'73 L82/M21 Need resto tips...

[stolenvette]

Hi all, I just purchased a 1973 L82 coupe. I was able to recover the Tank Sticker, and verified that the car currently has what it was built with. Also verified the M21. Not sure how many L82's had the M21.

The car needs total restoration. Has all original equipment and the frame is solid. The car was sitting under a pine tree in a driveway for 9 years, which caused problems for the leaky weatherstripping around the T-Tops and Drivers door.

I fully indend on restoring this car, and plan on taking my time doing it. The sap on the car was really bothering me, so I scrapped it all off with a blade.

What are the steps in restoring a vette? Paint, body, interior, engine/tranny, wiring, frame, fuel, etc. I think it needs a frame off, and would prefer to start from scratch on this car. I just dont want to start this project in the wrong order. I have heard horror stories about guys spending 5k on paint only to have it dinged up with an engine pull or door removal...

I would also like some help with the build sheet, there are some codes in there I cannot figure out, and of course, I cannot locate the original dealer either...

All your help is greatly appreciated, and I am looking forward to your responses and opinions.

Shack

 

[rgtrough]

Welcome

Hey Shack, welcome to the CAC. You are in the right place for information, help, advice, and support. Please don't be afraid to ask any question, no matter how lame you think it might be.

Where to start is an interesting question. Total frame-off restoration is a very long and expensive process. Hats Off and Good Luck to you. peace Bud :cool

 

[corvetjerryd]

Welcome Shack,
I also have a 73 l-82....It is indeed a verry long and expensive process to do a frame off resto. You might check out Tom's web site for a lot of info. on '73's' http://1973-corvette.com/ . I have found him very helpful to me on occasion....I have been working on mine for a long time now, whenever time and money permit.. I have had a very enjoyable experience working on and driving in my '73'...I hope you will have the same. This is a great forum to help you with your questions. It sounds like you got a good one to work with. Good luck
P.S. I hope your screenname is not how you actually acquired your 'Vette.:L

 

[stolenvette]

Thanks a ton for the link, I will check it out. No the screen name is just one I have had for a long time. I have wanted a vette since I was 10. Now, 21 years later, I have one.

I am still having problems finding out the actual order in which you restore a vette. I have been working on the body, but am keeping a slow pace until I find out the order in which to tackle a frame off resto. This board is great, lots of smart and experienced vette owners. Cant wait for some more replies!

Shack

 

[cwerve74]

Don't know if I am qualified to answer your question on order but I found this web site that has a ton of information and details the order they used. I know it is not a 73 but the process should be similar. I am doing a body on frame heavy detailing. My next one will be a body off frame. In my opinion it will be easier to get it right.


http://www.69vetteman.com/
Good luck

 

[mike weyman]

your right cwerve, if i was doing a frame off on the 75 i'm doing now,my door seams would be better,but those seams hardley seem worth the big increase in time and expense it involves, i want to be driving this summer, not sandblasting. mike

 

[Tom73]

Shack, welcome to the CAC. There is no way to tell how many L82 had the M21 trans in '73 as it was available with all the engines. For restoration details I would suggest checking out your local Vette clubs. There is a lot of knowledgabe help available there.

Again Welcome, and congrates on the '73. In case you may have missed it, Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era because the front and rear styling were closest to what the stylists originally had in mind when this series was first designed.

tom...

 

[stolenvette]

Tom...web down?

Tom, is your 73 website down? can't get to it ...

Shack

Welcome Shack,
I also have a 73 l-82....It is indeed a verry long and expensive process to do a frame off resto. You might check out Tom's web site for a lot of info. on '73's' http://1973-corvette.com/ . I have found him very helpful to me on occasion....I have been working on mine for a long time now, whenever time and money permit.. I have had a very enjoyable experience working on and driving in my '73'...I hope you will have the same. This is a great forum to help you with your questions. It sounds like you got a good one to work with. Good luck
P.S. I hope your screenname is not how you actually acquired your 'Vette.:L

 

[Robin7TFour]

Shack, welcome, you'll fine there are a great bunch of guys here. if you need anything i am down the road apiece ..in O-town

robin

 

[Chas]

Congrats on your Vette....

My personal favorite year.....Im not sure there is an order of restoration...your not pressed for time, so do what feels right....get some good books on restoration and look at the threads here from the start...you are well on your way to the right thing you want to do by just coming in and looking for advise....do you want this a perfect restoration? or just a cool ride that you have "tweeked" and made into your own?so many things to look at...your fortunate you have time and internet access....Good luck...dont forget to wave!
Chas

 

[The73vetteman]

Hi and welcome,

I have a 73 L48 4spd. She really needs a frame off resto but I don't have the time, money, space or enthusiasm so my strategy is to take care of the important stuff - safety items like brakes and steering, then suspension, engine and finally cosmetics - while having fun driving her.

Like you I wanted a C3 for a long time - I first saw one in a small village in England in the mid 70's and was totally blown away that anyone could build a car with such a wild shape. Took me 23 years to finally get one, but well worth the wait.

You asked about a good approach to doing the resto - I have no first hand experience but I did find an excellent Haynes book in a small secondhand bookstore in England. It's called "Chevrolet Corvette Purchase and Restoration Guide" by Lindsay Porter with Tom Falconer, John Pfanstiehl and Dave Pollard. First published 1996 and the Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number is 95-79126. If you can find it it's a good starting place for Vette resto info.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

'73

 

[BarryK]

I would also like some help with the build sheet, there are some codes in there I cannot figure out, and of course, I cannot locate the original dealer either...

Shack

hi and welcome

this should help you with the codes on the build sheet

http://100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet73.htm


Barry