A '65 C2 That's Seen Better Days [Video]

[TimP]

Congratulations on your new car - I really like the C2 coupe and I hope you that you have some great experiences with it.

I joined the Corvette fold four years ago buying a '72 C3 knowing very little about them. Joining the club was the best thing I did to get really useful insight, information and support from a very helpful membership.

The internet in general has a vast amount information on Corvettes and one thing I have found is that, although my C3 was, and still is (but getting there), a complete project, I haven't come across many (if any) problems that other people haven't seen before and, better still, they have taken the time and effort to document them. I expect the C2 is similar.

Obviously YouTube is a good source - and one channel you may find useful is called Mid-Year Mitch. He has a video on a C2 birdcage inspection where he looks at an 'as-new' C2 convertible birdcage and a split window body. I'm pretty sure there will be lots more out there too. Here's a link...

How to inspect a C2 birdcage

I would highly recommend getting hold of the appropriate year Factory Assembly Manual and Service Manuals, if you haven't got them already. The Factory Assembly Manual particularly has just about every part of the major mechanical assemblies, chassis and structure of the car broken up into Air-Fix style exploded diagrams. I refer to this for my build on almost a daily basis.

Please keep posting and providing updates on your car - like many others, I really enjoy watching Corvette content of all varieties, especially if they are repair and overhaul related. I'm sure this will be a really interesting series.

 

[Nassau65]

Side exhaust would certainly “work” with a 454ci. They tend to drone more in a coupe than a convertible. I love side exhaust, the look to me is “it”

 

[Roscobbc]

Squeaks and rattles are the norm when running over poor surfaced roads - and, yes keep the rpm down and its comparatively quiet inside - mine with it 3.08 rear end cruises nicely at 70 mph at just under 2500 rpm.....but tbh I prefer to keep out of the way along with the truckers at 55 mph or so at about 1800/2000 rpm. You can do most of what you need to do, even performance wise below 2500 rpm without the need to change gear too often......mine? between 5000-6000 rpm it is manic and extremely 'squirrelly' always looking for the next gear.......yours? I suspect unless badly out of tune may have an 'old school' type performance cam installed. Just remember the enclosed coupe body with act much like a sounding board inside the if you choose side exhausts...........

 

[Chevrolet]

Side exhaust would certainly “work” with a 454ci. They tend to drone more in a coupe than a convertible. I love side exhaust, the look to me is “it”

I don't know about C2s. Were side exhausts ever fitted as "stock," or as an option, out of the factory? Certainly "Chris" down my way (is he still in the club?) has them on his '64 Resto Mod and one or two other "bits & bobs"

 

[Nassau65]

I don't know about C2s. Were side exhausts ever fitted as "stock," or as an option, out of the factory?

Side exhaust first appeared as an option for the 1965 model year. Same design pipes/covers for 65/66/67.
New shape arrived for 1968 no side exhaust option. New design appeared for the 1969 model year and disappeared again for 1970.
They were readily available from Chevrolet parts counters and many 1970 onwards were fitted with them from new.

 

[Nassau65]

I can remember putting Thursh outsiders on mates capri’s and cortina’s.
Well, it was the 70’s custom car craze. They looked pretty good along with the wolfies.

 

[Roscobbc]

Unfortunately John none of the sidepipe options, whether factory or aftermarket (so Hookers and Doug's) will 'aid' performance (perhaps even the reverse!) certainly relating to a big block or hypo small block......unless totally devoid of any 'silencing' material

 

[teamzr1]

Very useful, thank you!

There's very little on this car that is original, besides the body, frame, and some interior bits - so your findings don't surprise me. I did look up the VIN and trim tags, and as you say, what you see today is very different from what rolled off the production line.

Bare minimum, it looks like the exhaust needs replacing. I'm tempted to swap it back to side pipes to be honest! Would they work well with a 454?

You're Welcome

You need to take a photo of the crossbar under the glove box and set the serial number to decode

 

[Chevrolet]

I can remember putting Thursh outsiders on mates capri’s and cortina’s.
Well, it was the 70’s custom car craze. They looked pretty good along with the wolfies.

"Thrush" ones too? Wouldn't need side pipes on a C2 if I bought one without them. But do like the sound of these "quiet" ones versus the "lumpy" sounding loud ones?

