1954 restoration

[Randy G.]

Short of renting someones '54 and spending an hour going over it with a video camera is there a good source for pictures, photos, videos, etc., to help me along? I've been to a lot of websites looking at pictures, like Russ' site, but I need more!

Anyone have a top flight or original '54 in the Orange County, California area?

RG

[Terry D.]

Re: 1954 restoration

Randy
You don't state if you own any books, such Service Manual, Judging Manual, or Assembly Guide. If you don't then the first stop is the NCRS store, look around I'm sure you find what you need. The three I mentioned are a basic must if you are restoring a Corvette. After that you can ask specific questions on this forum and lots of people will help out.
Terry

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 restoration

Hi Terry:

I should have mentioned I have most of the usual suspects. Noland Adams book, NCRS judging guide, service manual, GM assembly manual, chassis restoration guide.

I guess what I need is to find an original or correct car that I can stick a video camera up under the dash and other areas where the casual photographer never goes. My other option is to go to Corvette Mikes and act like I want to buy the '54 he has for sale (I would be honest and tell them why I was there) and spend about 20 minutes taking pictures and looking it over. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, but...

This has been a big help:

http://www.earlycorvettes.com/corvettesite/specialcars/54vin3300/content/index.html

RG

[Jim L.]

Re: 1954 restoration

http://www.earlycorvettes.com/corvettesite/specialcars/54vin3300/content/index.html

RG

Randy, that's my car. Tell me what pictures you want and I'll be happy to email them to you.

Regards,
Jim

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 restoration

Randy, that's my car. Tell me what pictures you want and I'll be happy to email them to you.

Regards,
Jim

Hi Jim:

I appreciate the offer. I actually took about 70 pictures (thank goodness for memory cards instead of 35MM film) today of a top flight car locally. What are your plans for #3300? Mine is #4400.

Randy

[Rob M.]

Re: 1954 restoration

I have nr. 2694 still unrestored... see http://www.c1registry.com/index.php?...d=19&order=asc. It has been in a barn the last 20-25 years so it should be quite original...

I could take the needed pics if you want...

regards,
Rob.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1954 restoration

Hi Jim:

I appreciate the offer. I actually took about 70 pictures (thank goodness for memory cards instead of 35MM film) today of a top flight car locally. What are your plans for #3300? Mine is #4400.

Randy

My plans are to drive and enjoy the car for as long as I can. It will never be restored while I'm the custodian.

The car belonged to my Dad, who was the second owner. When he bought it ~40 years ago, it looked just like it does today. He had a lot of fun with it so I'm preserving it as he enjoyed it out of respect for his memory.

It's in a state of "arrested decay", if you will. I fix what breaks but do nothing more.

And just as it is, it's a hoot to drive.

In 1998, after doing little more than putting on fresh hoses, a new fan belt, a new thermostat, and new brake hoses, my son (a fresh high school graduate at the time), and a couple of NCRS friends, and I drove the car from my Dad's home in Georgia out to my home in California. It was a memorable experience.

We made this picture while stopped in Wyoming (note the front plate "RUN 235", a random but appropriate plate, no?):



Jim