west ridge
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2013
- Messages
- 37
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I echo the welcome and this priceless advice: it's your car so you get to do what you want!!
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I'm not arguing with you... gel coat is a great way, if not the best way, to seal the raw fiberglass. What I'm saying is I don't think the gel coat disappeared with time and exposure to the element. I am not an expert on C2s but I believe they did not come from the factory with a gel coat... ergo not the NCRS way... I have no idea how the NCRS checks paint etc as I've never had my 73 judged and I never will!Not that I am an NCRS person but explain why gel coating would not be in their list of not to dos. The car sat outside in the wind, rain, and snow. The mat was showing through in many places. I felt re gel coating was the proper repair. It came with gel coat, it disappeared with time and was replaced. Do they have a micrometer to measure thickness ? If so what is the tolerance ? I don't feel their so called experts know any more than the factory manuals specify. Would a car with a quarter or door replaced automatically be labeled an outcast ? Is a poly filler to take out those nice factory waves also taboo ?
I bought the car to drive and enjoy. I could care less about collector value as it is not for sale and my financial status does not depend on it. I just don't want to destroy a nice example of Chevrolet history if it means cutting into the body for non standard options. I know many alter their cars and I am trying to talk myself into it ... just bothers me thats all. I did leave the wheelie bar mounts on the frame.
My opinion. A 1966 Corvette was a very nice car in 1966. A 1966 Corvette is not so nice a car in 2013. It looks iconic and drives like a mid-sixty's car. It is hot, noisy and hard to get into and out of. The ride is far from compliant, it is a kidney destroying jolting scrabble on the highway. The steering wheel is HUGE and gets in the way. It had to be that large to get the leverage to steer the animal. If you want the 1966 driving experience renew the car as close to original as you c
Oh yeah, welcome to CAC. Great bunch of guys.
My main goal is to make it look factory original with some comfort not too noticable updates.
Hope to get some guidance as this thing is quite a project. Hopefully I am not missing too many hard to find parts.
+++++Adding good A/C will help you enjoy the car and drive it more often, especially with your weather; brakes don't need an upgrade (assuming they're in good condition) - they were good technology in '66, and still are today.
Mark; I like your slant on the old birds. The non power steering will definitely keep the hot rod on my side of the garage. We did put a good cam in the 427 so with a good sounding exhaust ( by the way.. what a good alternative ) it may be some what annoying to others. My main goal is to make it look factory original with some comfort not too noticable updates. The big tiller is great ( has a teak wheel ) and an annoying heavy duty clutch which I am perfectly happy with. Torque thrusts off the GTO will replace the factory steel wheels and it came with two big block hoods ( one a bit weak from a flight in near tornado velocity winds).
Interesting side note it loosened the interior braces but did not damage the outer surface. It will live on another project. The back area inside the coupe is large enough for a dog bed. My Terrier, who loves to ride, will probably call shotgun for our day trips.
Hope to get some guidance as this thing is quite a project. Hopefully I am not missing too many hard to find parts.
I feel compelled to chime in on this thread as I also have a '66 427 conv. I have been building mine for 30 years after some front end body damage. I'm in the area between a restomod and stock. All mods are done without cutting up the car but I have gone with rack and pinion, 500+ hp, suspension upgrades (fiberglass rear spring, bigger swaybars), bigger dia. and wider wheels, headers that fit under the stock covers, etc. I never had the original engine block or documentation for this car so I am building the hot rod I always wanted. Being a Corvette owner since 1975 I have seen the purists take over and try to dictate how we build our own cars. Beautiful, low mileage, documented, undriven cars have their place (and I love 'em) but not in my garage. Having said that I still have tried to collect as many correctly dated missing pieces(engine, glass) as I can afford (maybe out of guilt) because they will never get any cheaper.Bought a 66 coupe a while back that was taken apart, paint stripped, and generally put to sleep for forty years. As most of my yard and house projects are completed I am gradually turning my attention to the corvette. I had the 427 rebuilt and stuffed back in the hole with a new clutch assembly. The body was gel coated. A local boat shop gave it two double coats, first grey and second black with sanding in between coats. The body was not crashed and was a former California drag car with very few options ( huge motor, four speed radio, and positraction )
Which brings the following questions. Add a/c, power steering, better brakes, decent seats ? Its a black / black car so the temperature inside will be warmer than most. I want to be able to take it to neighboring states on trips so comfort comes to mind. ( passenger livability also ). I don't see it to be a super rare exiot piece but I want to keep it as close to factory as possible.
Many place so much money in their projects that that are afraid to leave the garage and park unattended. The other extreme is so much invested another interest catches their eye and they want out quickly with the entire cost. Considering a few safety and comfort items in my mind will be something any additional owner would do anyway. I am trying to talk myself into adding a/c.