Anyone else restoring a C1?
- Thread starter Corvette
- Start date
Chevrolet
CCCUK Member
Yes, Spotted your car at Brooklands on 27 July. Fantastic car, including that interior !!
Apologies to "Corvette" for slightly hijacking his thread? Yes, I realise its entitled C1 Restoration, not C1 Restomoding!
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Hi, not alone for long! I should have one arriving in October all being well. It’s a totally stock example, 283, drove it over in the US and it definitely needs some attention in the going and stopping department! Not massive work (famous last words) hoping an electronic ignition and new carb will sort the going issue out and perhaps a brake upgrade the stopping issue. I currently have a 65 Mustang and a 70 C2500 GMC truck. I’m definitely not a mechanic, I just love these things and enjoy driving them more than I do fixing them. Looking for a solid parts supplier in the US or better still, the UK, but my initial reply’s aren’t filling me with confidence. The knowledge seems to have disappeared from the industry, sadly. Was hoping someone on here might have been able to point me in the right direction…I’m all ears. Anyway, nice to be part of the club and look forward to next year and maybe a show or a meet. Be well all.
Roscobbc
Moderator
There is a 'knowledge base' in the UK relating to C1's. Admittedly small and generally very low key amongst some long term owners. Yes the trades people out there who would do the required work and knew what they were doing are very thin on the ground today. Be patient and you'll get to know the people who know what they doing. Unfortunately there are too many out there who think that an early Corvette is an easy restore and perhaps do unsympathetic work on the cars. Early Corvettes, whilst relatively simple vehicles are a valuable commodity and need correct restoration to maintain value.
Thanks for the message. Yep, that’s the knowledge base I was sure was there and hopefully will be able to assist me along the way with a bit of luck. My Dads had a C1 picture on his garage wall since I was old enough to go in there…it was always a dream car for me but never really thought I’d own one!
The gent who I’m buying it from has kept it as stock as they come…but it’s simply not a practical or useable classic in its current state. Improvements are required. I’m viewing it as a long term project, trying to keep it as original as possible while making it in to an enjoyable and safe (ish)
vehicle to drive. Because ultimately that’s why I buy these cars because I love looking at, listening to and driving them.
The body is in excellent condition and mechanically it must be considered as decent…but I fear regular maintenance has taken a back seat as the gent has aged and his use of the car reduced.
I’m in no rush to complete the project and the chap I work with who helps me maintain the cars is extremely skilled and has broadened his knowledge base considerably around US V8’s, since he started helping me with mine. So skilled labour isn’t my concern really, parts are.
I’m quite shocked when I call the US parts companies for parts, 50% of them have no interest or knowledge about cars or the parts they are selling. Shame really.
Looking forward to a future with a C1 in it.
Best,
Chris
The gent who I’m buying it from has kept it as stock as they come…but it’s simply not a practical or useable classic in its current state. Improvements are required. I’m viewing it as a long term project, trying to keep it as original as possible while making it in to an enjoyable and safe (ish)
vehicle to drive. Because ultimately that’s why I buy these cars because I love looking at, listening to and driving them.
The body is in excellent condition and mechanically it must be considered as decent…but I fear regular maintenance has taken a back seat as the gent has aged and his use of the car reduced.
I’m in no rush to complete the project and the chap I work with who helps me maintain the cars is extremely skilled and has broadened his knowledge base considerably around US V8’s, since he started helping me with mine. So skilled labour isn’t my concern really, parts are.
I’m quite shocked when I call the US parts companies for parts, 50% of them have no interest or knowledge about cars or the parts they are selling. Shame really.
Looking forward to a future with a C1 in it.
Best,
Chris
Corvette
CCCUK Member
Thanks for the replies. I am now working on two of these simultaneously. Quite addictive to the point that I have let a couple of cars go to get on with these. It’s parts and enthusiasts in the UK that are sparce. I have managed to buy a couple of job lots but am about to travel to the States parts collecting for the second time this year, never a problem with the C2’s and C3’s but few C1 owners seem to restore their C1’s over here.
62 C1
CCCUK Member
Whether you restore to original or modify it is worth having a decent plan which of course will be changed as you get into the realities of the project. Either route are fine. Well restored originals are valuable but so are good restomods. Just look at US auction prices and the top end sales are usually restomods. You just need to think carefully about the style you want and cost to achieve it (plus a contingency). I wanted to change mine bur to retain the classic look and feel. I don't personally like the modernised style but some people go the whole hog with digital dials, satnavs etc.
Original all the way for me. Each man to his own and I do see both sides of the coin on resto against original. But for me personally it’s original. I’m quite sure having sat nav and all the other modern gadgets are nice, but I have a modern vehicle that ticks all those boxes. When I drive the classics, I want just that in my experience. So I will be doing this just as I have the other vehicles, updating the ignition, fuel and braking systems to make it functional and as reliable as it can be, while attempting to retain as much originality as possible.
