Corvette c6

Corvette Frame

Corvette Restoration - Find Just The Right Corvette For You

One of the most common mistakes I see when people buy their first corvette is is quite simply excitement, where they just get excited and hand over the cash before they inspect the car, this is one way to cause yourself more misery then you want to deal with.

In this case you can end up with a lot of horrible things happening with your very first corvette restoration, it's always better to try and find a corvette that is in very good condition to start with, if this is to be your first classic corvette, and your first corvette restoration.

You should make 100% sure that you check all of the critical areas of you first corvette purchase before you buy it, I know that this can be a hard thing to do, because you have just rolled up on what looks to be a perfect car to your eye ball, but their might be nasty things lurking in the shadows.

Corvette's are a special breed because they are made from fibre glass that is warped around metal in a lot of the areas on the corvette, and where it has firer glass warped around metal, it can rust, and you'll never see it because the fibre glass will hide it.

You need to look at these areas, if your looking at a 1968 - 76 convertible corvette you'd be best off to inspect the wind shield frame, this is one of the areas that can rust, and the fiber glass will start to lift in the areas where the rust develops underneath it.

You'd also do yourself a huge favour to put the car on a lift and inspect the frame of the corvette for rust holes, and frame damage, the more of the these types of things that you find at the first, the less surprises you'll have when you begin the renovation, or custom work on your corvette.

I'm not trying to change your mind about buying a corvette, I would love to help you find just the right one, I have been guilty of being to excited when buying a car myself, and it never does anything good, the time to be excited is when you find just the perfect car, the one that you can restore yourself.

Like any other car, you should always inspect the body gaps on the corvette that your looking at, no gap should be wider then 1/8 inch, or narrower then an 1/8 inch gap, if they are, you need to start asking question like has this car been wrecked in the past.

Also look for stress cracks, and rust coming through the stress cracks in the body, a stress crack will look like a mini spider web in the car's body, also inspect around the gas cap opening for rust, and take a good look at the interior of the corvette, these are always good indicators of the condition of the car.

You should get in the car, and push the clutch to the floor, and run through the gears in the car, looking for the shifter to get stuck in one gear, or to be very hard to move, these are both signs that the corvette needs a new shifter linkage, not a huge deal, but it is more work.

It's an absolute must that you check the engine for leaks, check under the car around the oil pan while it's up in the air, you should also check the brake lines for cracking and leaking whit it's on the rack, look at the brakes on all four corners to see if the rotors are leaking brake fluid.

Then let the car down and check for leaks around the valve covers, and the intake manifold, if your restoring the car, and then planning to sell it later, you'd better check all of the numbers on the car, to be sure that the engine, and transmission, and the rest on the car, belong to that car.

These things can be very hard to find, of course the condition of the car depends a lot on what you want to spend to buy it, if you buy a $15,000 corvette, you will be doing a lot of work to restore it, if you spend more, you'll get a better car, and it will need less work to restore it.

Have you ever heard the saying, you get what you pay for, that is the gods honest truth here, so plan your budget very well, just bu doing this you can save yourself a lot of agony in the end, save your money so you can start with a corvette that is in god condition.

If you start with a corvette that is in good condition, you'll get it restored a lot faster, and be driving it, and enjoying it, and is really what we all look forward to in the end, I'm still waiting to locate the right corvette for me, if it takes a long time, don't worry about it.

The longer it take to find it, the better corvette you'll find in the end, below here I will add a check list of the things you need to look at before you hand that cash over, and buy your new classic corvette.

Corvette Buyers Check List:

Check The Numbers:

Do they look untampered with?

Do they match?

Look at the:

Body ID:

Engine ID:

Trim Tag:

Inspect the car's title.

Check The Body Work:

Look for misaligned body panels.

Nose alignment.

Wheel Height:

Front Left Wheel.

Front Right Wheel.

Rear Left Wheel.

Rear Right Wheel.

Body Surface:

Check body work for ripples.

Check to see if you can find any seems showing through the paint work.

Sinking beneath the paint, or areas that look like a small ding in the paint.

This isn't everything, but it should help you locate a good corvette to start with, I did omit a few things here, but i will be sure to add them in a later article, in the mean while, if you need help with a corvette, just comment on this article.

