Full Restoration 1984 Corvette

[NMoline]

I own a 1984 Silver and Black Trimmed Corvetter witht he removable glass top. I have had this car for the last three years it runs very well but every year something else goes wrong. I love the car but right now its the AC and if I plan on driving it in the Summer this is a necessary. The paint can definitely use some work and possibly it needs body work. The interior is wearing thin and could be replaced. What I am really wanting to know is since I know little about cars, I only know basic maintenance, does anyone here know of a reputable shop in the Mid-West that specializes in Corvette restoration. I am really talking a full body off restoration. If anyone here can point me in the right direction that would be great. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana but I am willing to drive wherever would be the best in the surrounding states. Thanks

 

[JJS]

You're talking VERY serious cash here, and like "most" restorations, you'll put much more into it than you'll ever get for the car. But if you really love the car that much, you gotta go for it. Good luck, and please post pics on the progress if you decide to do it.

 

[JonM]

My advice...sell it...round up all the money you were going to spend on it and the money from the sale...buy a newer car or an older one and restore it. Look below at my sig...I know what I am talking about.

Now that I got that out of the way...its a fun project if you are not in a hurry and can do ALL the work yourself...if you have others do the work for you, you will spend 15-20 THOUSAND dollars (or more) ...and still have an 84.

 

[LT4man]

One place to contact is D&M Corvettes in Downers Grove, IL. They are in a western suburb of Chicago. I believe they have a website. One nice thing about them (besides their expertise and excellence) is they will do 'as much' or 'as little' as you want them. I suggest meeting with them in person. You can map out a strategy and get going on the road.

For your interior work, I would contact Mid America Motorworks in Effingham, IL. They are a CAC sponsoring vendor. D&M is familiar with them and could send your interior to them. MAM will use whatever colors you want. You could design an awesome interior for your Vette!

Save The Wave!

An 84 will eventually be a very valuable Vette. 1st year of the C4 and very different than the C4s that came after.

 

[NMoline]

I knew you all would be helpful. I know we are talking 15-20 thousand and that is why I want to map out a plan now. I am 21 years old going off to law school dont have lots of free cash but hopefully in 3 years when I graduate I will. I love my 84 since it is my birth year. Thank you all and if anyone else has anymore reccomendations keep them coming.

 

[SoLow]

I am really talking a full body off restoration. If anyone here can point me in the right direction that would be great.

If you are looking for a total restoration, I wouldn't limit myself to just the surounding states! There are a lot of shops that do restorations on C-1, C-2 and C-3's but shy away from the C-4 because of the SMC fiberglass as the early vettes have FRP fiberglass (easy to work with). We have a guy down here in HOTLANTA that is very good on both types and he is a member to this forum. He just did a 77 shark for a member here.

As for the distance from Indy to Atlanta, it's not to bad if it needs to be trailored. I bought a Jaguar last year from someone in Congerville,Ill. and I did the round trip in 23 hours. Wasn't too bad 'cept for the blowout at 80 mph at 4:00 am in Paduca Ky.:W

 

[Ted Krempa]

I knew you all would be helpful. I know we are talking 15-20 thousand and that is why I want to map out a plan now. I am 21 years old going off to law school dont have lots of free cash but hopefully in 3 years when I graduate I will. I love my 84 since it is my birth year. Thank you all and if anyone else has anymore reccomendations keep them coming.

N, I gotta tell you....your plan makes no sense economicaly...15-20 grand for an 84 with mech issues?...in 3 years you will be able to buy a C-5 with much better features, power, mechanicals, etc. You will be so upside down in that car as to value...good luck in whatever you decide

 

[vette747]

You can get a C5 for 17-18k.

 

[LT4man]

Since when did anyone EVER buy a car or restore one because it was fiscally responsible?

At least this fella is going to know where his money is going. He will be able to budget this project. I mean really: Does a 600HP C3, C4, C5, C6 EVER make sense???

Cmon guys, come on down back to earth!!!

Save The Wave!

 

[tyrel]

I agree with lt4man. There's nothing wrong with restoring a beloved car. A lot of you guys sound like his parents. Let him do what he wants.

 

[B17Crew]

lt4man mentioned D&M Corvette, I’ve read about them over the years in various Corvette magazines, they seem to have a good track record with restos. Here’s a link to D&M Corvettes site, http://www.dmcorvette.com

If decide to go ahead, please keep us updated, it’d be something to document for sure.

Good luck with law school!

B17Crew