air Cleaner Lid.. This dream would have been spoiled with out you great car lovers!! When I write thanks, there is more than six letters that go into the word.

THANKS,

JC

[Jack H.]

Re: Jack, Joe, Pat

We see your enthusiasm and want to kindle it as that's pretty much the way we all started ourselves. Sometimes you want to scream trying to help long distance through the broken mirror of e-mail text -- helps to be there, see it, shoot the breeze and suck a beer. But, I KNOW you'll get there and want to help. But, I gotta make sure you understand that virtually NOBODY gets it all 'right' the first time out of the gate. This is an artform as well as science and sometimes there's no 'right' answer for a given question -- just a plurality of shades of grey. Keep on keepin' on, Chester!!!

[Patrick H.]

You're Welcome!

You're Welcome!!!

It's frustrating when you're restoring an odd year like your 68, and you don't have neigborhood Corvette "authorities" to consult with.

By the way, I'm only 31, so don't think that being young means you can't learn and be knowledgeable. I've been attending Bloomington since 1988 at age 20, joined NCRS and drove someone else's Vette to Bloomington at 22, judged Chapter and OJ'ed National at 24, and became a contributor for Vette Magazine at 26 with my 71 as a project car. I have also continued to judge since 1992 on a semi-regular basis, either on 67's or on 70-72's. I'm lucky that when it comes to Corvettes and the knowledge thereof, my mind works like a sponge.

Read every book you can about 63 to 82 Corvettes, and you will learn a lot about your 68 along the way, as features both before and after will overlap on your car. I learned a lot about the factory line and chassis construction by reading Noland Adams' 63-67 book (5 times), as a large portion is similar to my 71. As I have mentioned before, Dave Burroughs' book on his 65 will teach you a lot about the correct factory restoration, and has great chassis pictures too.

And don't worry if your restoration takes longer than you expect. Very few of us are done on time...

Patrick Hulst