Zora's 1974 Corvette

[Steven B.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Zora's car is once again in the shop at the NCM. It will not get a complete restoration, but the plan is to remove the body and do some work on the frame. The engine is due to be sent out to be rebuilt. I work at the museum and will keep you updated as work progresses.

Thanks Roger! Can you tell us what the trim tag shows or a picture? Thanks again, Steve. IIRC the interior is dark blue or am I imagining?

[Roger H.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

IMG_9288.jpgIMG_9289.jpgThe interior is black. Here are the pictures of the VIN and the trim tag. Note the info added to the trim tag by hand. "75 paint code 42'" which refers to bright green.

[Tim G.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Thank you for posting the trim tag and VIN tag.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Zora & Elfie parked their 74 next to me At the Holaday Inn in Bloomington the last time he was there. They stayed below us. He said he drove the Corvette a lot. Teased him about the 454 as he was a SB guy. Said he likes ze torque.

[Terry M.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Roger,
Thank you for the chat at the Museum. I did have a brief exchange with your brother Don on Friday, but the other events that brought me to Bowling Green were unfolding at the time so our exchange was all too brief.

For others reading this thread; Don is involved in the repairs to Zora's car.

I don't have access to the later model Technical Information & Judging Guide for 1974 or 1975, but it would be in the best interest of the car to get that.

According to the Black Book 1974 color 17 (originally stamped on the trim tag) is Corvette Gray. As I told you the L is for Lower, and my best guess is that they were preparing the trim Tags for the two-tone cars where L=Lower and U=Upper.

As for the scribed nomenclature the 1975 color 42=Bright Green; as you noted in your earlier post. That would explain that color overspray found on the car.

The mystery still is where and when (and perhaps even - why) these many colors (including the present blue shades) were applied to the car.

As to raising/removing the body -- that is necessary to replace the rusted brake and fuel lines on the chassis without splicing those lines.

I hope as the overspray and other details are uncovered quality documentation is made for the files on that car. It is an artifact and the details should be recorded. Perhaps some day in the future the details of the many coats of paint will be revealed and having the details recorded and preserved will be important.

I hope the shop that is tasked with the engine work understands the intricacies of preserving the numbers on the engine and that a quality record of the engine numbers and dates has been made before the engine is sent out. An uninformed machine shop can irreparably damage the engine numbers if they are not used to dealing with Corvette engines. If, as has been said, the Chevrolet engine lab "tuned" that engine there may be some unique internal components as well as fuel delivery system components. A record of those also should be made and preserved.

If anyone at the Museum wishes me to come and provide detailed advice at a time when I can offer my undivided attention and other events do not provide a distraction I would be pleased to do so.

[Terry M.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Zora & Elfie parked their 74 next to me At the Holaday Inn in Bloomington the last time he was there. They stayed below us. He said he drove the Corvette a lot. Teased him about the 454 as he was a SB guy. Said he likes ze torque.

Ken
Do you recall the year that was and the color of the car?

[Jack M.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

I hope the shop that is tasked with the engine work understands the intricacies of preserving the numbers on the engine and that a quality record of the engine numbers and dates has been made before the engine is sent out. An uninformed machine shop can irreparably damage the engine numbers if they are not used to dealing with Corvette engines.

If the engine hasn't already been sent out... an installed reminder to protect the pad (as seen below), might be helpful:
VIN Pad Protector.jpg

[Owen L.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

If the engine hasn't already been sent out... an installed reminder to protect the pad (as seen below), might be helpful:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]124043[/ATTACH]

Jack, that metal reminder shield over the pad is a great idea. I'm sending my engine off soon and while I know the machinist/builder understands the value of the stamp, I think I'll put a shield on mine just to reinforce the idea how important this is.

[Owen L.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

I assume the car's history is well-documented. Was it in Zora's & Elfi's possession until her death?

[Roger H.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Terry,
It was an honor to meet you and spend some time together at the museum. I will pass your suggestions along to the people in charge of the preservation of Zora's car. I will also relay your offer of help to the administration staff. My brother assures me that the work done so far has been well documented. I'll see that a copy of the 1974-75 TIM&JG is available for use in the shop. Roger

[Jack M.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Jack, that metal reminder shield over the pad is a great idea. I'm sending my engine off soon and while I know the machinist/builder understands the value of the stamp, I think I'll put a shield on mine just to reinforce the idea how important this is.

Although I've had similar ideas for any future engine rebuild, those specific images came from a recent BaT auction.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette

Let me dig out my pictures.