GTR Restoration and Build

[driftpin]

A suggestion about the VIN plate. Research the type of fastener used to factory-fasten them in-place, and don't just 'pop-rivet' them back in. I saw a story online about a vintage car owner who did that and when he had the car inspected by the gendarmes at some point, they confiscated the car and threatened to have it destroyed because it was considered by them to be a chop-shop build. I think it was a Midwest state.

OK, I am bigly claiming to be an 'ace' on my test I recently took, because I got the particulars mostly correct.

Corvette returned to Kansas owner after 6-year VIN debacle - Hagerty Media

Richard Martinez is finally reunited with his 1959 Corvette after two pop rivets, used to secure its VIN plate, put the car in a Kansas impound lot.

www.hagerty.com

Hmmm, anyone seen my glasses? They were right here!

No expert fabricator here, but I got a car dolly my friend at his body shop didn't need anymore and it's at my storage unit, so I can't just go to the garage/shop & measure it, but I think it was from something like 1" X 3" or 4" and more like 1/8" than 1/4" wall thickness. It did have some solid wheels w/ball-bearing races about 2" wide and maybe 5" in diameter, w/through bolts holding them to the welded frame. It had been used for C2 Corvettes.

 

[RLaCasse1]

A suggestion about the VIN plate. Research the type of fastener used to factory-fasten them in-place, and don't just 'pop-rivet' them back in. I saw a story online about a vintage car owner who did that and when he had the car inspected by the gendarmes at some point, they confiscated the car and threatened to have it destroyed because it was considered by them to be a chop-shop build. I think it was a Midwest state.

OK, I am bigly claiming to be an 'ace' on my test I recently took, because I got the particulars mostly correct.

Corvette returned to Kansas owner after 6-year VIN debacle - Hagerty Media

Richard Martinez is finally reunited with his 1959 Corvette after two pop rivets, used to secure its VIN plate, put the car in a Kansas impound lot.

www.hagerty.com

Hmmm, anyone seen my glasses? They were right here!

No expert fabricator here, but I got a car dolly my friend at his body shop didn't need anymore and it's at my storage unit, so I can't just go to the garage/shop & measure it, but I think it was from something like 1" X 3" or 4" and more like 1/8" than 1/4" wall thickness. It did have some solid wheels w/ball-bearing races about 2" wide and maybe 5" in diameter, w/through bolts holding them to the welded frame. It had been used for C2 Corvettes.

Fortunately, I was able to save the factory rivets. They're plastic and I was able to remove them without damaging them.


Thank you for the info on the tubing sizes. That helps confirm what I have been seeing on manufactured dollies.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Welcome back, I would think you could use .125 if you brace it correctly.
I debated building a car dolly or a rotisserie and decided to build a rotisserie.
I have used it to transport car and truck body's on a trailer without issue.
I also later built a 4x6 dolly for pick up beds and such.
The best advice I can give you is to use larger wheels so you can move it with little effort.
Good luck on your quest.

 

[RLaCasse1]

I was going to wait until tomorrow to start working on the dolly, but figured I'd get a head start by getting the front caster mounts welded to the crossmember, and then mounting the casters themselves. Tomorrow I'll work out the uprights and the bracing. Finished product below.



The welds are not the best, they started a little rough, but improved as I found comfortable positions to weld in.

 

[RLaCasse1]

I got started building my dolly on Friday and finished up on Saturday. I think altogether, I spent about 8-10 hours building this thing. It's pretty damn sturdy, at least it feels like it is, but I'm sure loading it on a trailer and moving it somewhere will be the real test. I ended up building it out of 2.5" square tube with a .120" (11 g) wall.

I do have a couple things I may tweak in the future. For example, the front two mounts need slight notching so the bolts will slide through easily. And, when welding in the long beam that connects the front and rear I moved it slightly without realizing until I had welded on end on. When the car gets removed and then put back on the dolly, someone will have to "force" the front into place a little bit, but nothing to drastic.

Overall, I am pretty happy. The frame rails and sills are nearly parallel to the floor, which is what I was shooting for. The welds are not the prettiest ever, but they improved a bit with time.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Nice work!

 

[hoffR32]

I got started building my dolly on Friday and finished up on Saturday. I think altogether, I spent about 8-10 hours building this thing. It's pretty damn sturdy, at least it feels like it is, but I'm sure loading it on a trailer and moving it somewhere will be the real test. I ended up building it out of 2.5" square tube with a .120" (11 g) wall.

I do have a couple things I may tweak in the future. For example, the front two mounts need slight notching so the bolts will slide through easily. And, when welding in the long beam that connects the front and rear I moved it slightly without realizing until I had welded on end on. When the car gets removed and then put back on the dolly, someone will have to "force" the front into place a little bit, but nothing to drastic.

Overall, I am pretty happy. The frame rails and sills are nearly parallel to the floor, which is what I was shooting for. The welds are not the prettiest ever, but they improved a bit with time.

Great job! I love the restoration posts, they have been helpful with my R32 resto. I wanted to ask if you had dimensions of the cart you built? I'm looking to build something similar for wheeling mine around.

 

[RLaCasse1]

Great job! I love the restoration posts, they have been helpful with my R32 resto. I wanted to ask if you had dimensions of the cart you built? I'm looking to build something similar for wheeling mine around.

Roughly:
60" wide, 119" long, front upright is 25.5" tall from the floor, rear upright is 28.5" tall from the floor, 6" casters (included in the previous dimensions).

 

[Xti04]

Any more progress with the build? I got sucked into the JDM car game with a Honda Acty and now I am always looking for the next RHD car.