 

[Nassau65]

On corvettes, I’ve always preferred the factory ones. Yes, they are still loud and on long runs you can get a bit fed up with them. But I like the look of them.
The Thrush ones were based on the two corvette styles. The ‘outsider’ was styled on the 1969 version, and the ‘sidekick “ on the mid year version.
Both looked great when installed

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Congrats John and take it slowly.. There was a C2 Coupe at a show in the NW last year with a 454 and side pipes that made you ears cry for mercy, women give premature birth and kids make noises no parent wants to hear....

The resonators in the side pipes are all different, mine in the 427 are mild but 'good enough' for me now I'm all grown up

 

[Johnrdking]

Congrats John and take it slowly.

Thank you kindly
Is there anything in the video that would scare you? Given you own a pristine example, I figured you'd be a good guide!

 

[Johnrdking]

"Thrush" ones too? Wouldn't need side pipes on a C2 if I bought one without them. But do like the sound of these "quiet" ones versus the "lumpy" sounding loud ones?

Those quiet ones do sound more refined, I'll keep them in mind!

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Thank you kindly
Is there anything in the video that would scare you? Given you own a pristine example, I figured you'd be a good guide!

I'm scared to look I'll have a gander John but likely tomorrow. Just got home from a two day show and tomorrow I'm off to London with the C3 for the London Concours all week

 

[Johnrdking]

Unfortunately John none of the sidepipe options, whether factory or aftermarket (so Hookers and Doug's) will 'aid' performance (perhaps even the reverse!) certainly relating to a big block or hypo small block......unless totally devoid of any 'silencing' material

That's okay, I've got a bunch of other work to do before I touch the exhaust - I want to try and get the driving experience to feel a little more refined first (is that even possible?)

 

[Johnrdking]

I'm scared to look I'll have a gander John but likely tomorrow. Just got home from a two day show and tomorrow I'm off to London with the C3 for the London Concours all week

Ahh, were you at Tatton? I'm miffed that I missed it. Although I'd be too scared to drive mine down there from Yorkshire

 

[Johnrdking]

"Chris" down my way (is he still in the club?) has them on his '64 Resto Mod and one or two other "bits & bobs"

Now that, is a tasty looking motor.

 

[Johnrdking]

Squeaks and rattles are the norm when running over poor surfaced roads - and, yes keep the rpm down and its comparatively quiet inside - mine with it 3.08 rear end cruises nicely at 70 mph at just under 2500 rpm.....but tbh I prefer to keep out of the way along with the truckers at 55 mph or so at about 1800/2000 rpm. You can do most of what you need to do, even performance wise below 2500 rpm without the need to change gear too often......mine? between 5000-6000 rpm it is manic and extremely 'squirrelly' always looking for the next gear.......yours? I suspect unless badly out of tune may have an 'old school' type performance cam installed. Just remember the enclosed coupe body with act much like a sounding board inside the if you choose side exhausts...........

I did the same driving it home, I sat in the slow lane and hoped for the best - while repeatedly forgetting that you have to change gear with your right hand

Is it possible to do enough work, to make the car feel less like a scrap-metal rocket? And it turns like a tank.

My brother recommended taking it to a dyno, and getting some folks to tell me how 'dialled in' the setup is - as it was put together by a hobbyist who rarely drove it, maybe there's some tweaks that'll improve the handling before I starting replacing stuff...

 

[Johnrdking]

I would highly recommend getting hold of the appropriate year Factory Assembly Manual and Service Manuals, if you haven't got them already. The Factory Assembly Manual particularly has just about every part of the major mechanical assemblies, chassis and structure of the car broken up into Air-Fix style exploded diagrams. I refer to this for my build on almost a daily basis.

Thanks Tim,

I'm a book fiend, so when I started my search more than I year ago, I got the 1963 service manual, and the 1965 supplement. I then picked up the 'HI-PO Engine' reference guides and a bunch of restoration books, including the buyers guide written by Tom Falconer.

In the video I reference Mid-Year Mitch's video on the birdcage inspection, but in his examples - the frame isn't attached to the chassis, making inspection much easier - and I can't tell if the oddities I'm seeing are wear and tear, or serious problems.

Sadly, most of the helpful material I've seen came from Mid-Year Mitch - there aren't that many detailed C2 videos I've been able to find that speak to the missing interior bits I'm seeing - so as I work out what's missing, and how to fix it, I'll get the work recorded on video so other silly buggers like me have a reference guide on what 'not' to do

 

[Mr. Cricket]

You seem to have a good attitude John so good luck getting it up to snuff and see you at Stars & Stripes hopefully.