New NCRS Member

[Clark K.]

Hello, my name is Clark Kirby and I live in Arlington, Texas. I recently joined NCRS because I want to preserve my historic piece of automotive art. later this year, I will be seeking a judgement on my Corvette in order to make it better.

Last November, I bought a very nice numbers matching, low mileage Red/red L76 with A/C '65 Coupe from Pro Team. Since this is my very first used car and my first Corvette, I will be needing a lot of advice. I have found that when a previous owner (NOT Pro Team) restored the car, it appears that he/she kept the original rubber door seals, original rubber brake hoses, and the original suspension bushings. Perhaps this unknown person simply wanted to keep the car "original". But, if this was the case at the time, why "over-restore" it by repainting the car, not in acrylic lacquer, but in a base/clear coat finish? Why use a modern battery, not a repro "tar top"? I look forward to picking you experts' brains in the near future! As a perfectionist (A/R), this seems the perfect club for me! -Clark

[Jack H.]

Re: New NCRS Member

First, welcome to NCRS!

On the issue of why various deviations from factory original happen, different reasons affect different issues. On paint, first it's difficult if not impossible to find 100% correct/original lacquer. Even those manufacturers who made the original paint have changed the blends they offer today to meet various legal concerns (ban against lead in paint, ozone friendly changes to the paint's vehicle composition, Etc.).

Then, there are EPA regulations on actually using/shooting the paint that govern its escape to the atmosphere as well as to waste water. Bottom line, few are actually shooting/using lacquer anymore and conformance to code can be prohibitively expensive in the US today.

Next, there's the issue of longevity and appearance. Painters are pretty familiar with base coat/clear coat finishes using enamel, urethane and other non-lacquer paints. They have pride in workmanship and want to produce a 'signature' job.

Bottom line they know how to do this and produce a concourse d'elegance job with contemporary paints and a BC/CC approach. But, few shops really understand our neck of the woods--a factory concours paint/body job.

They can't bring themselves to swallow their pride and deliver a car with 'inferior' lacquer paint, thin and sloopily applied coats and factory original orange peel! Plus, even if they could, very few are equipped with the necessary atmospheric and waste water recovery facilities to do the job legally.

Bottom line, customers get told a simplified version of the truth, "It's not legal to shoot lacquer anymore." That's MUCH easier than going through the shaggy dog story I just did! But, the key impediment is their lack of experience in shooting lacquer + their lack of the certified containment facilities to do so legally...

The battery issue is another story altogether. But, these things (differences) ARE out there and there's generally a good reason for why they exist that boils down to current law, lack of original materials and/or the shear cost of faithfully re-creating the original item(s)...

[Joel F.]

Re: New NCRS Member

Welcome aboard Clark, sounds like a neat car. One can never tell why a person decides to restore one aspect of a car and not another.

[Mark K.]

Re: New NCRS Member

I had a repro battery in my 67 for judging for a number of years. But since I didn't plan on have the car judged for a while, I bought a regular GM battery (the next time I needed one) because they were less expensive. If I want to get the car judged again, a repro battery is an easy thing to change (unlike a paint job).

By the way, does the NCRS give a prize to the 50,000th member?!?

[Joe R.]

Re: New NCRS Member

Clark,

Welcome to the NCRS. Here's a link to a thread on batteries you may find helpful:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ttery&uid=5828

Joe

[Alan S.]

Re: New NCRS Member

Hi Clark,
I just want to say I'm pleased you've joined the NCRS and have found the Discussion Board.
Your car certainly sounds like a nice Corvette!
Regards,
Alan

[Don H.]

Re: New NCRS Member

Welcome! My un-biased opinion is your car sounds almost perfect (I have a red/red '65 coupe w/air). Don H.

[Clark K.]

Re: New NCRS Member

Thanks for the information about the batteries. Some have experienced problems while some have experienced good service with the repro tar tops. That is strange. Perhaps I should buy a tar-top and only use it for shows, including NCRS judging. My car is strange. The unknown person who restored it in 2005 kept the original suspension bushings and mounted 7.75 x 15 bias ply tires on the knock-off wheels, but over-restored the paint. Go figure.

My car has the Z01 "Comfort & Convenience Group" option. I know that this added the inboard back-up lamps and day/night rearview mirror. But, did it add any lighting, such as for the glove box or passenger side footwell? My car has both lit. I am not familiar with what was standard on Corvettes. The option cost only $16.15 so it couldn't have added much. -Clark

[Mark F.]

Re: New NCRS Member

Hey Clark,

Welcome to the NCRS!

In 1995, I purchased a completely original 365 hp factory air roadster, which I owned until 2003, when I stupidly sold it a weak moment. It was a loaded car with windows, leather and all the usual stuff. I have an extensive digital archive of my old car and every other 365 A/C car I could find if you ever need help.

Cheers,

[Grant M.]

Re: New NCRS Member

Clark,

Welcome to NCRS and the TDB!

A glove box light and footwell lighting (known as 'courtesy lamps') were standard equipment on C2 Corvettes. I'm not familiar with the ZO1 option, but I suspect the back-up lights and day/night mirror may have been all you got for your $16.15 back then.

grant

[Jack H.]

Re: New NCRS Member

ZO1 provide ONLY the backup lamps and interior day/nite mirror features...