making something out of nothing-

[CHEV66JB]

Hi all,

By now, most of you in the C1/C2 section know that I am building my '59 from scratch. I have been gathering pieces all summer, starting with the rear clip first and then the front clip, and now I am filling in everything in between.

I was just wondering, is there anyone else out there who has ever attempted to tackle such a project? I know of others who have done this with different cars, but never a 'Vette- I'd love to hear your stories if you've done what I am doing now.

Regards,

CHEV66JB
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jbiii/project_59.htm

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

That sounds like a great project!

What do estimate your cost will be done up?

Chuck

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

I'm guessing 15K once all is said and done.. But, it's easier for me to do it this way than to try to actually save 15K 8^]

CHEV66JB

 

[60fuelie]

Keep us all informed and up to date on your project! While I did buy a basketcase 1960 to start with, I must admit that there was two pick-up and car trailer loads to start with. Best of luck in finding all the little things. I have spent the last five years collecting part and am now well into the restoration. Let me know what you are looking for, I have a few extra items for the 58-60's. While I was missing alot of mouldings etc., my driveline was complete at purchase. All the right numbers are there, except the aluminum radiator was replaced at one time, date code is for a march 61 corvette. Car was only driven regularly for a few years of its life. First and second owner had it for a combined three years, third owner stored it for 10 years driving a total of 1000 miles. Fourth owner drove it for 1 year before fuel injection fire messed it up! Car was disassembled and stored for 24 years until my purchase in 1998. She will rise again! It too was the only way I could afford to build a C1 corvette. The bonus is that it is a fuelie and has a little racing in its past. If I can ever get ahold of the 1st owner, all documentation would be in place.
I have picture of him with the car at a race, just have not been able to get an answer to letters and E-mails.

Greg
1960fivette

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

Greg-

Thanks so much for sharing the details of your project! I would love to see the "before" and "current" pics of your car- Was it completely disassembled? Is it still the original color? I would love to hear all the itty bitty details! You can post them here, or email me directly at jbiii@comcast.net It's nice to compare vehicle progressions (I'm currently running alongside of Tom Bryant right now with his '59!).

Thanks again for the hope!

CHEV66JB

 

[IH2LOSE]

Personally I think your CRAZY,(No offence meant) But I am sure you have heard that before.I also have been called crazy several times in the past for bringing baskets cases back to life.
But I at least always started with an entire car frame and all

I also always knew that I was sane.

Good luck and I admire your VISION

 

[67HEAVEN]

But I at least always started with an entire car frame and all

I also always knew that I was sane.

Good luck and I admire your VISION

Larry,

It does my heart good to see someone take on more than I am.

 

[IH2LOSE]

67 it looks like hes going to complete it in less then a decade I think he has the front end also all ready.

 

[60fuelie]

chev66jb,

I will be glad to share pictures and stories as we progress through our projects. I do not have a digital camera yet, but I will get a shot or two to post soon. I have been taking regular photographs throughout the project.
Looks like there are several who question our sanity for taking on such a project. I must admit there are times I wonder too. See the body work coming along and it beginning to come together gives me hope. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, but it is very dim and along ways away.
Set yourself some short term goals and the big picture will come together! This past week I got my steering wheel back from the restorer and this week or next the wonderbar will be coming home from Germany after the "Wolf" did his magic. I am very anxious to see it. I wish I could show you the steering wheel, it had the normal cracks and was the wrong color. It came home truely a work of art. One step closer!! I will keep in touch!

Greg
1960 fi vette

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

Hi Greg,

To be totally honest, it's not the first time I've been labeled as a wacko 8^] I brought my '66 Chevelle home as mainly a shell 6 years ago, and as of this summer, I have been driving it to every car show in the area! It still needs paint, but it's mobile! Hopefully it will be painted by next summer.

As for the 'Vette, the project is being done totally in honor of my parents. My father is the one who taught me all I know about cars today, and he had a '59 Corvette when he was a kid. He met my mother while he had the car, and she actually learned how to drive in it. My dad always wanted another C1 car, and came close on a couple of occasions, but it never happened. I learned early on that I would never make enough to afford one totally done, and finally decided that if I could do a Chevelle, a Corvette couldn't be much different.

I originally thought it was going to take me a while just to gather the parts, but I have been having extremely good luck in my findings lately- Been great for me, but not for the checking account! Definitely let me know when you have the pics available to see, and I might have to get more info from you on the radio and steering wheel restos!

CHEV66JB

 

[69MyWay]

That is my kind of project!!!!!!

I am thinking dropping it on a custom frame build out of a S10, or late 70s early 80s malibu/monte carlo.

Then, a fuel injected engine, super wide wheels, ice cold custom a/c....and a six speed trans.

Yah!!!!!!!!!

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

That sounds like a pretty sweet setup actually... 8^] I was planning to go with a stock T-10, but that 6-spd sure sounds like fun!!

CHEV66JB

 

[69MyWay]

Re: Re:

That sounds like a pretty sweet setup actually... 8^] I was planning to go with a stock T-10, but that 6-spd sure sounds like fun!!

CHEV66JB

I am in the middle of putting a Richmond six in my 69. Man...why didn't I preplan for this when I had the body off the frame!:bash

Your whole project is on the drawing board...so you can change it all you want right now.

How about running a C5 drive train witht he trans in the rear???? Why not? You have to fabricate your floor to some degree anyway????

 

[magicv8]

I got my 66 as a basketcase - stripped body - 27 big boxes with most of the parts that the last 2 owners spent 7 years removing from the car (twisting heads off bolts) in preparation for a restoration that never got started. It took almost a year to get it glued/bolted/screwed together and almost another year before I took it to NY and WA during the same summer. I'm still looking for some of the missing parts, but I'm having too much fun to make a TQ out of it.