Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

[Thomas C.]

I bought a 1960 corvette decades ago when I was young, naive, and quite frankly, ignorant about corvettes. At the time it could best be described as a project car. It was not a complete car, did not have any of its original drive train components, and the body was customized to some degree. I did spend some time getting it road worthy and removing some of the body modifications. I drove the car for a year and loved it but I decided that the car should be put back to its original condition. So I began a body off restoration, tearing down the chassis, having it sandblasted and painted, and rebuilding the entire front suspension. Then life happened, marriage, children, etc. and I spent very limited time over the years working on it.

Well I have recently retired and my hope is to complete what I started so long ago. But here is my dilemma, I cannot decide the appropriate direction to take to complete the car and I have gone back and forth multiple times in trying to decide. Since the car does not have its original drive train, and finding it will never happen, is it best to restore it with period correct drive train components or should I update them with modern components. I know that there are ways to find drive train parts that can be "correct", and I have read many opinions about this, and I am certainly not looking to do anything fraudulent, but without build records, I have no idea what options the car originally had so if I did go down the period correct route, what configuration do I go with. I should add that I am not sure if I want to have the car judged or not, maybe at some point in the future, but with not having the pleasure of driving it for so long, my first priority is to drive and enjoy it again. I know that upgrading some components might make driving it even more enjoyable but I am torn between updating and keeping it true to its 1960 roots. Obviously making the car as valuable as possible is a factor as well.

I am curious what others have done with cars in a similar condition and an looking for comments, suggestions and opinions.

[Tony R.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Others here will be far more qualified and experienced in diving into giving advice to you. The only thing I will say is that if you're going to sink money and time into this make sure in the end you'll have the type of car you want. I am currently restoring a '54 to NCRS standards, but that is what I am looking for. Another place to place a post like this might be www.corvetteforum.com.

Also, while I am not dismissive of the value proposition, remember that it only really matters if you're going to sell it. Lots of folks view this element in different ways. It's a lot easier to do an NCRS restoration and not end up upside down if you can do the work yourself and if you begin with a pretty complete/correct car.

[Frank D.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Normally I wouldn't bring it up, but your car is certainly now a restomod candidate and can even participate in the new NCRS judging categories. It might be an easier "go" than trying to pull together original parts for a project car, enough to make it driveable at any rate... Depending on your budget, skill level and desires you can get a "rolling" modern chassis, complete with drivetrain, suspension and brakes from outfits like Corvette Corrections and others. Or you can put a crate motor in the car with a modern transmission just to have a driver, There are a ton of possibilities.

[Robert W.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

I bought an L79 1966 roadster (PS, PB AC, Posi, KO) a few years ago. It wasn't cheap either, but I've easily spent as much as I paid for the car to restore it to what I wanted. I wanted the car to be period correct and to reflect how it was originally ordered (it had an original (possibly?) window sticker. I tend to believe the window sticker because the car definitely didn't match it very well! Bottom line is I don't care. It will likely never be judged, but if it was, it would do "OK," at best. That's what I wanted, so that's what I restored to. It's for driving and so far, I love it! Build your car for what you want to do with it. Man are these cars fun to drive and I've never failed to get a thumbs up no matter where I've gone with it.

[Mark E.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Your story reminded me of this thread:
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...your-car-apart

[Thomas C.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions so far.

Mark, I figured my situation was not unique but it does help having that confirmation.

[Terry D.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

My advice would be sit down and figure out what YOU want out of the car and make a plan of attack. Would hate to build a car and when it was done wish I had done it my way. but that's just my old two cents!

[Thomas C.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Thanks for the advice but that is exactly my problem. I can't seem to decide what I want. My head says given the facts of the car, upgrade it with modern components but my heart says keep it as original as possible and use period correct parts. I feel guilty not building it as it was in 1960.

[Joseph L.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

You are making it sound like you want a solid axle Corvette with kingpin front end. My 1957 with properly aligned front end and new bias ply tires drives well. It gets 18 mpg on trips.
There are times I wish it had a newer intake, single 4 barrel, and headers, but when I open the hood, I am happy with what I see.

There are inexpensive ways to make the car look very original. You can easily find a 283/327 and have a nice drivetrain. We all have a collection of parts that were replaced and look great. These are available. If you want nostalgia, and that is what it sounds like, you may not be happy with a newer chassis. You can get a flight award with non-typical motor and paint, and have the fun of going through that process.

The last item you mentioned is making the car as valuable as possible. A restomod will be worth a lot the first year it is made, but it will depreciate. Period correct replacement parts will keep the car's value.

[Steven B.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Thomas, you have heard it before, build it like you want it but if you don't know what you want don't jump in to it. Spend some time listing what you want to do with it when it is finished. You can drive it and have it judged either way you build it. It would be easier to attend some events and look at each and talk with owners but that isn't going to happen soon. There are a lot of publications with pics and a lot of members to discuss it with who have each type car. Speak with specific owners and judges. You can determine if the car was FI on the fenders and engine compartment and can determine if it was solid or hydraulic lifter by the tach. Just take some time. That is what I did with my '57 purchased in '64 and my '77 ordered new and I took two completely different paths and am glad I did. Good Luck!

[Tom B.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

To me I would make it a period correct car that you can drive and enjoy . It costs a lot of money also to do do the resto mod update thing also then your also in a limited market if you decide to sell. A period correct car can be flight judged and many have got top flight with restoration motors. Bottom line is its your car and budget do what ever pleases you.

[Terry D.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

It can look period correct and still be enjoyable to drive. My 62 looks mostly stock, different color paint than factory and a 383 with a 5 speed. Put over 5000 miles a year on it with a couple of 475 mile one way trips. If suspension is in good shape and well lubricated you can drive it most anywhere. Steven gave you great advice, time to sit down and decide. I would get it back on the road and drive it for awhile, I think it will be easier to decide than.

[Thomas C.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Thanks again to all of the comments and suggestions. There was never any question that I wanted the car as stock as possible with regards to everything other than the suspension, steering, brakes and transmission. I think I am going to restore it as stock as possible here and get it back on the road with the drive train I have. I like Terry's advise to drive it again for a while and then see if I want to update any of these components.

[Tom M.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Took my '69 out today and realized there wasn't a single other old machine on the road. Too many cars are apart awaiting their time. The problem is so many ambitious restorations never get put back together so they end up scrap or parted. Here are 3 in my neighborhood alone, within 5 blocks...'67 Barracuda, '49 Jeep, '58 Porsche.
You drove it and loved it so get it going again and see what kind of miles your life can put on it nowadays. Then every winter take on a project - engine and 5 speed, suspension mod, interior refresh. The rolling restoration will never be done but I bet you'd enjoy it.

[Grant W.]

Re: Need help deciding how to restore a 1960

Thomas
You are not a spring chicken anymore like me at 60. Aches and pains.
I have a sunbeam tiger with 440 hp. 20 mins and I am done for a month. It is like a go cart on steroids.

Go for a drive in a fellow's 60 original vette and see how you like it. If you like the original ride and maybe a little more horse power then put in a 350 with more horse power or something like it and put period correct parts on it. It will retain its value and you don't spend 100k for a resto mod, You can still have it judged one day

You have restored the chassis etc. Maybe put better shocks?? for a better ride I don't know.
Go for a ride and drive in a factory car and then go for a ride in a resto mod see what you like

I had a 94 vette one time and then drove a 96 GS and traded the 94 for the GS as it rode better. C5 C6 C7 became even better handling cars. So my next one will be a C8
But then again I will keep my 68 and 69 and my two tigers and sell my 71 454 auto

So go for a ride and that will be your tell tale decision
Grant