New Member - Corvette for Dad

[285ferrari]

My Dad has wanted a 1982 Corvette for at least 25 yrs. He has talked about buying one forever. He has always wanted an 82 because it was the last year of that body style. I remember when I was first getting into cars he would talk about them. After he and my Mom divorced a few years ago, he has been fairly strapped for cash. He spent over 30 yrs as a police officer and now works full time with our local government in the Planning/Zoning section. Recently he re-married and bought a fixer upper house that he has slowly been renovating with his new wife and that is where most of his money goes. Everytime he finds a Corvette to buy he gets really excited, but knows he can't really afford a "play" car. Seems that most in decent shape are going for around $10K up to $20K for a really nice one.

Recently I was talking to a friend who told me of a 82 Corvette that he knew was for sale. The guy's wife wants him to sell it because he never drives it, so I made a phone call. Went to look at it the other day. Needs paint, new seat covers, carpet and some small stuff. Runs pretty good and the body is in great shape. It is def. a car that can be driven and enjoyed while it is being fixed up. Made the guy an offer and he accepted it. Just picked it up yesterday morning and brought it home. Going to get the title, tags, etc in my Dad's name and give it to him for Christmas. Can't wait to see the look on his face when he see's it....

Been searching for some answers about the car, but not sure how to search correctly, so I may have some questions for you experts out there.

 

[Yoda]

285ferrari Welcome to the Corvette Action Center..

What a GREAT thing you are doing...

As for looking or searching for items, there really isn't any good way to say find a thread in the C3 Forum for Upholstery, soo if you go up to the "Advanced Search" feature (click on the words). When the search page comes up type Upholstery in the Keyword(s) box then hit the "Search Now" button...

What comes up is all the Upholstery related threads. You have to glean them for a C3 or generation you are looking for. Same goes for Windshield Wipers, by typing Windshield Wiper into "Keyword(s)" Box then the Search now button.. Like the search for Upholstery you will need to sort out the threads to find the ones from the C3 Forums for your Dad's 1982 Corvette

Or just ask and someone around here we have a lot of knowledgeable members and most are more than willing to share their knowledge.

285ferrari ... good things happen to Good People, and you and your dad seem to fill that bill

Bud

 

[jrose7004]

What a great thing for a son to do for his father. I'll bet the look on his face will say it all!

 

[djsroknrol]

WOW!...I know how thrilled he will be; my two oldest children went in on my dream car and this has been the most exciting year of car driving in my life.

That's how I'm enjoying my 'vette as well...fixing it while I drive it and enjoy it.

BTW, welcome to CAC....

 

[XLR8]

Very cool!
You'll want someone to have a camera ready when you surprise dad with this Christmas present. He sounds like a man who always put others and their needs first and considered his responsibilities to family above anything else. Among his many rewards is a son that cares deeply for him and wants to help him realize a longtime dream.

Do another good thing for him and give him the web address for our site. He'll be among some of the best Corvette people on the web and have a wealth of knowledge and experience at his fingertips.

Welcome to the
Jane Ann

 

[285ferrari]

Very cool!
You'll want someone to have a camera ready when you surprise dad with this Christmas present. He sounds like a man who always put others and their needs first and considered his responsibilities to family above anything else. Among his many rewards is a son that cares deeply for him and wants to help him realize a longtime dream.

Do another good thing for him and give him the web address for our site. He'll be among some of the best Corvette people on the web and have a wealth of knowledge and experience at his fingertips.

Welcome to the
Jane Ann

I will certainly video and take some pics of the surprise, I have it all planned out and his wife knows also. I will make sure he gets registered on here also after I give it to him...

 

[285ferrari]

First question - The rear spoiler on the car at the top has some low spots, like a few indention's in it. Appears that end cap piece is plastic and not fiberglass, is this normal? Seems to sag in a few spots... If I run my hand from one side to the other across it, it is not flat it dips down a few spots

 

[Dad]

Welcome to CAC.

Just so you know, we all get a few wrinkles in our rear spoiler after 30.........

 

[285ferrari]

Welcome to CAC.

Just so you know, we all get a few wrinkles in our rear spoiler after 30.........

I figured it may be just because of age---I remember when I had a Mustang 5.0 back in the day, they had a common problem with the rear plastic bumper sagging in the middle where the tag is, common problem. I had a bodyshop go in and reinforce and straightened it with a metal frame up on the inside before I had it painted.