About the Author

I've been in the automotive business for about 20 or 25 years, I have worked in all facets of the industry, from parts to restoration, all different makes and models, I just want to keep people interested in the old cars because it's where my heart is.

Car Restoration
Corvette Restoration

Corvette $15.99 Corvette

L.B.K. Designs Corvette $149.85 L.B.K. Designs Corvette Eyeglasses for Unisex are available at BestBuyEyeglasses.com in the following colors: Black, Blue, Brown, Gray/Gunmetal, Silver. The style is Rectangle and the frame material is Metal. L.B.K. Designs Corvette Combinations. These frames accept prescription lenses.

Corvette Engraved Stainless Steel License Plate Frame $31.95 The Corvette Engraved Stainless Steel License Plate Frame uses solid stainless steel sheets as a base material for the frame, being that stainless steel is not porous, polishes well and doesn't rust. The frame will never rust or corrode and will look great for years. The Corvette logo is computer engraved with the factory font name for authenticity, are cut to maximum depth, and then hand painted with UV-rated permanent resins. Hand polishing further ensures that your frame will have a faultless appearance. The license plate is constructed using a "coined" manufacturing process, which unlike other frames, are "cast" brass, zinc or other metal, they vary in size, form, and finish, and often don't have tabs on the back bottom to secure them to the license plate. The Corvette Engraved Stainless Steel License Plate Frame has tabs on the back to secure your license plate. The license plate frame comes packaged with hardware and matching SnapCaps? anti-theft hardware caps.     NOTE: The following states have laws requiring that the license plate frame not cover any of the state name on the license plate itself: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington. We recommend you use the wide frame license plate frame.  If you would like to order a wide frame: CLICK HERE TO ORDER A WIDE FRAME     Samples of a Wide Frame:

Corvette Engraved Stainless Steel Wide License Plate Frame $31.95 The Corvette Engraved Stainless Steel License Plate Frame uses solid stainless steel sheets as a base material for the frame, being that stainless steel is not porous, polishes well and doesn't rust. The frame will never rust or corrode and will look great for years. The Corvette logo is computer engraved with the factory font name for authenticity, are cut to maximum depth, and then hand painted with UV-rated permanent resins. Hand polishing further ensures that your frame will have a faultless appearance. The license plate is constructed using a "coined" manufacturing process, which unlike other frames, are "cast" brass, zinc or other metal, they vary in size, form, and finish, and often don't have tabs on the back bottom to secure them to the license plate. The Corvette Engraved Stainless Steel License Plate Frame has tabs on the back to secure your license plate. The license plate frame comes packaged with hardware and matching SnapCaps? anti-theft hardware caps.     NOTE: The following states have laws requiring that the license plate frame not cover any of the state name on the license plate itself: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington. We recommend you use the wide frame license plate frame.

Chevrolet Corvette (C5) $89.22 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The Chevrolet Corvette (C5) is a sports car produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1997 through 2004 model years. The first truly allnew Corvette since the original, a new generation of designers and engineers achieved higher levels of performance, sophistication, and quality hailing the fifth generation as the best Corvette ever. The C5 was a major change from the previous generation. Designed from the outset as a sturdy convertible, as opposed to a coup that was subsequently weakened by the removal of the roof structure, the car now had a hydroformed box frame. The transmission was moved to the rear of the car to form an integrated, rearmounted transaxle assembly which was connected to the allnew LS1 engine via a torque tube; this engine/transmission arrangement helped facilitate a desirable 5050 (percentage, frontrear) weight distribution for the vehicle. Author: Kjeld, Pollux Variste Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 112 Publication Date: 2011/08/26 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.27 inches

Chevrolet Corvette $6 Chevrolet Corvette

Corvette C6 $6 Corvette C6

Corvette C6 Model Billiard Ball Rack $17.76 The sixth generation C6 Corvette brought a new design that seems to scream speed to all those to see it. Chevrolet attempted to bring the car into the new millennium with exposed headlamps a slightly narrower frame and a sexier look. Though some enthusiasts prefer traditional Corvette styling the Corvette C6 has been flying out of dealerships. This generation starting with the 2005 Corvette has already made a big hit and there are already confirmations that a new Corvette "SS" codename "Blue Devil" will be added to the mix that may include a supercharged powerplant producing over 650hp. Features include: high impact styrene constructionfull color logo 15 ball capacity triangle for regulation size balls Dimensions (L x W x H): 11.25 x 12.375 x 1.25 inches.

