Just Finished My 1981 Vette... Pics!!!!

[golfradict]

Started the Vette last December and just drove it home, wanted to share my excitement. It's a 1981 with only 20K miles on it. It was a show car until the owner wrecked it.

This is a pic of the car last December when I purchased it.

Removed all the damaged parts

Found a used front end from a water damaged Vette.

Stripped the old paint off the entire car, quite a messy job.

All parts were removed for priming and fresh paint.

Inside the paint booth.


All the original stickers were taped over for the color coats, then the tape was removed for the clear coating.

Looks like I need to post again, I can only post 8 pics at a time.

 

[golfradict]

This is the second post from the thread: Just Finished My 1981 Vette... Pics!!!!Replace all the old weather seals.

Lots of messy wet sanding.

I will skip through all the newly installed parts because I can only post 8 pics at a time. Here is a list of most of the new parts installed, new brakes, master cylinder, rotors, calipers, lights with vacuum kit, wheels, shocks, adjustable struts, dash, speakers, retrofit radio, air dam, radiator, condenser. Had the carb rebuilt. Here is a pic of the car heading for a 4 wheel alignment and tuning.

Fresh premium gas and off for some pics.



Finally home in my shop after 8 months of work. The car was done for my 50th birthday.

Hope you enjoyed...........

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Looks great,Happy Birthday.

 

[XLR8]

Beautiful!!

Always great to see one saved and restored to her glory! And she does look glorious too - great job!

BTW... I combined your threads so that it would be easier to see all the pix at once.

Congrats on the completion of your mission, now get out there and drive it like you stole it! One good thing is you have year round driving weather in Baton Rouge!

Here's a wave from your neighbor in Mississippi!
Jane Ann

 

[XLR8]

Happy birthday!!!!!

I just realized today IS your BIRTHDAY - what a fantastic birthday present to yourself!!!

Happy birthday to you!!
Hope you have many more down the road and you can spend each of them enjoying your C3!!

Jane Ann

EDIT: I just realized today isn't your birthday... it was several days ago. Pay me no mind as I'm slowly going crazy. Lucky for me, it will be a short trip. :L

A belated Happy Birthday to you!
JA

 

[golfradict]

I just realized today IS your BIRTHDAY - what a fantastic birthday present to yourself!!!

Happy birthday to you!!
Hope you have many more down the road and you can spend each of them enjoying your C3!!

Jane Ann

EDIT: I just realized today isn't your birthday... it was several days ago. Pay me no mind as I'm slowly going crazy. Lucky for me, it will be a short trip. :L

A belated Happy Birthday to you!
JA

Hey, thanks so much for combining the threads and for the Happy Birthday wish. It was Aug. the 4th. as I am sure you found out :L
It was my best ever birthday also the first time I have ever driven a C3. otfl

 

[catbert]

It really looks great - good job. Don't crushem - savem!!!!

 

[xplosive performance]

Very sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet and nice work. Oh Happy Birthday. Have fun with her

 

[vetteboy86]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[bill81vette]

Very very,nice job!!!!!

enjoy!! BTW the grin come with the vette!!!!!
and Happy Birthday last week!!!It is a great present isn't it!!!!!!!!

 

[golfradict]

Very very,nice job!!!!!

enjoy!! BTW the grin come with the vette!!!!!
and Happy Birthday last week!!!It is a great present isn't it!!!!!!!!

Thanks Bill, great to see other "81" Vette owners, there's nothing like driving a C3. Hey, nice license plate, gotta personalize mine too.

 

[napacruzerC5]

looking good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Toms007]

Very nice save! And happy belated birthday.

 

[bagger]

Excellent repair job---Beautiful machine!

 

[bundy26]

 

[6880 Mike]

Excellent work.

 

[Vette79]

Awesome work

Great Job and thanks for sharing. Awesome to see another one saved!

 

[golfradict]

Great Job and thanks for sharing. Awesome to see another one saved!

Hey thanks, your car looks awesome. I enjoyed all the work saving my "81", I have always wanted a C3. A good friend of mine that owns a paint and body shop originally purchased the car with a salvaged title, just to use it for parts. After looking at the condition, low original documented miles, and that it was used as a show car, I was hooked and wanted to get it back to "show car" condition. My buddy said he could get it back to the condition it was in when it was driven off the showroom floor, so I got to help with every detail of the process for the last 7 months. The car is a dream-come-true for me, still hard to believe it is really mine, also can't wait to get it to a car show.

 

[DaveH_RRTX]

Wow! That car is gorgeous! Congratulations on a great save. Man I love the C3's!

 

[mike82]

car looks great,,,nice save