It would also break the current owners heart if I messed around with his car too much! He’s owned it for 30+ years and only agreed to sell it to me once I’d let him know my plan for it! This isn’t about money for him.
62 C1
CCCUK Member
I would take a bit of advice from the keep it original experts on what to modify then. If say you consider for example disc brakes, MSD ignition/distributor and significant fuel system changes you won't count as "original" in purist terms. See what they say and recommend. Good luck and keep everyone up to date on progress.
And that is where it gets complicated! The gent who is selling me the car has battled to keep it original and has had parts sent off to the west coast to be painstakingly restored over many weeks/months only to be returned and they still don’t work! I sadly do not have the time for such endeavours. I spend a lot of time outside of the UK with work so if I entered in to such pass times like he has, I’d literally never be able to enjoy the vehicle. So that is where I have to make compromises between total originality and a car that functions as it should when I’d like to enjoy it. I’m 44 at present. I’m aware my time to enjoy these stunning vehicles in British weather conditions is not infinite…so I make the best of it. I will indeed keep folks updated, some pictures also once it’s landed on British soil. Already this club is far friendlier than the Mustang Club, I’ve largely avoided their forum as I can’t cope with the Ego’s that exist on there. These things are intended to be a positive tool, educational even, not a place for people to make themselves feel important and become the King of the Keyboard. Be well.
Roscobbc
Moderator
If the previous owner has gone to the extent (and cost) of purchasing date coded 100% correct and original replacements and everything else on the vehicle is as it should be........100% if........you'd be foolish to consider updating things like brakes and ignition.
Although if the 'replaced' items are complete and in good order and capable of being returned to a stock configuration perhaps you have good case for change.
Although if the 'replaced' items are complete and in good order and capable of being returned to a stock configuration perhaps you have good case for change.
And this is what I don’t entirely know, it’s clearly been kept original but are the parts date coded etc? I was with the owner and the car for around an hour all told. What I do know is that when driven, it’s very obvious there are some issues that require attention. Approaching a stop sign, I wasn’t 100% if we’d stop…and I was going slow! It may just need some tuning up and general fettling once I have it over here…but 100% It needs to drive better than it currently does, what that means in the long term is I guess, the reason I’m on here!
Will keep in touch
Will keep in touch
Chevrolet
CCCUK Member
Can I ask why you decided to do yours RHD? Talking of which, there's a "needs completion" (?) RHD one for sale at the mo:
1956 Chevrolet Corvette Black Manual, 6 speed Right Hand...
1956 Chevrolet Corvette Black Manual, 6 speed Right Hand Drive in Exeter, United Kingdom - For Sale | Car & Classic, £45,000 RHD C1 Corve...
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62 C1
CCCUK Member
I just prefer RHD in the UK for overtaking particularly, turning out of junctions and roundabout especially when they curve away from the oncoming traffic etc.
I was going for a restomod anyway so I went for RHD while the car was all in pieces anyway and had seen some nice examples from Australia that gave inspiration.
I have seen a '56 for sale part completed on Car and Classic - is that the one?
Finally GM agreed in the C8!
I was going for a restomod anyway so I went for RHD while the car was all in pieces anyway and had seen some nice examples from Australia that gave inspiration.
I have seen a '56 for sale part completed on Car and Classic - is that the one?
Finally GM agreed in the C8!
Chevrolet
CCCUK Member
Yes, the one above
Roscobbc
Moderator
Unfortunately most people who decide to go for a RHD American car (not late model Mustangs or C8 Corvettes) often don't have longer term experience driving a left hand drive vehicle.........perhaps only making their 'choice' of RHD after perhaps a short test drive of a LHD American car they would have otherwise considered buying. I guess the 'pressure' of driving someone elses car from a totally different perspective on unfamiliar roads quickly cements that early mindset?
One of the car guys I have known for 50 years or so would only ever own and drive RHD Yanks. Back then these would have been 50's and 60's vehicles and, perhaps hot rods. He was then limited to a very, very small corner of an already tiny market, and unfortunately these RHD American cars were invariably rather crappy 'poverty' spec' with minimal power options and relatively tiny six bangers or the very smallest asthsmatic two barrel carb'd V8's. He did eventually 'come-around' and started drive LHD cars (after perhaps 30 years!)
One of the car guys I have known for 50 years or so would only ever own and drive RHD Yanks. Back then these would have been 50's and 60's vehicles and, perhaps hot rods. He was then limited to a very, very small corner of an already tiny market, and unfortunately these RHD American cars were invariably rather crappy 'poverty' spec' with minimal power options and relatively tiny six bangers or the very smallest asthsmatic two barrel carb'd V8's. He did eventually 'come-around' and started drive LHD cars (after perhaps 30 years!)