1980 C3 Mods
10-05-2011, 12:17 AM
#41
Redo the guts first!
I have a c2 project ongoing but am planning for a c3 next. I think you have one of the nicer year group cars, post the early c3 collector types ie 68-70 or so.
Your year group is what Im thinking of for my project and I see a lot of similarites to my c2 project for different reasons. Many c1/c2 cars cannot be restored due to neglect or actions by previous owners.
Your year group could be looked at the same way because some of the original equipment was not the best example of GM engineering. Restoring a low compression/low HP motor is ok for some. I personally would start by tearing out most of the guts of your car starting with the engine, transmission, differential and updating the suspension. I might then move on the the interior.
It is easy to keep the Corvette flavor of the car by using later/earlier generation Corvette parts in the resoration. C4 suspension and differential replacement is very common. C5/C6 seats possibly. Earlier C3 speedo, tach and guages, etc.
When you get to the exterior, I have seen a c3 stinger hood that did a fair job of capturing the early gen c2 flavor or you could go with a c3 big block hood.
Im 53 and I use my 23 yr old son as a sounding board. His tastes and mine are drastically different, much like the opinons on this thread, lol. I like to find areas where we both like something and I add that into my build. By doing this, I have a broader market if I ever have to sell my car.
I will also admit that there are many areas where we find no common ground, lol. If my Corvette has the proper engine I dont need the big stereo my son will have. Why spend $3k on stereo when I can pour an extra $3k into my motor, lol. He would probably remove $ from the motor to put it into bigger speakers, lol.
Ive also had a generational disagreement with my mechanic, lol. He is the same age as my son and cannot understand why Im not going with an LS based motor. From a performance standpoint he may be right. From an appearance standpoint I am right. My 565hp SBC 427 with Inglese 8 stack EFI looks like motors you might have found in race cars from the 60s. I could buy his pick - an LS7 based motor with 650hp for the same price. Either choice will get respect when the hood is opened. That last statement is a good approach to all mods, (opinion).
In any case welcome aboard from an Old Fogie!!
Your year group is what Im thinking of for my project and I see a lot of similarites to my c2 project for different reasons. Many c1/c2 cars cannot be restored due to neglect or actions by previous owners.
Your year group could be looked at the same way because some of the original equipment was not the best example of GM engineering. Restoring a low compression/low HP motor is ok for some. I personally would start by tearing out most of the guts of your car starting with the engine, transmission, differential and updating the suspension. I might then move on the the interior.
It is easy to keep the Corvette flavor of the car by using later/earlier generation Corvette parts in the resoration. C4 suspension and differential replacement is very common. C5/C6 seats possibly. Earlier C3 speedo, tach and guages, etc.
When you get to the exterior, I have seen a c3 stinger hood that did a fair job of capturing the early gen c2 flavor or you could go with a c3 big block hood.
Im 53 and I use my 23 yr old son as a sounding board. His tastes and mine are drastically different, much like the opinons on this thread, lol. I like to find areas where we both like something and I add that into my build. By doing this, I have a broader market if I ever have to sell my car.
I will also admit that there are many areas where we find no common ground, lol. If my Corvette has the proper engine I dont need the big stereo my son will have. Why spend $3k on stereo when I can pour an extra $3k into my motor, lol. He would probably remove $ from the motor to put it into bigger speakers, lol.
Ive also had a generational disagreement with my mechanic, lol. He is the same age as my son and cannot understand why Im not going with an LS based motor. From a performance standpoint he may be right. From an appearance standpoint I am right. My 565hp SBC 427 with Inglese 8 stack EFI looks like motors you might have found in race cars from the 60s. I could buy his pick - an LS7 based motor with 650hp for the same price. Either choice will get respect when the hood is opened. That last statement is a good approach to all mods, (opinion).
In any case welcome aboard from an Old Fogie!!
10-05-2011, 02:21 PM
#42
Drifting
Well I appreciate the pick of the bubble lights. I was curious about them, but I don't think its something I want to do.
I like the chrome accents around the windows. I think I consider this.
BTW, what are those white lines in the grill of this picture? I was thinking of putting some DRL LED strips next to the yellow light, but I have been trying to see if someone did it already. If you did, I would love to see a straight on shot of your car.
Otherwise, I love the paint job. The car looks great.
I know most people are worried about ricing my car, but I am really not into that. I just want some ideas of mods to improve the look on the outside and make it personal. As well as ideas for the inside, such as the push starter that I mentioned earlier. Little things. I have no intentions on making fake exhaust noises, 20" subs, 20" wheels, a huge spoiler, ground effects and purple headlights.
