My new appreciation for body off restorations

[Michael B.]

To anyone who has completed a body off restoration; I want to say that I have a new appreciation and respect for the scope of that undertaking. I'm in the early stages of restoring my 72 coupe and very much underestimated the amount of work, and research needed to accomplish this task. I also want to thank all the people who worked so hard to complete the new 70 - 72 Judging Guide. Without the detailed description of the parts, and their finishes included in this JG, I doubt I could do this as a first time restorer.

My advice to anyone considering doing this themselves. Just skip your first restoration completely and start with your second one. That way you'll avoid all the inevitable mistakes that come with the first one.

Seriously, I feel like I've turned the corner and the project is now in the reassembly stage. The frame is back from the sand blaster, and painted. The engine has been rebuilt. The transmission should be back this week. The differential, driveshaft, half shafts, and trailing arms are all rebuilt and ready to go back on the frame. Gary has my steering box. The UPS man is starting to hate me.

I also want to thank all the people on this forum that have helped me with all my questions (especially Joe Lucia).


Mike B.

[Patrick H.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

Mike,

Just think - you have it easy because you have other cars on hand just in case you have the "where does this go" problem crop up. I have been very happy to have a few 72s and a 71 here to cross reference when I'm doing work. I don't envy those who restore a car and it's the only one they have to look at as an example.

Patrick

[Michael B.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

So true Patrick. I am fortunate to have one to refer to. However, that one needs a restoration also, so I can't know for sure if what I see on that car is correct or not.

Your pictures on Flicker have been an immense help, especially your Bowtie car.

How did anyone ever do this before the Internet?

Mike

[Patrick H.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

How did anyone ever do this before the Internet?

Mike

I freshened up some of my 71 back in 1996. Back then I took a lot of photos, but since I was cheap and it was pre-digital, I had them done in black-and-white, and had them made into proof sheets. However, before I started I looked under the hood of every 1971 I could find, and took pictures. Back then I went to both Bloomington and Carlisle each year, which was helpful. At one point I could tell you what changed from early to mid to late model year under the hood.

Now I take digital photos - lots of them - and wish I took more.

I made some mistakes back then, that's for sure. Some I still recall, and knowing them helps me when I assist in the JG revisions.

Patrick

[Edward B.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

Thanks for using the proper term, "body off." It's always grating to read "frame off" which, if you think about it, doesn't make much sense.

[Eric E.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

Mike, Patrick speaks true words. I am in an area that there isn't anyone within hours that's into this type of a project and this site is a god send. Not only are local cars and owners a blessing and resource but also their local business contacts and local vendor experiences saves so much time and research. Eric

[Tim G.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

Mike, I'm assuming this is the 1972 that you ordered new, correct?

[Michael B.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

Tim,

Yes, that's the one. You know, the base engine/automatic car that won't be worth half of what the restoration costs. Fortunately, I don't really care about that.

After getting a taste of what this body off restoration involves I'm not sure my LT-1 will ever get it's turn.

I've been wondering what you guys are working on lately. Any C3's in your shop?

Mike

[Tim G.]

Re: My new appreciation for body off restorations

Mike, no C-3's but we did go to see the progress on a restoration of a nice '69 L88 a few weeks ago. We've just been trying to fix all the things we've screwed up in the past. We're almost back to everything working again.