Oneball
CCCUK Member
Tim said “light switches” ???
72 Corvette - Restoration Updates
- Thread starter TimP
- Start date
Tim said “light switches” ???
Power windows. Sorry - don't know why I wrote light switches.
Mad4slalom
Well-known user
Good work tim
Roscobbc
Moderator
Dazza - that looks really very well done. You've done a nice job. I think the original centre console (as fiited to early C3's) was poorly unsupported and would crack if you leant on it when clambering across the seats perhaps trying to exit/enter the cabin from the passenger side. I've noticed that replacement centre consoles from Vette specials often include the wording "with additional strengthening" or something similar - wonder if that means an upgrade to the earlier design?
Adtheman
Well-known user
I did mine a few months ago, the bases really easy,
the backs i managed to split the first one i did trying to make it perfect which they never are anyway. result was Scott at CK having to order me a single rear cover. was all leather so not cheap. I wanted to do all the interior myself not to save money but just to say ive done it. In the end i got an upholsterer friend to finish them off. Happy with the end result though.
Chuffer
CCCUK Member
Having read on forums and Youtube how difficult DIY recovering can be and needing the correct tools , I decided not to do mine myself when doing a near complete interior refurb . I knew i would never be happy with my seats if I had a wrinkles or sagging on the original cushions , so bit the bullet and ditched the vinyl covered cushions and bought brand new leather ones . Really glad I did as it transformed the interior and sold the originals on Ebay very quickly that helped offset cost of new leather seats . 
It's been a little quiet on the Corvette front these last 2 weeks but I have managed to do a few things., starting with ....
Floor reinforcements! The parking/emergency brake plate was fairly corroded but structurally good. The floor area under the plate was cleaned up.
The plate was originally secured with big head fasteners on both sides but pop rivets wouldn't give that strength/support on both sides so I created some reinforcement plates for each of the items. I painted them to stop them corroding - not original and theoretically they will never be seen but I don't want to have to do this again .....
As fitted they look like this ...
The licence plate was in very poor shape - borderline junk to be honest. However I decided to fill some holes with weld, cleaned off the rust and reinforced it with fibreglass. After painting if looked like this. The gasket was unserviceable so I made a new one from cork/rubber gasket material.
Now ready to go back on. It hasn't got a bulb in it at the moment but I'll put an LED in it in due course.
Lastly I repaired the damaged rear light attachment area - the holes were badly damaged on both areas. Unfortunately the light recesses on the driver side are in even worse shape so they will be repaired next week.
Not shown, I also managed to remove the rear wiring loom. I will have a look a this later in the build but I will almost certainly replace it. Probably be the cause of endless electrical problems if I don't.
Floor reinforcements! The parking/emergency brake plate was fairly corroded but structurally good. The floor area under the plate was cleaned up.
The plate was originally secured with big head fasteners on both sides but pop rivets wouldn't give that strength/support on both sides so I created some reinforcement plates for each of the items. I painted them to stop them corroding - not original and theoretically they will never be seen but I don't want to have to do this again .....
As fitted they look like this ...
The licence plate was in very poor shape - borderline junk to be honest. However I decided to fill some holes with weld, cleaned off the rust and reinforced it with fibreglass. After painting if looked like this. The gasket was unserviceable so I made a new one from cork/rubber gasket material.
Now ready to go back on. It hasn't got a bulb in it at the moment but I'll put an LED in it in due course.
Lastly I repaired the damaged rear light attachment area - the holes were badly damaged on both areas. Unfortunately the light recesses on the driver side are in even worse shape so they will be repaired next week.
Not shown, I also managed to remove the rear wiring loom. I will have a look a this later in the build but I will almost certainly replace it. Probably be the cause of endless electrical problems if I don't.
Well spotted! It holds up the end of the propeller shaft - the rope goes through the seat belt mounting bolt hole. The shaft is still attached at the diff end but without a gearbox in place it rubs on the rear cross member if I don't hold it up.. In good weather (like today) the car goes on occasional forays out of the garage onto the driveway and it makes a horrible noise if it's not supported. Removing the prop shaft, cleaning it up and fitting new joints is on my list of things to do but it's a long, long list.
Mine wouldn't come out easily but I decided to put the whole thing in the electrolysis bath over night to get rid of the rust before trying further . After that they came out without too much fuss. I had expected the lens to crack when I removed the screws as most of the plastics in the car have got very brittle - the lens on the interior lamp under the rear window being a good example. However although a bit yellow and discoloured the lens is pretty solid.
James Vette
CCCUK Member
Swear I could sleep in a C3 instead of bothering with a bed & breakfast they're so comfy.
Forgot to post this pic with the last lot.
The tail lights came out after a bit of a struggle. Most of the threaded posts that attach them to the bodywork were bent. The recesses are damaged - I really can't work out how that happened unless who ever did it damaged the recesses installing the lights with the posts damaged.... I'll never know.
Anyhow, posts straightened (as much as possible anyway), rust removed and painted.
The tail lights came out after a bit of a struggle. Most of the threaded posts that attach them to the bodywork were bent. The recesses are damaged - I really can't work out how that happened unless who ever did it damaged the recesses installing the lights with the posts damaged.... I'll never know.
Anyhow, posts straightened (as much as possible anyway), rust removed and painted.
Chuffer
CCCUK Member
But you don`t get a full English breakfast served up in a C3 !
James Vette
CCCUK Member
Cafe cruising.But you don`t get a full English breakfast served up in a C3 !
Mad4slalom
Well-known user
Well done Tim, a few more items ticked off your list