NickF1011 Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) Some background: my dad is a Vietnam vet who returned home in 1969. Upon his return, he used some of the money he had saved up while deployed to buy a new 1969 Stingray, Monza Red, 350 sbc (350 HP/380 lb ft torque), 4-speed manual. It was a daily driver for only a year or two, and as it was driven less and less it fell into more of a state of disrepair until around 2002 it was no longer driven at all. All said and done, it now still only has about 42,000 miles on it. So, there it has sat in my parents' garage for the past 12 years...until this past weekend. My younger brother and I decided to take it upon ourselves to get the ol' girl back on the road for my dad. This past weekend we started off doing an inventory of everything we think needs to be done (I'm sure we'll encounter surprises) and then got to work. We decided to tackle the brakes and wheels/tires first, as we didn't want a running car that couldn't roll or stop itself. Here she is up on jack stands, ready to get to the brakes. We have new calipers ready to go on with new rotors and brake lines on order. Here are the grimy old steel wheels in various states of before and after sandblasting to remove 45 years of rust, dirt, and brake fluid residue. Not too concerned about the final appearance, as long as they are clean enough for paint. The original hubcaps are going back over them anyway. And there we are so far. Hope you'll enjoy following along as we continue the transformation! Edited May 29, 2014 by NickF1011 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) I will definitely be following this one! What a great thing to do for your dad! Not enough love for the C3's, one of my favorites! Edited May 27, 2014 by Intrepidatious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Awesome project! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Awesome that you are doing this for him. Thanks to him for his service to our country! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 One additional note not visible in the first pic. He's got some good double entendre going on the plates: 69 VET. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Fist, this is an awesome thing you and your brother are doing. I'm sure your dad proud, as he should be. Second, and I'll only make this joke once... Has it been recalled yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 Second, and I'll only make this joke once... Has it been recalled yet? Nothing yet! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_spaniard Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) Holy shit Nick, that car is gorgeous. I love those old Rays. Kudos, you kids are looking out for the old man. Edited May 27, 2014 by the_spaniard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 I know that there is the nostalgic factor of restoring it to original, but this would look awesome with modern rubber on some kick ass rims....good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 WWCFD? (what would Chip Foose do?) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92LX302 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Awesome project! Here's a great how-to to bring back life to old single stage paint. Worked amazingly on my '92, supposed to work even better on older paint:http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints-15.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 28, 2014 Author Share Posted May 28, 2014 So we dug a bit into the fuel system yesterday. All the lines between the carb and fuel pump are basically garbage, so new ones are on order. Things are on hold now until the new parts arrive in a couple days. On the good news front, after pulling the plugs, the crank spun freely with no effort, so no engine seizing to worry about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) My brother goofing around while we wait for parts... Yes. Those are my original Cobra wheels. (..and my bro's Explorer in the background. He's a Ford guy too.) Edited May 29, 2014 by NickF1011 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 Some old pictures of the Vette i found from back in the day as well: And my dad with his awesome 70's hair: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 And a photo I took of the speedometer/odometer several years ago showing the original mileage. Unfortunately it hasn't moved since then. But that's gonna change soon!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Some old pictures of the Vette i found from back in the day as well: DSC00208.JPG Man, check out them awesome bias plies! Only had to replace 'em once a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) Man, check out them awesome bias plies! Only had to replace 'em once a year. Haha for sure. To give you an indication of how long the car had been sitting on the "newer" tires, it was on 215/75/15 Michelin X tires. Michelin no longer makes the "X" and it doesn't appear that they make a single tire in that size at all anymore. I ordered a set of timeless BFGoodrich Radial T/A's in 225/70/15 as replacements last night. Can't decide on whether or not to put the white lettering out or just display the blackwall side. Opinions? Edited May 29, 2014 by NickF1011 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 letters out. It's a '69, should look of the times, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 letters out. It's a '69, should look of the times, no? Well, the original fitment was actually the red sidewall stripes as shown in the pics above. Suppose we could always try it one way and see how it looks. Not like mounting and balancing costs a whole lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
351cid Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Letters out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
351cid Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 My step-dad has a 75 Stingray convertible 4 speed (same color). It's sat for the last 5 years and I'm thinking it may be about time to take it to the shop for "some love" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 My step-dad has a 75 Stingray convertible 4 speed (same color). It's sat for the last 5 years and I'm thinking it may be about time to take it to the shop for "some love" The longer you wait, the harder (and more expensive) it gets. I say go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 Well if it's not one thing it's another. Got a call that they only had a couple BFG Radial T/A's in stock and that none will be available from BF Goodrich for likely 45+ days. Discount Tire Direct worked with me and we went for some Cooper Cobra Radial G/T's instead. They were $40 cheaper a tire plus they threw in an extra $50 off for the trouble. Not what I originally wanted, but they made it right in my book. Well done, DTD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 So we got into the brakes last night. New rotors and calipers are mounted... But it's always one step forward and two steps back... While bleeding them, the brake light switch striker snapped off the pedal assembly. Whoops. Doesn't look like too painful a repair, other than the lack of working room under the dash. Argh!! But...it's still progress in my book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 Next step: wheels & tires. Just need to give the hubcaps a good cleaning and we're good to go in that department! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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