Corvette Resurrection?

[rspears]

Ken/NTFDAY,
What's the status of your beloved Corvette? You mentioned on MikeP's post that Ian might be starting on the Mustang, but what's going on with the 'Vette that got trashed in the parking lot? Wasn't a Son-in-Law tackling the fix?

[34_40]

OOoo Yeah, forgot all about that one. Is it still in your garage?

[NTFDAY]

Things have been a bit hectic lately but as the weather warms we hope to get more done on the Vette. It's in my garage and the 66 Mustang is in Ian's garage that, hopefully, he'll get a chance to work on. His day job, he rebuilds helicopter engines, keeps him pretty busy.IMG_7339.jpgIMG_7342.jpgIMG_7336.jpg
This is how she looks at the present with the new front clip.I have a new core support and radiator, just need to get them installed. also have most of the headlight pieces and it'll require a new windshield as well.

[rspears]

Wasn't a son-in-law (or ???) doing the 'vette work? Or maybe just the fiberglass?

[NTFDAY]

Wasn't a son-in-law (or ???) doing the 'vette work? Or maybe just the fiberglass?

Yes, my youngest daughter's husband tore it down and he, with help, will put it back together. And of course I'll help as much as I'm able.

[34_40]

That's good news. Any forward progress is just that. Forward Progress!

[rspears]

I'll be interested in how "they" tackle mounting the "front clip" as a unit, as from what I've seen in the very limited clips I've watched the Corvette body is built in a BUNCH of small outer strips and panels, with hidden bonding strips that span the gaps and form a rigid structure once they're all in place and cured. Hope you take lots of pictures!!

[NTFDAY]

You are correct, it's going to be a pain for sure. Hopefully I can got somw good advice from shine.

[shine]

i have a collection of screwdrivers that i cut off. i use them to locate the clip. drill holes the same size. this allows you to set all the gaps and such. when i go to set it i use a small patch of filler covered with saran wrap. set the clip in place using the screwdrivers and screw a few stir sticks between the door and fender . this tells me how thick the bed needs to be once you're ready apply the bond , line up with screwdrivers and set it with the stir sticks.
the hood needs to be on it also.

[NTFDAY]

i have a collection of screwdrivers that i cut off. i use them to locate the clip. drill holes the same size. this allows you to set all the gaps and such. when i go to set it i use a small patch of filler covered with saran wrap. set the clip in place using the screwdrivers and screw a few stir sticks between the door and fender . this tells me how thick the bed needs to be once you're ready apply the bond , line up with screwdrivers and set it with the stir sticks.
the hood needs to be on it also.

Thanks shine, I appreciate the help

[shine]

corvettes have an upper surround and lower panels.

[NTFDAY]

The fiberglass repair is more than my son in law, Ian or I can handle so I tried to farmit out. I had a guy I thought was going to do it for $4000, but haven't heard back from him so I'm going in a different direction. There's a guy in St Louis selling a 76 that is all there but needs a lot of work for $3500. It does ruin and drive though so I hope to be able to take a look at it soon. If it's decent I'll buy it and transfer everything from my car to the new one. It will need paint so I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Once I strip mine I'll attempt to sell what's left and the rest will make it's way to the bone yard.