Chevrolet Corvette C5 $81.25 The Chevrolet Corvette C5 is a sports car produced by Chevrolet between 1997 and 2004. It is the fifth generation of the marque and was replaced by the C6. The C5 was a major change from the previous generation. Designed from the outset as a sturdy convertible (as opposed to a coup that was subsequently weakened by the removal of the roof structure in order to accommodate demand for a convertible model), the car now had a hydroformed box frame. The transmission was moved to the rear of the car to form an integrated, rearmounted transaxle assembly which was connected to the allnew LS1 engine via a torque tube; this engine/transmission arrangement helped facilitate a desirable 5050 (percentage, frontrear) weight distribution for the vehicle. The LS1 engine initially produced 345 hp (257 kW), but that was increased slightly in 2001 to 350 hp (261 kW). The 4L60E automatic transmission carried on from previous models, but the manual was replaced by a BorgWarner T56 6speedwhat has a top speed of 186. Gone were the squeaks and rattles of the C4, replaced by a stronger frame that would last for at least two more generations. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 88 Publication Date: 2009/11/26 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.21 inches

Corvette Summer $7.99 Corvette Summer - Photo

Corvette Chart $17.99 Corvette Chart - Poster

Corvette Engine $24.99 Corvette Engine - Photographic Print

Corvette Monster $1.49 Corvette Monster Button Monster driving a hot rod Corvette

Corvette 1957 $59.99 Corvette 1957 - Stretched Canvas Print

Corvette 1958 $299.99 Corvette 1958 - Stretched Canvas Print

Corvette C6 Stained Glass 40 Inch Lighting Fixture $614.76 This Corvette C6 40 inch Stained Glass Tiffany Lamp is an incredibly high quality lighting fixture. Use for your lighting your Billiard Table Kitchen Table or even your Dining Room Table. The sixth generation C6 Corvette brought a new design that seems to scream speed to all those to see it. Chevrolet attempted to bring the car into the new millennium with exposed headlamps a slightly narrower frame and a sexier look. Though some enthusiasts prefer traditional Corvette styling the Corvette C6 has been flying out of dealerships. This generation starting with the 2005 Corvette has already made a big hit and there are already confirmations that a new Corvette SS codename Blue Devil will be added to the mix that may include a supercharged powerplant producing over 650hp. Features include: Handmade with stained glass Brass channel pull chain on/off switch 10 foot power cord (110 volt) with 3 prong plug Hanging hardware included 3 feet of hanging chain included Three bulb style (bulbs not included max 60 watt per bulb) Great for gifts and recreation decor.nbsp; Dimensions (L x W x H): 40 x 18 x 15 inches.

Trademark Commerce GM1500BC1COR Corvette C1 Framed Mirror Black $81.91 This big full color Corvette C1 mirror is that missing link in your garage Of course with a nice frame and high quality full color logo it will look great anywhereFeatures include: . Black wrapped wood frames . Mirror with print . Big 15 x 26 inch Overall SizeGreat for gifts and recreation decor.

Trademark Commerce GM1500RC1COR Corvette C1 Framed Mirror Red $81.91 This big full color Corvette C1 mirror is that missing link in your garage Of course with a nice frame and high quality full color logo it will look great anywhereFeatures include: . Black wrapped wood frames . Mirror with print . Big 15 x 26 inch Overall SizeGreat for gifts and recreation decor.

Chevrolet Corvette Side $10 Chevrolet Corvette Side

Corvette, 1958 with Diner $17.99 Corvette, 1958 with Diner - Poster

1957 Corvette $39.99 Graham Reynolds 1957 Corvette - Premium Giclee Print

1958 Corvette $39.99 Graham Reynolds 1958 Corvette - Premium Giclee Print