C3 body off suggestions...

[VETTE_1978]

I've finally decided that the Pace Car deserves a few g's spending on it over the winter period so dropping it off at Corvette Kingdom next Saturday.

After having a look round various websites and posts I'm thinking along the lines of the body off restoration and if possible (money permitting) some work on the suspension and steering.

I'm interested if any other C3 owners have gone down this route? What sort of budget did you allow and are there any suggestions I should make to Scott next weekend? I'm not expecting to end up with a concourse award winning car but something a bit less leaky and maybe more responsive would be great for Le Mans next year.

[yellowvette]

I had a body-off at Corvette Kingdom back in 2000 when the late Ray Groves was at the helm. I have been pleased with the work and from what I hear, Scott Groves has certainly continued the standards. I would advise getting all the metal brake and fuel lines changed as they are a sod to do with the body on, if nit actually impossible. Otherwise I'd let Scott advise what to do when he has the body off and assessed it. In truth it's hard to give a real budget until the body is off : will the frame need any repairs, what about fuel tank and all the other stuff that's hard to see with the body on etc. If you are upgrading stuiff I hear Steeroids are worthwhile but don't have the conversion myself so can't comment. Your car will be in good hands though.

[v8yea]

I have known Scott personally for many years,even prior to his going to work with his father Ray.I can honestly say that I have rarely met a man who speaks his mind and stands by his opinion more than Scott.He would rather not take on a job than risk his reputation by cutting corners.If something needs attention in order to complete a task correctly Scott will insist on it.He is a chip off the old block.Fortunately for the Corvette fraternity his chosen passion is CORVETTES,and no he didn,t pay me to write this although the next time I see him I wonder if he guesses it was me Ha Ha

[VetteG]

v8yea said:

I have rarely met a man who speaks his mind and stands by his opinion more than Scott.He would rather not take on a job than risk his reputation by cutting corners.If something needs attention in order to complete a task correctly Scott will insist on it.

All true, some of the 'debates' we had during the rebuild of my vette are still memorable, especially on his preference for RamHorns and mine for headers! But yes, cutting corners is just not on his agenda, you wont be dissapointed by the work quality.:thumbup

G

[VETTE_1978]

yellowvette said:

I would advise getting all the metal brake and fuel lines changed as they are a sod to do with the body on.

Thanks for all the pointers, replacement of the the fuel line is one thing I'm definitely going to ask for. The day I picked it up I found that there was a 2" peice of rubber hose connecting the broken fuel line which had split. I remember ringing "another" Corvette specialist where they quoted me about £1500 to replace it, I rang CK and they said just replace the hose and use jubilee clips.

I'd thought about trying to find places more convenient (live in Sheffield) but at the end of the day all roads led to CK. Roll on Saturday!

[VetteG]

VETTE_1978 said:

I'd thought about trying to find places more convenient (live in Sheffield) but at the end of the day all roads led to CK. Roll on Saturday!

Yup thats what I found and I live in Edinburgh, when I'm not in Moscow that is!

G