Great forum, still can't believe how much knowledge you all have to share. Thanks. Have always wanted to resto a mid year (as a driver) and almost gave up with the prices skyrocketing. Planning to start in 1 - 2 years and working now on education. Imagine my excitement when I read August Corvette Enthusiast and saw in the CPI price guide article that 64 or 65 vert in "fair" condition goes for 17 - 18,000. "Fair" is defined as fully functional an able to be licensed and driven.
Does this sound realistic to you? If so, where do I find these cars? Between all the trader books, web, and other pubs, I can't dind anything for this range. I know I have to get the word out too, but heck if I can find one for this price range I'll buy two!!
Here's the basic plan.
1. Continue my education (Bloomington classes, reading, sites like this)
2. Purchase a mid year NOM car.
3. Plan for 1 year rebuild (then triple time estimate). Do some work myself, but swallow my pride on the more difficult stuff (trailing arms for example)
4. When done it will be 63 or 64 (65 - 67 if price permits), front disks added, crate or similar motor, 5 sp if it fits the budget. after that, it's a list of details stuff depending on the condition of the car. Just focusing on 63 or 64 because of price - and since I'm not concerned about future value - just driving value.
Second ? Any recommendations on good mechanical shops and paint shops in, or near St. Louis? ONly one I know of here is Just Corvettes and I haven't checked out their reputaion yet.
Thanks again for the great responses. Will meet you all at a show someday - you'll know me by the squealing tires and huge grin (I'll be one of about 100 similar folks you can pick from)
Mark
Does this sound realistic to you? If so, where do I find these cars? Between all the trader books, web, and other pubs, I can't dind anything for this range. I know I have to get the word out too, but heck if I can find one for this price range I'll buy two!!
Here's the basic plan.
1. Continue my education (Bloomington classes, reading, sites like this)
2. Purchase a mid year NOM car.
3. Plan for 1 year rebuild (then triple time estimate). Do some work myself, but swallow my pride on the more difficult stuff (trailing arms for example)
4. When done it will be 63 or 64 (65 - 67 if price permits), front disks added, crate or similar motor, 5 sp if it fits the budget. after that, it's a list of details stuff depending on the condition of the car. Just focusing on 63 or 64 because of price - and since I'm not concerned about future value - just driving value.
Second ? Any recommendations on good mechanical shops and paint shops in, or near St. Louis? ONly one I know of here is Just Corvettes and I haven't checked out their reputaion yet.
Thanks again for the great responses. Will meet you all at a show someday - you'll know me by the squealing tires and huge grin (I'll be one of about 100 similar folks you can pick from)
Mark