not4spd
Active member
Finally had my Corvette cherry popped....*Updated bottom post 1-11-09*
and it only took 27 years. I'm finally the proud owner of a 1989 Corvette coupe. Here's my story and some pictures.
Been browsing the forums the past couple of days figure it's time for me to post.
The History on picking her up
The week before Thanksgiving I posted my GTP for trade on Craigslist. I was contacted by a man who owned a Corvette that was interested in trading. I was a little skeptical because who in their right mind would trade a car worth twice as much as as a GTP. The Saturday before Thanksgiving we met to look at both cars. At first glance I knew there was something special about the car. I was drawn to it and could visualize her better days. At first sight I wanted to cry seeing how she had been neglected. It would definetly be a project that would take some time to bring back those glory days. After test driving her I was hooked.
After exchanging a few questions back and fourth I had butterflies in my stomach and was anxious to seal the deal. He test drove the GTP and seemed to enjoy her.
We both agreed to trade, but there was one problem-he had to get a hold of the title.
ad I had a feeling I knew where this was going, but I figure it wouldn't hurt to hold off a few days to see what happens.
Waited the week of Thanksgiving and nothing. I called the Monday on the following week only to find that he was still trying to process the title. Called the next week on Tuesday and found out that the title still had a lein holder on it. To obtain a copy of the title, the DMV needed proof the car was paid off. Apparently the Orginal lein holder had been bought out by another bank. Then that bank bought out by someone else. No records were transferred electronically so everything had to be pulled manually. At this time I was starting to lose hope. The story he was giving me seemed like a run around. I went ahead and put the car back up F/S or F/T. The third week went by and didn't hear anything. I was pretty sure it was a dead deal. Fastfoward to Christmas night and I recieved an email saying we were good to go. Made for a nice extra present I wasn't expecting!
The next day Friday December 26th, 2008 I dropped the GTP off and picked up the Corvette. Driving her home I decided to see how she did performance wise. Gave it hell from a low roll and was surprised that it had more power than I intially thought. Not as quick as the GTP but much more fun to drive, and insurance is $21 cheaper a month than the GTP with the same policy :L
Now on to the good part....
1989 Chevy Corvette Coupe
5.7 liter TPI
350 CI
240hp/335tq
9.5:1 Comp Ratio
(Will post RPO info when I have a new RPO sticker. Missing from where it's supposed to be.)
A few Pictures the night 12/26/08 I picked her up-
At the car wash ready for a bath(only time the car will ever not be hand washed.
)
Finally washed
After she dried she still was filthy and needed a 2nd wash(hand) which happened the next day. Don't let the picture fool you. She's wet so it's hard to see the peeling clearcoat. Kinda gives you a visual on what she will look like after fresh paint.
The vehicle had been hesitating and had a rough idle since I had picked her up. Finally drove her home pulled in the garage and popped the hood. Right off the bat you could hear the driver side exhaust manifold leaking. Walked over to the other side and here's what I saw
Oh darn looks like I'll have to head up to the parts store, get some new wires, and tinker with the toy.
Back at the house and took the cover off to get to the wires and replace them all. Notice how dirty the engine bay is. YUCK!
Replaced all the wires, fired her up, and backed her out of the garage to run a fuel injection cleaning. I ended up being out of carb cleaner spray so I couldn't clean out the TB. I did have some cleaner that goes into the gas tank though.
I also had the liquid cleaner that connects to the brake booster or other vacum line that goes into the intake manifold. Ran it nice and slow stepped back and watched the smoke show. The next door neighbors were outside and downwind when I did this. They didn't stay outside very long, I think the smell got to them a little bit :lmao:
The next morning I drove to a lube shop to get the front 6 fittings greesed. I don't know how the front end squeeking didn't get on the previous owner's nerve. I know this will come as a shock, but there was no grease in the fittings. Came back home, hand washed the exterior, and washed the engine bay.
After she was all washed up I had to take her for a spin with the targa top off. Put her back in the garage and went to pick my daughter up. The look on her face was priceless when I opened the garage. She was jumping up and down saying, "Ohhh look at that!" and "I want to go fast!" Brought a huge smile to my face just wish I had the camcorder to film her reaction.
Here's my daughter Jayden checking out the new ride
Parts that came with the Corvette
Rear pads and rotors
U-joints
Factory Service Manual
An extra top-Car has 2 a glass one(on in the pictures) and a painted one(matches paint scheme with silver stripe down middle of it)
Needed
Paint
Brakes all the way around(I need to take pics when they are off)
Rear brake lights not working
Interior(you name it it probably needs it.)
Suspension-liveable, but will need to start replacing parts
Antenna
I'm sure I'll come across more as I tinker with it
Future Plans
Engine mods will be very mild and will come after big jobs are finished
The wife and I will be restoring her and making this a show/street cruiser.
See everyone around the forums.
