Interior Completion In this episode, Classic Car Restoration host Mark Lambert finalizes the restoration of the 1962 Corvette. In this segment, the interior restoration is finished up with the installation of seats, trim and panel pieces that were removed earlier, and some final touch-up work.
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 on model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade 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.
- Note: In this final phase of restoration -- and throughout the entire restoration project -- a Corvette reference guide served as an important resource for information about the original features and characteristics of our 1962 Corvette. One of the reference guides that we used was the Corvette Buyer's Guide for years 1953 -1967 (figure A). It was this reference book that let us know that the 1962 Corvette was originally offered in three interior colors: red, black and fawn.
- Our seat-covers and panels were in white so, according to the information in our guidebook, the interior must have been re-done at some point. We opted to stay with the existing white interior. If you wish to change seat covers, the procedure is fairly simple. The cover is held in place underneath the seat using simple metal fasteners known as hog-rings (figure B).
- By pulling back our existing white seat-covers, we reveal the original black upholstery (figure C) that must have been the original interior color for this particular car. If this car were being restored to concourse level rather than simply to a driver, the interior would need to be restored in the original color.
- To restore our existing seat covers, we removed the seats, sprayed the covers down with bleach-white upholstery cleaner, and wiped the surface thoroughly with a clean cloth (figure D). For your restoration, you'll need to find the appropriate type of cleaner for your color. The cleaner removes most of the dirt and discoloration, with the exception of one minor stain (possibly discoloration caused by tar or grease).
- To take care of any remaining stains, use a leather-and vinyl dye following a procedure similar to that s used earlier to repair the vinyl dashboard. Begin by using a lacquer-based cleaner to clean and prepare the area that will be dyed. The cleaner opens the pores of the vinyl so that the dye can adhere well.
- Mask off any adjoining areas to prevent overspray, then lightly spray the dye over the soiled area until the stain is covered (figure E), blending the dyed area with the surrounding vinyl. Be sure to read and follow the dye-manufacturer's instructions and any safety precautions.
- The same technique can be used on the vinyl door-covers. In our case, we also dyed the carpeted areas at the bottom of the door-panels black to match the existing color (figure F).
- The upholstered insert-panel on the kick-plate (figure G) can be removed to simplify restoration of the kick-panel and insert.
- We also disassembled the arm-rests and repainted their bases using a chrome paint (figure H).
- Once the dyed pieces have dried, remove the masking and reinstall them. We reinstalled the restored kick-panel by sliding it into position (figure I) and fastening it with mounting screws. The top edge of the kick-panel tucks behind the finisher plate on the door-jamb.
- To further dress up the interior restoration, we replaced all of the old trim-mounting screws with new stainless-steel ones (figure J).
- Next we reinstalled the door panels (figure K), carefully lining up the holes on the panel with the factory holes in the door and securing the panel with new trim-screws.
- The window-crank is installed using a half-moon clip that fastens to the back side of the crank (figure L).
- With the clip installed on the crank, press the crank firmly on the crank-stud to install it (figure M). With the crank installed, check to ensure that it operates the window properly.
- The small clips are also used to installed the outside portion of the lock control.
- The door-latch ball simply screws into place on the latch-post.
- Install the arm-rest by inserting the long bolts through the holes on the bottom of the arm-rest (figure N). Use a socket wrench to tighten the bolts down securely.
- Finally, reinstall the seats. Lubricate the bottom seat-tracks using a spray lubricant. Raise the tonneau cover to install the seat-backs, then work the seat-bottoms into their frames (figure O).
With the installation of the seats completing the interior, the Corvette restoration is now complete. The 1962 roadster is ready for a spin on the road.
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
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Companies and Products)
Companies and Products
Corvette Central
Full line of Corvette parts and accessories.
Website: www.corvettecentral.com
Dunshee's Corvette Parts
Corvette restoration specialists.
7304 W. Villa Rita Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: 602-938-8895
Fax: 602-938-9081
E-mail: 4vetteparts@cox.net
Quanta Restoration and Performance Products
Website: www.quantaproducts.com
Restoration specialists. Quanta Restoration carries (among other specialty items) "correct" fuel tanks for vintage cars.
Lectric Limited
Website: www.lectriclimited.com
Eastwood Company
Unique automotive tools and supplies.
Website: www.eastwoodco.com
Eastwood carries assorted tools, supplies and parts (many hard-to-find) of interest to the auto-restoration hobbyist.
House of Kolor
Automotive paints, primers and painting systems.
Website: www.houseofkolor.com
Strip Technologies of America
A media-blasting facility specializing in coating-removal & coating applications.
4001 Bruhin Road
Knoxville, TN, 37918
Bend-Pak Inc./Ranger Products
Bend-Pak provided the large equipment used throughout the Corvette episodes of DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
NAPA Auto Parts
National Automotive Parts Association.
Customer Support: 877-805-6272
NAPA provided many items that used throughout the Corvette series.
3M Corporation
Products available at retail stores worldwide.
3M provided many general supplies, including all safety equipment, used throughout the Corvette series.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Organizations)
Vintage Corvette video and photos provided by General Motors Corporation.
Used with permission, GM Media Archive.
Chevrolet's website: www.chevrolet.com
Corvette Organizations
The National Corvette Museum
Website: www.corvettemuseum.com
The National Corvette Museum is open to the public and offers plant tours and other services and products, including Corvette accessories and memorabilia. The museum also offers library and archive information, build-sheets and a database of information. NCM also sponsors events and gatherings.
For DIY's Classic Car Restoration, the NCM supplied research material and photographs used in episode #201.
National Corvette Restoration Society (NCRS)
Website: www.ncrs.org
The NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes made from 1953 through 1986. The group offers publications, database information, resources and discussion boards. They also sponsor Corvette events and NCRS Judging programs.
East Tennessee Corvette Club
The East Tennessee Corvette Club is a non-profit organization of Corvette enthusiasts in the East Tennessee area.
Corvette Expo
Website: www.corvetteexpo.com
Corvette Expo is a promoter of Corvette shows, swap meets, and auctions.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Books and Publications)
Books and Publications
Classic Auto Manuals
1910 E.S.E. Loop 323 #317, Tyler, TX 75701, 903-566-1939
Classic Auto Manuals offers factory-original shop manuals, service manuals, body manuals, repair manuals and auto-parts manuals on CD format. They provided the 1962 Corvette manual used as reference in the Corvette series for DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
Standard Catalog of Corvette: 1953-2001
ISBN #0-87349-235-8
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
Book and photos featured in #201 (Corvette History).
Classic Corvette: The First 30 years
by Mike Mueller
ISBN #0-7603-1358-X
Motorbooks International (MBI) Publishing Company
Book and photos featured in episode #201 (Corvette History).
Corvette Buyers Guide 1953 - 1967
by Richard Price
ISBN #0-7603-1009-2
MBI Publishing Company
Featured in Classic Car Restoration episode #209.
Corvette: Fifty Years
by Randy Leffingwell
ISBN #0-7603-1180-3
MBI Publishing Company
101 Projects for Your Corvette: 1984 - 1986
ISBN #0-7603-1461-6
MBI Publishing Company
Author Richard Newton featured as guest on episode #209.
Motorbooks (MBI) catalog & information
Website: www.motorbooks.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
