Abandoned 454 4 speed Corvette rescue

Discussion in 'The "Other" Bench' started by CJay, May 24, 2023.

  1. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    As long as you are nice about it, I see no issue with talking to the guy. You gave him the heads up...

    Nice score.
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Surprisingly, no. No smell of mouse pee in it. Just that musty interior, old car smell.
     
  3. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    Gotta solve that to get full price….That hole is just an afternoon with some fiberglass, sandpaper and primer, and cold beer.
     
  4. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Cool car!

    Seems odd that it has AC and no power steering.
     
  5. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I'm thinking back up the hole with a piece of cardboard covered in wax paper. Then a coat of duraglass? Idk.....im not a body man
     
  6. Duane

    Duane Member

    Jason,
    Fiberglass is easy to fix, if you screw it up you just grind it down and do it again.

    My first Vette was a 74 Burnt Orange 350 4-speed that was repainted Hugger Orange. Boy was that a fun car to drive.

    I bought and fixed a pair of aftermarket t-tops with shaded glass in the centers. That was what was available back then before the full glass tops were made. The car always looked like it had a pair of sun glasses on the roof.

    Corvettes are great, especially when you are young. I wish you all the luck with this one.

    I may even have a part for you. I think I still have a front grille piece. I will look for it.
    Duane
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2023
    1972 Stage 1 likes this.
  7. Duane

    Duane Member

    Jason,
    I just found a pristine Original 74 Corvette dealer brochure and an assembly manual.

    I found the center front grill too.
    They are yours if you want them.
    Duane
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2023
  8. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Duane, that's very nice of you. Thank you very much
     
    Brian Albrecht likes this.
  9. Duane

    Duane Member

    My pleasure.

    PM me your address.
    Duane
     
    Mike Sobotka likes this.
  10. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Thought I saw you on the 'Vette forums, Clem....nice alter ego......;)
    20230525_165937.jpg
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  11. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Boy, he's a handsome fellow....lol


    I went back to the old coot's house. I told him I tried calling him, left messages and texted him but no response and I wound up buying it from the impound. His wife was super pissed. Wouldn't shake my hand. Told her I wasn't the enemy. I tried to get in contact with her husband. Even told him I'd help him get the car back if he wanted it. He told me he was having family issues and never got back to me. Thinking to myself I was saying, ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away...

    He went in his garage and gave me the missing 2 trim rings, the storage bags for the t tops, a canvas convertible top to replace the t roofs with and a new car cover. Said that's all he had. I asked about the keys and he said thry were in the car, so no luck..they weren't.

    I told him I'd bring the car by if he wanted to see it. Or not if it was too difficult.
     
  12. red67wildcat

    red67wildcat Well-Known Member

    obvious the guy is one that ignores problems. Hopeing they solve themselves. That’s why the car said abandon on the street for years.
    you did a standup thing by going by and trying to talk nice to them more than most people would’ve
     
    1972Mach1 and BUQUICK like this.
  13. docgsx

    docgsx It's not a GTX

    Thrush side pipes! Nice
     
  14. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    Good job, sad for him but he let it happen.
     
    BYoung likes this.
  15. BUQUICK

    BUQUICK I'm your huckleberry.

    You are right, his lack of action after it was towed away shouldn’t be a surprise based on how he also neglected the car for decades. Jason probably did more to warn him than anyone else and gave him a fair shot to get his car back.
     
  16. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    The original ignition lock is out, door lock is getting removed and sent down to my lock guy in Georgia. Need a set of GM keys for it.

    Took the battery out, put 10 gallons of fuel in it and just made a list of parts I need to get it running. Has a set of 4 ring R44T's. Ordered a carb kit, and a full tune up. I ordered a fuel pump but I'm hoping it works. Looks like a real PITA to replace. Talk about stuffing 10lbs of stuff in a 5lb bag. Kinda cramped in there with that big 454. Gotta get the rear tires off and replace the defective valve stems so the tires can hold air

    Much more to come.....waiting on parts and keys so not much is gonna happen till next week as far as mechanical work.

    While I'm waiting, I'll probably start cleaning up the interior on Monday
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  17. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Thanks for that. I honestly felt bad for the car.
     
    BUQUICK likes this.
  18. Duane

    Duane Member

    Jason,
    Once you get into fixing it one of the best things you can buy is a stainless steel rear parking brake kit. The originals in those cars almost never work (rust up). The kits are really nice and will fix all those problems.

    You are going to need the e-brake, especially on a 4-speed car.
    Duane
     
    STAGE III likes this.
  19. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    Dissappointed you didn't try to get him "down some". Maybe have him bring the stuff to your favorite restaurant and have Duane buy?
     
  20. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Boy, my reputation still preceeds me lol
     
    Brian Albrecht likes this.

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