How much to Restore??

[Jim D.]

Re: How much to Restore??

Adding to Gene's list of safety and reliability items, consider replacing the 50 year old wiring that was only designed to last 10 years.

[Frank D.]

Re: How much to Restore??

Al Knoch sells the only thing close to an original-looking '63 headliner....don't even consider anybody else...Corvette America has the typical vinyl glued to a hard plastic shell that is NOTHING like an original. The AK piece is NOT like that (I don't know where the information above in post #14 came from) -- it is much more like the original with a cloth-like material bonded to a hard backing.

However, the AK headliner texture is not exactly like the original which I made quite clear in my first post above. However, it is very close....if you take an original out of the car (I have) and put it in the sun you will see a very subtle "sine wave" looking pattern to the pebbled texture which occurs in side-to-side rows - the repro has the pebbling but is missing that subtle pattern and the 'pebbling' is the slightest bit more coarse. As to coloring, mine is red and I have horrible eyes for color resolution so I'll leave that topic open - the repro looks fine to me.

When the AK repro is installed with the trim on it is quite presentable but I don't know about judging 'hits' (or not). When its in the car you really can't get the distance and perspective to see the 'sine wave' effect so that's a wash. I doubt anybody but a C2 interior judge could pick out a repro...

As I stated also above if your coupe ever had a leaky windshield gasket the front of the original liner prob got good and soaked and is now like flimsy cardboard - trying to remove it will almost certainly 'crease' it and once that happens its hard to regain the correct appearance.

(Ask me how I know!)

The first two pics are the Al Knoch repro,(I exaggerated the pebble grain with a close up shot in second pic) the third is an original headliner (a friend's '63 black interior) -- the fourth is the POS Corvette America piece that had adhesive failure after the FIRST ride in the Florida sun....horrible repro part...

ANYWAY - the bottom line is that, if an original piece is servicable and presentable you are often best served by leaving it alone !!

[Chris D.]

Re: How much to Restore??

Richard,

Looks like a wonderful car. Did the stock 63 hood clear the 67 brake master cylinder? I was under the impression that the underhood reinforcement would interfere.

[Richard M.]

Re: How much to Restore??

Richard,

Looks like a wonderful car. Did the stock 63 hood clear the 67 brake master cylinder? I was under the impression that the underhood reinforcement would interfere.

Chris, Yes a great car. My wife drove it everywhere and had much fun with it after I got it safe and more presentable. This was from our trip back to Florida from Virginia where I first found it. It was meant to be. The build date of the car was my Mom's birthday, February 27, and my wife Cathie took care of my Mom every day when she took ill and moved in with us several years prior when we lived in NH.
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The added front disc brakes gave it abrupt stopping power. The master cylinder just barely touched the hood underside and left gouges in the rib when we first bought the car. When I did the engine bay refreshening I recall I added 2 washers at the booster top mounts to kick the MC nose down a bit. It was actually not a big problem but I didn't want further scratching. The hood closed fine but the MC always just touched the underside. When I refinished the underside of the hood later on I repaired the heavy gouges.
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I'll add to my original thoughts mentioned earlier...............

When we first got it there were many little issues but overall a good safe ride. I went through the whole car before I released it to her for daily use, then I'd follow her around while driving my '59 in case of trouble. We often had a little fun side by side at traffic lights. Over time we worked on it together. New carpets, restored gauge cluster, etc. The seats were original vinyl and very nice. Thankfully the headliner was very nice and just a cleaning brightened it up. The paint was quite original in most areas and a machine compound buffing brought it back to life.

Before.....Note original Titled mileage. Powerglide cars are ideal original survival candidates. This one was true to form.
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Some Before & After's.....Shipwright's Disease set in after a short while so the entire car was body-on restored. It's so easy to get started, one thing leads to another(like a simple battery change), and then it's very hard to stop.
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A rusted frame end cap turned into a substantial task as well. A small hole in the end cap during inspection at the sellers site became a big hole with a hammer test when we got it home. Can't really do a hammer test at a sellers site but I knew it was a issue. It didn't defer the sale, it did however help with negotiations.
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After lots of tinkering it was a fine coupe for her to drive without fear of failing.
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We had it for about 4 years and she and I drove it all around Florida. One of the most reliable cars we'd ever own. The Corvette 300HP and Powerglide were great. A nice European gentleman bought it 5 years ago. He and I became friends then. We met at Kissimmee the January after he bought it and we had a great time and stay in touch often. He and his wife now drive it all around Austria and Europe. They love it too. When he came to Florida then he presented me with a nice gift and a magazine. The car made a nice story over there. Great tribute to a great car.

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Sorry if I rambled on as I usually do, but I think I made my point. Once you get started it's hard to stop. I like the drive & restore & repeat method. Have fun with the car and do a little at a time so you don't get discouraged and disenchanted and find you have a basket case on your hands with no end in sight. I find this makes for a more enjoyable Corvette ownership experience.

Rich