65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

[Daniel D.]

I am a long time NCRS member---but not very active. I would like to try to evaluate a 65 that I have owned since 1976. Is there a Forum (is this the forum) that I can go to get advice? I am not sure, at this point, that it is technical advice that I am looking for---it is more like just what do I have to start with and what will it take to restore it. (It is more like help with a plan before I jump.) Thanks for any help you can offer. (It is a FI coupe with original engine [minus the unit], original trans, not sure if rear end is original.)

Best Regards,
Dan 1236

[Richard M.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Dan, Welcome to the TDB! Great to have you here.

This is absolutely the place for this kind of discussion. What you are attempting is extremely technical, and all of us here that can, will jump in and help you.

Planning a restoration is one of the most important phases of a technical project. The most important question you have to ask yourself is......What is my goal? Do I want a Top FLight candidate, or a driver, or something in between?

Please post some pictures of the '66. If you have trouble how to do this, check the FAQ page as it has a good "how-to" page. or just click this link.

That's been stored for a long time. Have you been collecting NOS parts all these years for it?

Good Luck
Rich

[Mike T.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Dan - Considering you've been a member since '76 and this is your first post, I guess it's safe to say you don't rush things ;-). Glad you made it. Check out the instructions Richard listed above on how to post pics, looking forward to seeing pics of your 65 Corvette.

[Joe R.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Dan,

Is the car complete? You might consider having it judged at a chapter meet. They will help you with what is good and what needs attention depending on your goals.

Joe

[Steven B.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Welcome Dan! Contact Vito for suggestions of folks near you who can look at your car and Joe's suggestion of judging before doing anything else is a good idea. We can learn alot from these cars before we restore them.

Region III:

Vito Cimilluca vitoc@comcast.net

Pennsylvania, Virginia, W.Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington D.C.

And try your '65 Judging Chair:
1965:

Elio Martin emartincpr@yahoo.com




Steve

[Daniel D.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Well, I have some pictures in a old camera (the pictures are 1 year old)---but, will have to find the camera. Getting new pictures will take a few weeks, because the car is stored a couple thousand miles away. (My questions here are part of the planning to move it from the north west.)
It is complete and ran when I put it in storage. Now to get it on the road, it would need a complete brake overhaul, rebuilt carburetor, and a radiator (plus a lot of other small items). (I have lubed the cylinders over the years.)
It would be hard to have it judged (wrong faded-out color, etc.).
The car was not expensive (for even back then) and it was hard to believe it still had it's engine, so it was an easy purchase. Then life got in the way. Anyway, I was able to keep all of the Vette stuff I had from back then.
Once I find or get new pictures I will up-date this thread. Thanks for all your help and encouragement.

Best Regards,
Dan

[George J.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Dan,
A long lost '65 fuelie coupe? You've got some of us sitting up wagging our tails. Can't wait to see the pictures. Best of luck.

George

[Daniel D.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Well, I have some pictures in a old camera (the pictures are 1 year old)---but, will have to find the camera. Getting new pictures will take a few weeks, because the car is stored a couple thousand miles away. (My questions here are part of the planning to move it from the north west.)
It is complete and ran when I put it in storage. Now to get it on the road, it would need a complete brake overhaul, rebuilt carburetor, and a radiator (plus a lot of other small items). (I have lubed the cylinders over the years.)
It would be hard to have it judged (wrong faded-out color, etc.).
The car was not expensive (for even back then) and it was hard to believe it still had it's engine, so it was an easy purchase. Then life got in the way. Anyway, I was able to keep all of the Vette stuff I had from back then.
Once I find or get new pictures I will up-date this thread. Thanks for all your help and encouragement.

Best Regards,
Dan

I did get to visit the 65, and have some pictures---but, I am not sure they will help much. (Keep in mind, it is stored a days travel away---so it will be difficult to take specific requested pictures.) When I said it is complete---I meant it is a whole car, but it will need a lot of 65 parts to restore it. One general question: Are reproduction parts acceptable? And, to what degree? This car has it's original engine, transmission (although I did not verify that this last inspection), and rear end. But, if it did not have it's original rear end, what would be acceptable in restoring it? How about exhaust manifolds, or radiator, etc.??

It is originally glen green with a white and black interior.

Not that I think it would qualify, but what can you do to a car an have it still be a "Survivor". (I think you can do body work and paint it?---but how much more?)

Best Regards,

AU mag VET 006.jpgAU mag VET 017.jpgAU mag VET 018.jpgAU mag VET 009.jpg

[Daniel D.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

A few more pictures.

[Mike T.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Dan - You 'really' know how to build the suspense, I had forgotten about this thread till now. Great pics. Most times I've seen Glen Green 65's, they usually have the Green or Black interiors. The White/Black interior is a nice contrast to Glen Green. So, what's the plan for this Coupe?

[Mike E.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Dan - You 'really' know how to build the suspense, I had forgotten about this thread till now. Great pics. Most times I've seen Glen Green 65's, they usually have the Green or Black interiors. The White/Black interior is a nice contrast to Glen Green. So, what's the plan for this Coupe?

Very nice! I changed my '65 Glen Green coupe bought in 1977 from black interior to white 36 years ago. It's a very attractive color combination, I will be changing back to black when I get to that point.

In regard to parts, I would try to restore any original parts that can be saved. Lots reproduction parts are manufactured off shore and many are of marginal quality. Looks like a great start to me.

Mike

[Joe R.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

Dan,

Wow, I love your Corvette. Glen Green is my favorite color for 65 and a WHITE interior really sets it off. Never seen a Glen Green with White. And an FI car to boot!
You should take this car to a Chapter Meet, meet some knowledgeable NCRS people and take notes.
Gonna need some body panels replaced but that's no big deal. My opinion means nothing BUT I would think this 65 FI Corvette deserves a frame off restoration since it has the original engine and drivetrain.
Keep us informed of your progress. You will get the best advise on this 65 FI Corvette right here on the NCRS Technical Forum.

JR

[Bob H.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

be very careful cleaning that pad off!!

[Mike M.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

pad analysis: "C" looks to be elevated above the rest of the machine assembly data stamping. neither of my 65 fi's with their original pads demonstrate this anomaly.mike

[Paul D.]

Re: 65 PROJECT? Is this the place to ask this question?

It may just be the reflection or camera angle, but it looks like a "grind out" or something under that "C". Whatever you do, no more scraping on that pad! Please get some paint remover and then maybe some naval jelly to clean it off. Scraping can do irreparable damage. Like Joe said, that car deserves to be restored. You say it needs a lot, and it does, but you are starting with a lot more than than most do. Enjoy the journey, Chip.