Any fix for it? Do guys normally just paint the car as is with the spolier like that?

 

[bill81vette]

What a fabulous present,Pictures are definitely required of his expression on Christmas morning!!!!!
The front and rear bumpers are made of urethane...
they were made that way for very low speed impacts.
Don't worry about painting the car,just get it shined up and I'm sure it will look great!!!!

 

[GS Diva]

Can't wait to see the pictures of this presentation!!! Great story!!

Elaine

 

[285ferrari]

Finally got ahold of a buddy who is a great mechanic. Going to take the car to him this week and have him replace any hose, fitting, gasket, clamp, etc that he see's is dryrotted or damaged looking. Change all the fluids and pull the trans. Seems like the trans is slipping pretty bad when I try to accelerate. Not sure if it's the convertor or what. Also found a small antifreeze leak, I'm sure it is a hose, but can't tell where it is coming from til we put it on a lift. Wanna get it running really nice before giving it to Dad. Then my Dad can take his time and fix up the interior, replace weatherstripping and save some money down the road to get it painted.

 

[Mac]

I hope my son treats me this good when I retire!! Mind you, I don't intend to go to 30 years since our pension plan allows me to escape at 25 years...

-Mac

 

[Toms007]

How cool is that? You are to be commended on your efforts. Like Mac, I wish my kids would have given me a present like that.

Not sure about the bumper/spoiler, but I know it's common to have "waves" in those urethane pieces, my 94 had them, and my 2001 have them somewhat.

Please post that video when you get it done. I can't wait to see his face. May not be exactly like this but I'll bet it is similar.

My Dad's car. [VIDEO]

 

[Mac]

I'm not retired yet so I still stand a chance...

-Mac

 

[smokestack]

Nice vid you found there Toms01.

 

[geekinavette]

This is SO COOL! What a fabulous thing to do for dear 'ol dad! (have to make sure to show my son this thread! )

As for the rear spoiler...honestly if I were in your dad's shoes I wouldn't care less about a little wrinkly polyurethane. Instead, knowing what I know about the Crossfire, I would find someone that KNOWS this system (most mechanics don't...which is not to say anything bad about most mechanics, it is just a very rare system) and make sure it is in good shape. That engine can be the number one source of frustration to '82 and '84 owners, eliminating as much of that as you can before giving it to him will be more of a gift than you probably realize right now. There is a forum here specific to the Crossfire system (Crossfire Injection Mine I think?)...poke and prod around there, and if something isn't listed do not hesitate to post a question, this is by far the most helpful bunch of folks you will find...anywhere.

Wow this really just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. There simply are not enough good people like this in the world. CAN'T WAIT to see the Xmas presentation! Please PLEASE document the crap out of that so we can see it!

Bill

 

[285ferrari]

Car is leaking a bit of antifreeze from under the passenger door area. Pulled the two heater hoses off today and did not see any cracks or holes. Pulled the passenger floorboard carpet back and could see some wetness thru the firewall around the heater core. So I guess that is what is leaking. Not looking forward to replacing that.... I am guessing from other cars I have dealt with in the past that the dash, etc has to come out.... Other than those two hoses and the heater core, anything else I should go ahead and replace while I am in there? Looks like I need the below parts so far....

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...eal-kit-1978-1982.html?crosssellet_Cross_Sell

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...ning-small-block-and-big-block-1968-1982.html

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-heater-core-1978-1982.html

 

[Yoda]

I did an advanced search "Heater Core Replacement" and came up with over 3 pages of threads, I picked these from the first page as I found them maybe helpful the first one is actually from a link in a thread on 1982 Heater Core Replacement... it is a very good "Instructional with Pictures and this is a from a thread with a good discussion, information and suggestions

Good Luck

Bud

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

Sweet ride! Your one hell of a son! Just in case you don't know the regular part vendors, the top sites that come to mind are http://www.zip-corvette.com/GroupDetails/GroupLanding1.aspx?gid={6702fd06-3c4e-4e43-9219-237622abe46f}&SearchType=_GROUP_SEARCH&GroupName=68-82& , http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb...rect)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=268247822 , Willcox Corvette, Inc. - Parts, Restoration, Help - "When you're not the biggest, You try harder" , Corvette Parts & Accessories from Mid America Motorworks, 866-350-4540


Welcome to the CAC! Btw a couple of those sites give a forum discount