If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

[D S.]

.....exactly like they rolled out of the assembly plant and picked up from the dealership would we be happy with them and not change a thing?

[Kevin M.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

Of course not, these cars needed service for defects in workmanship and materials just like today. The fact that TSBs fill books shows us that these cars had problems each model year. I've read stories over the years of original owners problems with new cars that would have failed the Ops test let alone PV test. That why I always woundered why PV was so strict, as for changeing them just look at Roy's example of not letting stock get in his way just like when the accesories were new.

KM

[Pat M.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

I could accept and be happy with everything except subpar function. While subpar workmanship is part of the purity of restoration, my car must now operate correctly and as intended, whether or not it did so when new.

[Edward B.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

The '59 that I got new that year required constant attention. However, that being said I would love to have another chance at a C1 with 4 or 5 miles on it fresh from the factory. You can bet I would take much better care of it this time around.

[William C.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

Let's see, I've owned a new '74, new 84, new 85, and new '87, all full option cars, and I can state that as delivered, they all worked correctly. I also own a Crossed Flags '89 that I had to make work as delivered to pass the PV, and it was just one of the little hurdles along the way. The PV is as much a test of ownership mettle as it is of the car.

[Roy B.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

I restored or reconditioned my 55 to factory correctness even using the tar frame paint , but then added GM and a few other accessories to make it more comfortable. Because I also pull a tear drop trailer I added a booster to get power brakes to help the stopping power with out changing the stock brakes.
I've driven over 100K miles in 30 years with just miner repairs , when we drove to NY from Ca. People asked use how we got the Corvette here! DA! We drove it like what do you think people drove back in the 50's.
PS and it dint need Constant repairs just Maintenance

[D S.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

But isn't it the point to bring our Corvettes to original as-new condition or over-restore them to what we believe to be our "concept" of original condition?

[Roy B.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

I look at it this way

1. Go NCRS or
2. Go what makes you happy

That's it in my mind , one or the other period.

[Joel F.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

I look at it this way

1. Go NCRS or
2. Go what makes you happy

That's it in my mind , one or the other period.

Roy,

I do not think those two options are mutually exclusive. There are a lot of people who, by going the NCRS way, are also doing what makes them happy.

Joel

[Roy B.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

Roy,

I do not think those two options are mutually exclusive. There are a lot of people who, by going the NCRS way, are also doing what makes them happy.

Joel

That's what I just "SAID" do what makes you happy GO NCRS or DONT!
I've done both , my 55 got a top flight so it must be close to NCRS Requirements , but then I added accessories and made some changes ( just look at the 55) and I take the hit lossing points.. So I'm happy by going both ways.

I hope you understand what I'm saying not mocking NCRS!

[Bill W.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

.....exactly like they rolled out of the assembly plant and picked up from the dealership would we be happy with them and not change a thing?

I ordered my 1966 coupe, when I picked it up at the dealership the clutch was so far out of adjustment I had a mechanic correct it before I left the dealership. It rained on the way home, car leaked. I kept it for about a week while making a list of items I wanted corrected, then returned it to the dealer who kept it about ten days fixing most of the items.
I now have 120K miles on it and am about 3/4 through a frame off restoration. When I finish (is this possible!) my work the car will operate as designed and appear as Zora wanted, but the quality of workmanship will be an order of magnitude above what the factory did. I won't enter it for NCRS flight judging, but it will do a "Founders Award". So, my answer to your question is "No". Bill

[Steven B.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

I've discovered that there is a distinct set of issues. To get the car perfect in looks during a restoration of, lets say, a C1, you would get dinged at judging for over-restoring it. Overaggressive weatherstripping glue at the doors, doors and hoods that don't line up perfectly. Just the nature of the car's construction off the assembly line. So do you make it "less than perfect" to meet judging or make it perfect to meet your own standards of perfection? I don't know how these cars compared when new, to say the VW bug or even the T-birds, but the vettes had the minor problems off the line and we are then required to not over-restore. Kind of goes against the restorer in all of us-you wouldn't renovate a house and leave the floor out of level or the cabinets lopsided because that was how they did it 50 years ago, but then again, carpenters usually didn't work without a level. But we need to step back and approach the restoration, provided you do it per ncrs JG specs, in order to get the most points. Or live with the over-restoration and take a hit on some points. It is all in the eye of the owner. Should I or shouldn't I. Did all the cars at the Pebble Beach Concourse de elegance look that way when new? I don't know, but would love to find out from those who do.

[John L.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

I traded in my 75 for my "New" 79, right off the showroom floor. Never drove it before tradeing for it. When I went to start it ...it wouldn't. Had to take a battery out of a Impalla setting besides it to get it to start to get it out of the showroom. I took it back the next day W/ 23 miles on it to get 2 lifters replaced, they were dead. The front bumper was off by 1/2" on the right side, lousey paint on the lower rear qtr. panels.
When I finish restoration, the front bumper will still be off 1/2" as it will be "as delivered by the dealer"
Gotta love these cars!

[Warren F.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

.....exactly like they rolled out of the assembly plant and picked up from the dealership would we be happy with them and not change a thing?

Scott,

I would be happy, because they would not be any better in quality or workmanship than the '70 Dodge Challenger RT/SE I had, or the '69 Camaro SS/RS convertible I had, or the '70 Javelin SST I had.

[Larry S.]

Re: If we were to restore our Corvettes.....

My new '66 had to be the only Corvette that wouldn't go over 75 mph; any faster than that, it jumped timing. The dealer worked on that problem for several months; when he said (for the umpteenth time) that it was finally fixed, I didn't even ask him what the problem was since I knew I'd be back. That time. though, it was fixed, and I never asked him what was wrong.

The soft top leaked like a sieve--3-4" inches of water in the foot wells every time it rained--most all of it coming in at the header bow. Driving in the rain caused a waterfall of rain to drip on the driver's and passenger's legs and seats. Horns quit blowing, voltage regulator was defective, engine over-heated from day one (auto, A/C), tires couldn't be balanced, etc. A true 'lemon' by today's standards. I sold it ater 18 months because it was alway in the repair shop. It was a beautiful car to look at, though!

So, no, I wouldn't find original build quality satisfactory.