In this segment, work begins on restoration of the Corvette's exterior with body-trim disassembly. Later, once the exterior trim has been removed, the car will be sent out for fiberglass repair and spraying with a coat of primer. Before the car is painted, however, the engine and transmission will be reinstalled in the vehicle. Following this sequence allows detailing of the engine compartment prior to reinstallation of the engine, and it eliminates the possibility of damaging the newly painted surface when the engine is reinstalled. Once the engine has been reinstalled, and the exterior has been painted, the interior restoration will be completed.
Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgraded kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.
Tip: As with other major phases of this automotive restoration, document the steps in the body and trim-work by taking before-and-after pictures, preferably with a digital camera.
Tip: Be sure to bag and label small fasteners and parts in labeled zip-locks to avoid losing track of small parts.
Body and Trim Disassembly
Materials:
Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
Steps:
- Judging from the condition of the exterior, this car has been painted at least twice since it's original factory coat of Honduras maroon. Cracking in the paint surface (figure A) is evidence of an overabundance of paint buildup. Once the exterior trim is removed, the old paint will be stripped from the Corvette. Removing the body trim yourself offers the advantage of monetary savings, and it allows you to supervise the careful removal, care and (where necessary) repair of the original parts.
- Before removing the headlights from the vehicle, mark the electrical leads to help identify them during re-assembly (figure B).
- Remove the grill fasteners and carefully lift out the front grill (figure C). Use caution when removing the grill, as it is fragile.
- Unscrew the fasteners, and remove the headlight rings (figure D). On the 1961 and 1962 Corvettes, the headlight rings were body-color, not chrome as in earlier years. These will be sent out with the vehicle for repainting.
- With the trim rings removed, unscrew and remove the headlights and wiring. Store the headlights and associated parts in a storage bin.
- Continue removing the chrome elements from the front of the vehicle, including the upper and lower grill molding.
- Tip: Take your time loosening and removing the bolts that hold the trim pieces in position. Use penetrating oil where necessary to help free up rusted bolts and fasteners.
- Remove the individual "Corvette" lettering by unscrewing the small nuts under the front body panel. Store the letters and fasteners in a labeled zip-lock bag. If you have to replace these letters, a new set costs around $40. The Corvette emblem is removed in the same way (figure E).
- Inspect each trim piece as you remove it. In our case, the grill-bar trim was rusted and pitted (figure F). Pieces like this can be re-chromed or replaced. A new grill-bar like this costs around $110.
- Remove the front bumpers (figure G). Ours were found to be dirty, but in reasonably good condition. They just needed to be cleaned up. Store the bumpers with their fastening bolts and nuts for easy re-assembly.
- Continue working your way around the car in this manner, removing all the trim pieces that you can (figures H, I and J). The more pieces you can remove, the less costly the paint-shop's fee is likely to be.
In the segment that follows, Mark demonstrates the basics of fiberglass repair.
RESOURCES :
Corvette Black Book : 1953-2001
Model: 0933534477
Author: Michael Antonick
Corvette: The American Legend
Model: 0785343741
Author: Consumer Guide Editors
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
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