1978 Corvette restoration project

[Gears_call]

Hey guys, just wanted to start a thread since i have recently started on a new project. This project is a 1978 corvette, and well theres a lot of things to say about it. First, lets start with the good. And the good being its red and the overwhelming vote for the name of this project is "project red rocket". And thats the end of the good. Now onto the bad, and theres a lot of it. First off i am not a fan of these body style corvettes..... at all. I have yet to see a good looking 78 corvette. Second is the face that the car was from Maine and im sure as you know 99.999999% of cars from the east coast rust away into dust so rust repair is going to be a huge part of this because it does indeed have a lot. Ill stop the bad at two because id be typing a novel on all the issues and so fourth so instead ill gripe and moan about it as it arises and I address it. So why a car i hate im sure you ask? well good point its because this is my uncles "dream car" whose health isnt the best and both financially and health wise he isnt in a state to restore it so i decided to take that task on and learn some things along the way im sure. So without further ado i present to you "Project Red Rocket"

 

[Gears_call]

The beginnings

 

[Gears_call]

After a few harsh years being buried away and long trek to my driveway to start its new life

 

[Toothaker]

I'm a Ford guy myself, but I sure like the C3. And yes, I agree the red is right.

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[oldwino]

Good luck, Gears. Gonna be a fun project and I look forward to watching your progress. I recently got a ‘71 roadster w/big block, 4 speed that I have started restoring.

If you haven’t done so already head over to the “corvette forem” as there is an unlimited source of information. Parts sources for nearly everything include Wilcox and corvette America

Good luck and have fun with it

 

[Gears_call]

I'm a Ford guy myself, but I sure like the C3. And yes, I agree the red is right.

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Everyone has their own personal opinion and i get people like them it has a unique body for sure, its just not my personal fortay but hey wont stop me from loving it anymore still. Im just glad its not that silver for the 25th anniversary!

 

[Toothaker]

There's a corvetteforum.com and corvetteforums.com, and I like the second one better.

So it's not the C3 you like, what car do you like? [emoji848]

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[Gears_call]

There's a corvetteforum.com and corvetteforums.com, and I like the second one better.

So it's not the C3 you like, what car do you like? [emoji848]

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Thanks for the info guys I’ll deff browse through at some point I’m sure. And excellent question. The car I do like is parked behind it under an extra thick cover since I’ve been playing with it since I was in the third grade with my old man.

 

[shelteredV]

I've had a few Vettes over the years and been on both those forums. I tolerated the polishers and floor mat talk for a while, but bailed.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

After a few harsh years being buried away and long trek to my driveway to start its new life

Here's my 79 (basically the same car) that I've had for over 20 years and one year because I just had no place to store it it had to spend the winter outside.

 

[Gears_call]

Here's my 79 (basically the same car) that I've had for over 20 years and one year because I just had no place to store it it had to spend the winter outside.

i feel like the rear spoiler on yours at least adds a step in the right direction as far as looks go

 

[Toothaker]

I've had a few Vettes over the years and been on both those forums. I tolerated the polishers and floor mat talk for a while, but bailed.

"polishers and floor mat talk" [emoji23]

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[mrobins297aaa]

yeah it was bolt on option for 79, I believe starting in 1980 it became molded in and part of the body. Here's a pic of it in better days (maybe 2002?), the paint has really suffered since then. I have replaced just about everything on that car.

I hope your going to post pic's as you complete them, can't wait to se how it works out.

 

[Gears_call]

yeah it was bolt on option for 79, I believe starting in 1980 it became molded in and part of the body. Here's a pic of it in better days (maybe 2002?), the paint has really suffered since then. I have replaced just about everything on that car.

I hope your going to post pic's as you complete them, can't wait to se how it works out.

thats the plan post as i go

 

[Kaizen]

I've had a few Vettes over the years and been on both those forums. I tolerated the polishers and floor mat talk for a while, but bailed.

Any good corvette ones for actual work? Thinking of getting one and would like to have a place to ask questions


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[oldwino]

Actually I’ve found the C3 technical forum on Corvetteforum to be pretty good. The floor at and cup holder guys are all C7 people

 

[Ohmthis]

That’s not too bad of looking car, it’s a lot better IMO than most all of the cars from that time period. The only thing that I think is terrible about them is the anemic engine. I think my zero turn has more HP.......Ok, not really. Keep us updated, we love projects and pictures.

 

[gungatim]

Actually I’ve found the C3 technical forum on Corvetteforum to be pretty good. The floor at and cup holder guys are all C7 people

agree...I used to be on there more but dropped off, but there is a lot of good info, especially for restoring. you'll learn everything to check, birdcage rust fix, suspension, brakes are pretty common issues.

there is a good place for parts, Wilcox, he posts on there and answers questions. when the Chinese replacement parts are junk he will say so and try and source better stuff.

if you have wiper/headlight/vacuum issues Wilcox has guides posted there for that, and I have a pretty comprehensive vacuum diagram I have posted on there a few times as well.

good luck.

btw, I LOVE the C3, have a '68 and a '76 as well as a '95 C4...

 

[Gears_call]

Today’s project will consist of cleaning up the interior of all the dirt/rust/glue from carpet etc etc and then respraying it in preparation for dynamat. After pictures to follow

 

[Bellaireroad]

Have you taken a good look at the frame and birdcage yet?


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[Gears_call]

Have you taken a good look at the frame and birdcage yet?


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I have when I first got it I spent a good couple hours going over everything after looking around I found some surface rust went through the whole thing cleaned some down to bare metal and at best it was some minor pitting and the overall depth wasn’t bad and there was (surprisingly) no holes or even pinholes form rusting so on that front looks like I got lucky

 

[Gears_call]

 

[Gigem]

Go to YouTube and subscribe to the channel for TheCorvetteBen. He is a C3 guy, and very practical. Really good info!

 

[Gears_call]

 

[Gears_call]

Go to YouTube and subscribe to the channel for TheCorvetteBen. He is a C3 guy, and very practical. Really good info!

good stuff, thanks for the tip!