Linas

Hi all,

As some of you might know, Rolling Thunder, 1971 Corvette resto mod project has been for sale on the forum and I bought it:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...resto-mod.html

I received some PMs and emails from forum members, asking for updates on this car, built by Dave Hopper (forum member Rolling Thunder). So I thought I will set up a thread to keep you posted.

This is the first set of pics, how the car is leaving the garage of its previous owners, Dave's daughters. It has been taken to Herzog Motor Sports, where engine DFI tuning will be completed along with some other things, which Dave did not had a chance to do before his death.

Then 502 DFI engine of Rolling Thunder will be fired for the first time!!!

Afterwards the car will be shipped to Europe, where I live. It will be a good company for my 1968 completely stock 427/400 convertible

LeMans Pete

Easily the meanest looking corvette I've ever seen.

stingr4y

I see great badness here!

pewter99

Gordonm

i hope you plan on lots of driving miles. I'm sure that is what he would have wanted. Good luck with the car and keep us informed of its progress.

brit vet

Wow! I’ll be looking out for that beast when I’m in and around London.

If you see some madman in a silver Range Rover registration V8 VET trying to stop you, it’s just me

How long until it arrives ?

Linas

Hehe, no problem, mate It should be here by December!

brit vet

I've sold my C5 and actively looking for a 68-72 for next year. Although looking through the build project threads and realising just what goes into these generations to keep them on the road I might chicken out yet

Any pics of its stablemate ?

Linas

Here it is:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/album.php?albumid=20235

By the way, I might be willing to sell it at some point of time this or next year. Now I just enjoy driving it around London

jotto

Hey Linas,
That Vette has to be one of my all time favourites. I tried to sell a child and a kidney but got no takers!

Will be great to actually see the car in person, bet you cant wait till it arrives.

Post up pics and vids of the startup.
Best post up on CCCUK as well!

DZRick

I'll be watching for updates as well. You now have 2 very,very nice Vettes.

I'm more than a bit envious.

brit vet

Wifes horsebox upgrade next then it's back to my turn...

Linas

I sold mine already when I was buying my 1968 convertible I was about to sell a second one now, but was advised by my wife that you can't do much without two kidneys

SHOWME

Great car built by a great guy!Good to see some one finnish it.

70L46

It was a pleasure knowing Dave, a truly good guy. Good to see his work being appreciated by a new owner, all the best to you.

Dustup7T2

Linas,
Thanks for the update. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Currently, had forgotten about Dave's fine efforts reassembling this car. Good to see you will carry on his legacy.

Look forward to more pictures, reporting, and updates. Thanks!

SmokedTires

I always wondered what became of Dave's incredible build. That is one bada$$ ride that will have the power to backup the visible attitude (meant in a good way ).

I'm sure you will enjoy the car as much as the attention that it'll demand in Europe

3JsVette

I'm happy for Dave that his dream will be fulfilled. Please keep us updated. Thanks Linas!

Linas

So it's been few months since the last update, when Dave's Rolling Thunder left the garage of his daughter's house and headed to a shop of Doug Herzog to be completed.

Those were few months of ups and downs (and a constant cash flow ), as the project turned out into a can of worms, as there were so many loose ends left. Dave just did not have time to take care of this million of small details... Now I can fully understand, how much he wanted to see it running and how much he was upset by huge number of things that had to be done in the time he had left to make this Vette running.

So there are just a few shots, which were taken during the process. A lot has been accomplished: DFI tuning, belt drive & pulley placement issues, fuel lines, brake lines, electrical wiring nightmare, dash not working, leaking gaskets, fabricating many small details like accelerator cable bracket, melting fiberglass due to close proximity to exhaust, rubbing tires to rear flared fenders, leaking differential, issues with fuel pump, etc.















And ... finally .... it is on the dyno!!



Well, I bet, Dave is watching this from up above. Today's videos from the first ride and engine running





So the end of the works is close, but we are still not there yet. Electric windows not working, wipers not working, exterior lights are still funky, etc. But at least there is a light in the end of the tunnel

HOOAH

Linas
Very nice Vette! I've always loved that car. I never knew Dave but read alot of his threads. I believe he said one time, he loved all colors of Vettes as long as they were black.

Can you take some pics of how the front lights are mounted? If anyone else knows anything about Daves headlight set up I would appreciate some info on it. I've searched and searched this forum for Daves posts releated to it but could never find anything.

Terry