Charliebates New Member Introduction

[charliebates]

Hello to all.

This is my first post here on the Corvette Action Center forum. I found myself reading various threads and found some interesting and beneficial reading to support my cause so I became a member.
I own a 1982 C3/Phillips Berlina Coupe SE that I purchased in Jan. with just 14,707.7 miles on it. It has only 14 miles driven in the last 7 years and it's all original including the tires.
My issues are mostly from seals that have been sitting and have dried out to the point of leaks. I also wish to soften up the front suspension because the front end is lighter than the original C3. That's because they did a 22" extended frame that pushes the front suspension ahead of the motor.
It's a fine automobile that is described as "Coach Built" because it's factory built as opposed to a kit car. There are 143 Berlinas built in total and mine is 1 of 17 SE models. It's a rare car.
My interests also include motorcycles, especially the Indians. I have a 2002 Indian Chief and a custom Road Star.

Thx, John Rosebrugh in Red Deer

 

[catbert]

Nice car John.

 

[Chevy Customer Service]

Hello to all.

This is my first post here on the Corvette Action Center forum. I found myself reading various threads and found some interesting and beneficial reading to support my cause so I became a member.
I own a 1982 C3/Phillips Berlina Coupe SE that I purchased in Jan. with just 14,707.7 miles on it. It has only 14 miles driven in the last 7 years and it's all original including the tires.
My issues are mostly from seals that have been sitting and have dried out to the point of leaks. I also wish to soften up the front suspension because the front end is lighter than the original C3. That's because they did a 22" extended frame that pushes the front suspension ahead of the motor.
It's a fine automobile that is described as "Coach Built" because it's factory built as opposed to a kit car. There are 143 Berlinas built in total and mine is 1 of 17 SE models. It's a rare car.
My interests also include motorcycles, especially the Indians. I have a 2002 Indian Chief and a custom Road Star.
Thx, John in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Welcome!

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Rob]

Very nice! Welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

 

[67vet]

Welcome to the Forum John from Alberta. I am Roger from Chapel Hill NC.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Welcome Aboard. . . . . . Glad you found us.

Welcome to Corvette Action Center we're glad you decided to join us

-Bill

 

[charliebates]

Nice car John.

Thx catbert. I'm glad U like it.

 

[charliebates]

Welcome!

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

Thx for the welcome William. Much appreciated.

 

[charliebates]

Very nice! Welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

Thx for the welcome Rob.

 

[charliebates]

Welcome to the Forum John from Alberta. I am Roger from Chapel Hill NC.

Thx Roger from Chapel Hill!!

 

[charliebates]

Welcome to Corvette Action Center we're glad you decided to join us

-Bill

Hey Bill. I see an Indian pictured in your avatar! Nice, looks to be the new 111C.I. Chief that was unveiled at Sturgis by Polaris. As well we have a small community Bluffton, Alberta about an hour drive from here.
Thx for the welcome.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Hey Bill. I see an Indian pictured in your avatar! Nice, looks to be the new 111C.I. Chief that was unveiled at Sturgis by Polaris. As well we have a small community Bluffton, Alberta about an hour drive from here.
Thx for the welcome.

Yeah that is the new Indian Chief, don't have one but want one just not sure yet. Not sure I can either justify or afford a new one but if a decent well cared for used one presented itself I may jump pn it esspeciallly since I'm going to retire soon. Love the looks of the new Chief, HD is alright too but given the choice I think I would buy the INdian Chief

-Bill

 

[bill81vette]

Welcome to CAC!!!
enjoy!

 

[charliebates]

Welcome to CAC!!!
enjoy!

Thx Bill

 

[wagons]

Berlina

New guy here myself. Just got a Berlina myself, the 1981 two tone brown and tan one. Stupidly trusted Gorge Goioechea down in Florida and had to spend an extra 8 grand on it. One problem now though...the ride is rough beyond anything I've ever experienced. Any slight indentation in the road and it sounds like an explosion. Sounds like the body is hitting something, rather than just your usual shock issue, but I am the opposite of an expert. Any ideas would be very very welcome guys. Thanks, Mike Devlin

 

[Mac]

Welcome aboard to both Charliebates and wagons!!

Mac

 

[Z16#952]

Welcome! I did not realize there were so few Berlinas built. Congrats on a great looking car.

 

[charliebates]

New guy here myself. Just got a Berlina myself, the 1981 two tone brown and tan one. Stupidly trusted Gorge Goioechea down in Florida and had to spend an extra 8 grand on it. One problem now though...the ride is rough beyond anything I've ever experienced. Any slight indentation in the road and it sounds like an explosion. Sounds like the body is hitting something, rather than just your usual shock issue, but I am the opposite of an expert. Any ideas would be very very welcome guys. Thanks, Mike Devlin

Welcome to the CAC Mike and congrats on the purchase of your 1981 Phillips Berlina Coupe.

Can U post a picture for us?

I have learned a lot about the Berlinas. Mine was surprisingly a rough ride too. I did some searching and came up with a fix and fortunately it's not that costly. The rough ride is caused by the 22 inch Berlina frame extension that moves the front suspension ahead but not the motor and transmission. This results in more weight on the rear suspension and less weight on the front. So the rear rides not too bad but the front rides like a rock.

There are 3 changes u can make to the suspension.

1...Remove the OEM shocks by Phillips. They are chrome plated and have 3 adjustable setting but they don't indicate which is harder r softer. Just replace with simple AC Delco shocks or equivalent.

2...Remove the front sway bar. The front end is so light U will never miss it.

These 2 changes will help a lot. If U want to test before spending then simply remove the sway bar and shocks and go for a test ride. Then u will know and can add the new shocks after. If the new shocks are too hard then U loose your ride.

3...I'm in the process of doing the number 3 upgrade to the front suspension. First I will explain what I'm doing and why.

The Berlinas are much lighter because the Corvette front end has been extended by 22 inches to fit the Berlina body. The engine and transmission which are the bulk of the weight have not been moved with the front end suspension. So the front end weight changes from 2395 pounds on the 1981-2 Corvette to 1766 pounds on the Twin Wheel Berlina and to 1706 pounds on the SE Berlina. That's a huge weight difference and is the cause of the rough ride U R experiencing.
I have removed the OE Corvette 460 pound front coil springs. They are rated at 460 pounds because it takes 460 pounds to compress the spring 1 inch and that's rock hard on the Berlina. The front suspension is the same on the Corvettes from 1963 to 1982 but have different coil springs to work with the different weights. So the coils springs are interchangeable.
I found the 1963 Corvette has a front end suspension weight that is with in a 7 pounds of the front end of weight on the Berlina SE so that's what I've purchased to put in mine.
I have it all apart and could assemble but not until I replace the ball joint boots, rubber bushings and new paint on the A-arms.

It's winter here in Alberta so I can't test drive it until the spring.

Thx John in Red Deer

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Welcome aboard

Welcome to the group we're glad you've joined us

Bill

 

[charliebates]

Welcome aboard to both Charliebates and wagons!!

Mac

Thank you for the welcome Mac.