Alex1217

The vette looks incredible!! Great work!!

I think you should enjoy the vette for now, save up and do the GTM conversion when you're ready. Nothing like getting what you really want in life.

For now, drive that beautiful vette as much as possible.

MarkyMarkGTM

I'm really impressed with all of the support for the GTM. From GTM owners it seems that Corvette owners are kinda known for not likeing the car. They don't even look over when next to each other while driving. That however does not seem to be the case on this forum. Everyone seems to like the idea of using a great engine and other parts in another car, some even want to build one themselves. I guess I can put the fire suit away for now.

RSchleder

Maybe I'm missing something here, but my question is why spend all the time/money to redo car if you're planning to "part it out"? Seems to me that if you're parting it out you'd simply advertise the parts that were good on the car after the fire. Why buy replacement parts and install them to simply pull them off to sell them again. What am i missing here?

MarkyMarkGTM

You bring up a valid point. Like I said in the original post, I don't have the money for a GTM right now but I have been "shopping" for a donor car for about three years. They come and go, but this one was a little different. Not many cars are totaled without being involved in a wreck, and this comes into play with the GTM because you need things like the engine, suspension, and other parts that need to be in good working order, not bent or smashed due to an accident. So it was a perfect donor car and for the price of 8K I couldn't pass it up (normally you'd expect to pay between 7-10K for a smashed one) Not the ideal time to buy the donor, but for the price it was hard to beat.

So then I have the option of storing a burned up car for two years or spending a little cash and enjoy driving it for two years. The only pieces I replaced were seats($495) glove box/center console($100) and carpet(about $150) The rest was all clean up, maybe 20 hours worth. So for well under $1,000 I have a nice Corvette to drive around for two years while saving money for the GTM project. So when you say "why spend all the time/money..." the time is not "a lot" in my opinion and the parts would need to be cleaned for resale anyway and the money part is roughly $745 which I feel I can mostly make back by selling the purchased parts when I am done.

I have talked to GTM owners who have successfully parted out their Vettes and have actually made money that way, and have all the parts for the GTM. That means people are buying wrecked cars, pulling engines, suspension, and everything else they need for the kit, then selling off the rest and actually covering the cost of the donor Vette. This is not me speculating what I can part my car out for, this is people who have done it and are telling me they covered the cost of the donor. So when you factor this in to the equation and realize "I can fix this car, drive it for two years, sell the parts and actually make money" my question to you is "why not?"

TWOBUELLS

EXCELLENT JOB , And welcome to the Corrvette experience.

SamSarraf

Great job man..! I'm a big fan of yours

3318C5

WOW!!!!

Mr.Bill

This thread is over 3 years old...lol

MarkyMarkGTM

Hahaha I was very surprised to get an email notification that somebody bumped this.

Car is great and I love it. No GTM in the near future, having too much fun.

chasboy

VETTEV

Very impressive work!

dannyman

3 1/2 years later; you finally update!!

Now that you're back, what did you do for the top. Don't tell us it's still the "tarp and tape".

Glad you took the time to enjoy the ride!!


Dan

CBZZZC5

Looks great

VETJAZZ

Indeed!

Car does look fantastic!

Varmit

Outstanding job, very very impressive !!!!!!

C5Natie

Awesome job man. Shows how far some elbow grease and just a few bucks can go. Good luck with the GTM plans and please post a build thread when the day comes. Im a fan of GTM's. I almost see them like a GM or Corvette based race car, which they basically are. That is a dream project of mine as well.

Yello95

...you are one talented **** with a bright future

MarkyMarkGTM

Made one out of duct tape, used black to match the original. Haha just kidding. Bought a used top from a forum member here for about $600, nearly mint condition and works great. Wrapped the whole car in matte black vinyl two years ago and have done some other appearance/interior mods.

For those that are interested:

Matte Black Vinyl Wrap DIY:
http://http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-general/2928371-vinyl-wrapping-diy-tutorial-lengthy-and-major-pics.html

Alcantara Wrapped Interior/Door Panel DIY: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...up-how-to.html

Wheel Pinstripe DIY:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...al-w-pics.html

Shaved Plate DIY:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...up-how-to.html

Here is the way the car looks currently: