I bought my '78 Vette in June 1985. I drove it as my daily driver for several years.
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In 1991, I parked it in my backyard. In 2002, after expanding my garage to 1,200 square feet, it was time to re-build the Vette.
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The re-build has been in progress since then. With family finances given other priorities, the Vette got what was left over so the progress has been very slow.
Also, I can't turn down other projects so right now I have a total of seven vehicles! Three of which are considered projects. Other than the Vette, I have a '53 Chevy Wagon that has been in our family since it was bought new.
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The other project is a '73 VW Super Beetle. This was my son's first car, but since he now has an '06 Mini Cooper S, the Bug lives in the backyard. I have some bodywork to finish before I put it up for sale.
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Back to the Vette, the body has been off the frame since 2003. I am almost finished with welding gussets to the frame and completeing seam welds.
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Since I am building this Vette on a limited budget, I bought a wrecked tow truck for the gen 5 big block.
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I shop the local Craigslist and swap meets for other parts such as four speed trans and other parts I need for the Vette. Here are a few part I have found over the years for the Vette:
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Recently, I extended the body dolly so I can store the frame underneath the Vette.
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What's next for the Vette project is to complete the frame welding, coating the frame, then install the suspension. Once this is done, I will be ready to drop the body back on the frame.
Next on the list I am looking for the Vette project is a long L-88 hood, aluminum heads and intake for the big block. Once I get the funds avaialable, I need to take the block to the machine shop to prep it for the build.
In 1991, I parked it in my backyard. In 2002, after expanding my garage to 1,200 square feet, it was time to re-build the Vette.
The re-build has been in progress since then. With family finances given other priorities, the Vette got what was left over so the progress has been very slow.
Also, I can't turn down other projects so right now I have a total of seven vehicles! Three of which are considered projects. Other than the Vette, I have a '53 Chevy Wagon that has been in our family since it was bought new.
The other project is a '73 VW Super Beetle. This was my son's first car, but since he now has an '06 Mini Cooper S, the Bug lives in the backyard. I have some bodywork to finish before I put it up for sale.
Back to the Vette, the body has been off the frame since 2003. I am almost finished with welding gussets to the frame and completeing seam welds.
Since I am building this Vette on a limited budget, I bought a wrecked tow truck for the gen 5 big block.
I shop the local Craigslist and swap meets for other parts such as four speed trans and other parts I need for the Vette. Here are a few part I have found over the years for the Vette:
Recently, I extended the body dolly so I can store the frame underneath the Vette.
What's next for the Vette project is to complete the frame welding, coating the frame, then install the suspension. Once this is done, I will be ready to drop the body back on the frame.
Next on the list I am looking for the Vette project is a long L-88 hood, aluminum heads and intake for the big block. Once I get the funds avaialable, I need to take the block to the machine shop to prep it for the build.
