Where to start?

[Tom P.]

I just bought a '73, one owner, 148,000 mile Stingray. It's all original (except for the shift knob) and needs a lot of work, where do I start? I'll probably do a body-off restoration, and could use a some advice on where to go, or not to go, for parts?

[Bob H.]

Re: Where to start?

Hi Tom. Congrats!

What are your plans for the car? restore to drive or be judged? What options are on the car, engine, trans, power, air, conv or T-top? Original engine?

These days, it is very easy to get way upside down in a car like that, especially talking a body off resto. Once done, you probably would never drive it.

I personally would start with the mechanicals, brakes, fluids, etc making sure it was safe and run ok. I would then make it cosmetically pleasing and then drive the wheels off it and enjoy it.

Bob

[William C.]

Re: Where to start?

Bob has it right, what do you want to do, and is that in line with the $$ you are willing to spend, Way to easy to get in over your head without a clear understainding of where you want to go, and how much it costs to get there.

[Tom P.]

Re: Where to start?

Bob, William,

I do want to drive it, probably not a lot, and I don't want to get upside down it either. I want to keep the car as original as I can afford, without getting too carried away. I probably won't have it judged.

It's a T-top coupe, 350, luggage rack and air-conditioning are the only options; It has power-nothing. It is original engine, tranny and rear-end. It has been repainted (not very well) twice in it's lifetime.

If I don't restore to NCRS standards, but still want to be as original as possible (maybe different exhaust) where do you go for parts? Are there definite parts suppliers to stay away from?

Tom

[Tom H.]

Re: Where to start?

Hi Tom !!!

Welcome to the NCRS !!!! Welcome to the 73 family too. I have one as well. Had several of them.

First thing is get rid of that un original shift knob !!

You will get lots of good advise here. Enjoy the car and do a days research on parts. Many vendors carry exhaust parts. Also your local shop that does your exhaust work might even have some good contacts and experience with good systems they've had good luck with.

Grab a couple catalogs from some of the major parts vendors and enjoy !!!

[Jack H.]

Re: Where to start?

I suggest that you do NOTHING and go have the car judged 'as is'. There are different award/recognition categories within NCRS and, as others have said, you need to develop a 'game plan' (end objective) for both you and the car BEFORE you begin buying parts and executing 'surgery'...

Basically, NCRS recognizes cars in two categories: (1) restored and (2) un-restored. Once you start down the path of restoring a car, you essentially shut the door for all time to pursuing award/recognition in the un-restored category.

Then, in the restored category, there are different levels of 'seriousness'. Do you simply want a decent Flight Judging outcome? If so, at what level (Chapter, Regional, National...all three)? Last, if you're REALLY serious with the restoration, maybe you want to set your sights on the Mark of Excellence award. But, that's an animal of a different color altogether (be prepared to climb Mt. Everest!).

Finally, there are other award/recognition categories targeted at those who simply want a clean + rather decent restored car AND desire to drive/use the vehicle. In this vein, you'd be aiming at the NCRS Founders Award.

Bottom line, buy the NCRS Judging Reference Manual (currently awaiting release of a revised edition) and study/read the different NCRS awards that are available for a given car/owner. You do NOT want to paint yourself into a corner that you didn't intend to 'visit' in the first place!!!

This is where doing nothing and going out to have the car judged 'as is' can help you focus and define your end objective BEFORE you start implementing change(s) to 'baby'...

[Kenneth H.]

Re: Where to start?

Tom,

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to NCRS. The first thing that I'd do is take it to a reputable and competent mechanic and get a thorough safety and operational inspection. Have all of the identified issues corrected and then drive it. There's no rush to restore it and this will give you time to decide what you want to do first.

When I purchased my '70 LT1 a few years back, I had it inspected and made the necessary repairs, then started collecting and installing the "correct" parts that had been changed out over time. I started with the mechanicals (so far an alternator, water pump, belts and hoses, ignition shielding, A.I.R system, etc.) and once done I'll decide what to do next. It's been a lot of fun so far (that's what hobbies are about, right?) and the members on this site have always been extremely helpful and free with their advice.

Thanks.

[Paul J.]

Re: Where to start?

Tom,

You've gotten some good advice. With what you've told us, I would first pull the motor and have it rebuilt (I'm assuming that it is original and not recently rebuilt). While it's out you can freshen up the engine bay. I would then strip the car and have it painted. Finally, I would address any issues in the interior. In between, I would clean and detail the underside and other areas. With this approach, you can do the work in the winter and keep the car drivable during the season. This will also spread out the costs over time allowing the appreciation of the car to (hopefully) keep up with your investments. You can also do this over several years and still keep the car on the road.

Now that I've said this I'll be honest and tell you that I would do a frame-off restoration, but that's just me and I don't think that this level of restoration is what you want.

Remember that when you find any parts that need replacing, look very hard at having them reconditioned. If you don't use them they are still worth money, even if non-functional.

Have fun and enjoy the car.

Paul

PS With respect to vendors, Driveline lists some and the archives are full of comments, both good and bad, about your fellow members experiences.

[Gary R.]

Re: Where to start?

Sounds like a nice car. I just finished up a 73 for a guy,did all his driveline. We came close to a 73 last month but ended up with another 75.

I do a lot of rebuilding for guys,( this is NOT a sales pitch). The things we talk about are how the owner will drive the car. With the availability to build engines into the 500-1000hp range these days, I need to know this to recommend a build on the diff and IRS. A car running 300hp will not need some of the special attention one of the 500+ will.

So that is what I recommend, sit down and think about what you really want to do with it. Then you can start to figure costs to see if that is in line with your thinking.

If I can help with some advice feel free to contact me or see me at Carlisle in 2 weeks.

Good luck.