Since I have driven the Corvette I have yet to see another Corvette to wave too. Can I get a friendly wave from some fellow Corvette owners.
and it only took 27 years. I'm finally the proud owner of a 1989 Corvette coupe. Here's my story and some pictures.
Been browsing the forums the past couple of days figure it's time for me to post.
The History on picking her up
The week before Thanksgiving I posted my GTP for trade on Craigslist. I was contacted by a man who owned a Corvette that was interested in trading. I was a little skeptical because who in their right mind would trade a car worth twice as much as as a GTP. The Saturday before Thanksgiving we met to look at both cars. At first glance I knew there was something special about the car. I was drawn to it and could visualize her better days. At first sight I wanted to cry seeing how she had been neglected. It would definetly be a project that would take some time to bring back those glory days. After test driving her I was hooked.
After exchanging a few questions back and fourth I had butterflies in my stomach and was anxious to seal the deal. He test drove the GTP and seemed to enjoy her.
We both agreed to trade, but there was one problem-he had to get a hold of the title.
ad I had a feeling I knew where this was going, but I figure it wouldn't hurt to hold off a few days to see what happens.Waited the week of Thanksgiving and nothing. I called the Monday on the following week only to find that he was still trying to process the title. Called the next week on Tuesday and found out that the title still had a lein holder on it. To obtain a copy of the title, the DMV needed proof the car was paid off. Apparently the Orginal lein holder had been bought out by another bank. Then that bank bought out by someone else. No records were transferred electronically so everything had to be pulled manually. At this time I was starting to lose hope. The story he was giving me seemed like a run around. I went ahead and put the car back up F/S or F/T. The third week went by and didn't hear anything. I was pretty sure it was a dead deal. Fastfoward to Christmas night and I recieved an email saying we were good to go. Made for a nice extra present I wasn't expecting!
The next day Friday December 26th, 2008 I dropped the GTP off and picked up the Corvette. Driving her home I decided to see how she did performance wise. Gave it hell from a low roll and was surprised that it had more power than I intially thought. Not as quick as the GTP but much more fun to drive, and insurance is $21 cheaper a month than the GTP with the same policy :L
Now on to the good part....
1989 Chevy Corvette Coupe
5.7 liter TPI
350 CI
240hp/335tq
9.5:1 Comp Ratio
(Will post RPO info when I have a new RPO sticker. Missing from where it's supposed to be.)
A few Pictures the night 12/26/08 I picked her up-
At the car wash ready for a bath(only time the car will ever not be hand washed.
)
Finally washed
After she dried she still was filthy and needed a 2nd wash(hand) which happened the next day. Don't let the picture fool you. She's wet so it's hard to see the peeling clearcoat. Kinda gives you a visual on what she will look like after fresh paint.
The vehicle had been hesitating and had a rough idle since I had picked her up. Finally drove her home pulled in the garage and popped the hood. Right off the bat you could hear the driver side exhaust manifold leaking. Walked over to the other side and here's what I saw
Oh darn looks like I'll have to head up to the parts store, get some new wires, and tinker with the toy.
Back at the house and took the cover off to get to the wires and replace them all. Notice how dirty the engine bay is. YUCK!
Replaced all the wires, fired her up, and backed her out of the garage to run a fuel injection cleaning. I ended up being out of carb cleaner spray so I couldn't clean out the TB. I did have some cleaner that goes into the gas tank though.
I also had the liquid cleaner that connects to the brake booster or other vacum line that goes into the intake manifold. Ran it nice and slow stepped back and watched the smoke show. The next door neighbors were outside and downwind when I did this. They didn't stay outside very long, I think the smell got to them a little bit :lmao:
The next morning I drove to a lube shop to get the front 6 fittings greesed. I don't know how the front end squeeking didn't get on the previous owner's nerve. I know this will come as a shock, but there was no grease in the fittings. Came back home, hand washed the exterior, and washed the engine bay.
After she was all washed up I had to take her for a spin with the targa top off. Put her back in the garage and went to pick my daughter up. The look on her face was priceless when I opened the garage. She was jumping up and down saying, "Ohhh look at that!" and "I want to go fast!" Brought a huge smile to my face just wish I had the camcorder to film her reaction.
Here's my daughter Jayden checking out the new ride
Parts that came with the Corvette
Rear pads and rotors
U-joints
Factory Service Manual
An extra top-Car has 2 a glass one(on in the pictures) and a painted one(matches paint scheme with silver stripe down middle of it)
Needed
Paint
Brakes all the way around(I need to take pics when they are off)
Rear brake lights not working
Interior(you name it it probably needs it.)
Suspension-liveable, but will need to start replacing parts
Antenna
I'm sure I'll come across more as I tinker with it
Future Plans
Engine mods will be very mild and will come after big jobs are finished
The wife and I will be restoring her and making this a show/street cruiser.
See everyone around the forums.
Since I have driven the Corvette I have yet to see another Corvette to wave too. Can I get a friendly wave from some fellow Corvette owners.
and congrats on the new ride
and don't worry about that big grin that's staying on your face, it comes with the deal
