First time user - hello

[Gary P.]

Hi - this is my first time signing on to the discussion board. I have been a NCRS member (although not very active ) since the early 80's when I bought my 1964 - a Satin Silver Roadster, all number matching 327/300 four speed, black interior with the optional hardtop. Unfortunately, this being a orginal Quebec and Ontario Canada daily driver car ( have documentation from owner dating back to 1965, and from GM Canada confirming this was one of only 143 Roadsters shipped to Canada for the 1964 model year) - rust had it's way with the frame. Within a week of buying this car in May 1981, I began a complete disassembly frame off - and this is the way the car has remained to the present day - frame off, all body components removed and all parts still in their unrestored state. I did obtain a used replacement frame but that was as far as I got in the restortation - life, love, marriage, children, job then got in the way of any further restoration progress - here we are 27 years latter !
The questoin I have now in trying to get going on some rebuilding is how to tackle cleaning the underside of the body being that it is off the frame - sitting on a wood frame dolly. Any advise on how to tackle this ? Is it feasible to mount the body on a rotisserie - how would this be done without risking damange to the fragile front -rear clips that are unsupported ? Any help or advise would be appreciated.
A "novice" restorer.
Gary

[Richard M.]

Re: First time user - hello

Welcome Gary!!!!

Wow, that's a long time, but we all know how life can divert us from these things. Your question is a very good one, as I will be attempting the same on a 62 I'm restoring. I'm sure others will jump in with suggestions.

Rich

[Chuck S.]

Re: First time user - hello

...The questoin I have now in trying to get going on some rebuilding is how to tackle cleaning the underside of the body being that it is off the frame - sitting on a wood frame dolly. Any advise on how to tackle this ? Is it feasible to mount the body on a rotisserie - how would this be done without risking damange to the fragile front -rear clips that are unsupported ? Any help or advise would be appreciated...

Usually, when I start thinking of complicated ways to solve a simple problem, I have lost focus of the real issue. I end up undertaking time-consuming projects to fix something, when the dumb brute-force method would have been much quicker. At the end of the exercise, I have a mammoth mounument to a project gone wrong, and I'm asking myself, "What the devil was I thinking?".

I haven't tried it, but I'm pretty sure it's ultimately possible to put a Corvette body on a routisserie. I'm not sure it's a good idea...especially just for cleaning. Routisseries work really well for metal body cars that require floorboard or trunk bottom replacement.

In any event, if you have access to the underbody, cleaning the bottom of the subfloor is a relatively easy task compared to some restoration chores in my experience. Simple use of elbow grease with a soft polyethylene scraper, soaking and wiping off the gunk with mineral spirits, and a final wipe down with lacquer thinner is usually all that is required.

Luckily, I cleaned mine before the body was removed from the chassis and had easy access...this simply confirms the addage that a blind crow does find an acorn every now and then. If your body dolly design prevents you from accessing the underbody, that is the problem that has to be solved...a routisserie is extreme overkill for this task. Don't waste precious restoration enthusiasm on non-productive work.

Keep the faith, Gary...it's good to see you here.

[David D.]

Re: First time user - hello

Nice to have you here Gary...

I've owned my '64 about the same length of time, drove her very little and have had her on blocks for last 10 years....now I am too will be attempting the same on my car.

I, like Richard, hope that some others will jump in with suggestions.

David

[Joel F.]

Re: First time user - hello

Hi Gary,

Do you plan on doing a repaint after cleaning the underside? If so, and as crazy as this sounds, some people in a local Corvette club simply lift them off, set them on their sides (on a relatively soft surface such as grass, or some old tires), and have at it. See the pics for proof! I am not sure if this is the best idea in the world, but these bodies are a lot stronger than we sometimes give them credit for. If they were truly that fragile then a single accident would mean the end for most Corvettes.

As an aside, I find it very encouraging that long time members such as yourself are starting to use the new message board for the first time. This is a strong compliment for Rob and the others who have invested so much time and effort in the implementation.

All the best,
Joel