I like the chrome accents around the windows. I think I consider this.
BTW, what are those white lines in the grill of this picture? I was thinking of putting some DRL LED strips next to the yellow light, but I have been trying to see if someone did it already. If you did, I would love to see a straight on shot of your car.
Otherwise, I love the paint job. The car looks great.
I know most people are worried about ricing my car, but I am really not into that. I just want some ideas of mods to improve the look on the outside and make it personal. As well as ideas for the inside, such as the push starter that I mentioned earlier. Little things. I have no intentions on making fake exhaust noises, 20" subs, 20" wheels, a huge spoiler, ground effects and purple headlights.
10-05-2011, 10:30 PM
#48
Burning Brakes
10-06-2011, 03:51 AM
#49
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Indiana is filled with ricer cars. You see a lot of them at Universities. I wonder why, lol.
10-07-2011, 02:04 PM
#53
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Here are some of the mods to my 1980:
Clifford alarm system - remote to unlock/lock doors and set alarm.
Metra power antenna.
See my site for more info.
Clifford alarm system - remote to unlock/lock doors and set alarm.
Metra power antenna.
See my site for more info.
Hmm I have to admit I really like the idea of a modern remote access control and what's the story with the Metra power antenna?
does it have to extend out to work like the normal antenna or can it be left in its resting positon and still just work as well as the normal one in its extended position?
what's the color of the tanish leather and the tanish carpet on this one and who made the carpet itself?
its very smooth and slick looking carpet and I really like it.
Last edited by Kavinsky; 10-07-2011 at 02:16 PM.
10-07-2011, 07:31 PM
#54
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I like my bubble tail lights and the bonded bumperson my 81, I hate how the the bumpers dont line up right on a lot of the 80-82"s.i also removed all the black paint from all the window and rocker tirm. As far as the ricer comments its your car and you should do to it what ever you like
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10-07-2011, 09:00 PM
#55
Hmm I have to admit I really like the idea of a modern remote access control and what's the story with the Metra power antenna?
does it have to extend out to work like the normal antenna or can it be left in its resting positon and still just work as well as the normal one in its extended position?
does it have to extend out to work like the normal antenna or can it be left in its resting positon and still just work as well as the normal one in its extended position?
10-09-2011, 12:23 PM
#56
Drifting
I pulled the molding off the car be carefull doing it you should buy the tool made for pulling them off or you could bend them. I just bought paint striiper from home Depot and some steel wool. The color is an 06 chevy colbolt color dupomt 815K
10-09-2011, 05:51 PM
#57
My 80 is mostly stock, but I have tweaked it a bit.
I added chrome molding strip (yes, the kind sold in rolls at autozone) to the slats in the grill
I also covered the center console/parking brake assembly in leather.
I sourced the leather from a $5 leather coat from my local Goodwill.(sorry, I don't have any pics)
I added chrome molding strip (yes, the kind sold in rolls at autozone) to the slats in the grill
I also covered the center console/parking brake assembly in leather.
I sourced the leather from a $5 leather coat from my local Goodwill.(sorry, I don't have any pics)
10-10-2011, 01:05 AM
#58
Safety Car
Things that are accepted by the old foggy crowd are, dual coffee cup holder on the emergency brake handle, plaster the interior with fake wood stencils, fuzzy steering wheel cover, plastic bag tapped to the dash for old Geritol bottles, hat hook on rear glass for beany driving hat and large sun glasses, and last but not least an envelope stapled to the bottom of the dash for senior citizen coupons to the Old Country Buffet!
10-11-2011, 03:03 AM
#59
Le Mans Master
Hmm I have to admit I really like the idea of a modern remote access control and what's the story with the Metra power antenna?
does it have to extend out to work like the normal antenna or can it be left in its resting positon and still just work as well as the normal one in its extended position?
what's the color of the tanish leather and the tanish carpet on this one and who made the carpet itself?
its very smooth and slick looking carpet and I really like it.
does it have to extend out to work like the normal antenna or can it be left in its resting positon and still just work as well as the normal one in its extended position?
what's the color of the tanish leather and the tanish carpet on this one and who made the carpet itself?
its very smooth and slick looking carpet and I really like it.
10-12-2011, 02:04 PM
#60
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The Metra power antenna goes up when the radio (Kenwood KIV-BT900 Digital Media Receiver) is turned to tuner mode, and goes down in any other mode. It also does not require the a power antenna relay (another possible point of failure with the unreliable factory reproduction). Here's a link to the install article http://www.calweb.com/~griffitt/MetraPowerAntenna.html.
so from a mercedes then? it is downright beautiful