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This is an interesting project!

We helped our client locate this 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray from the United States (his favorite model year of Corvette).

It is a "numbers matching" 'Vette, with the original factory build sheet. It came with the regular horsepower small block V8 and 4 speed manual transmission.

This car would be referred to as a "basket case", we prefer to call it an "abandoned project". It was completely disassembled by a father and son who intended to perform a ground up restoration on it.

This Corvette sat in storage for several years before they decided to give up on it and put it up for sale.

We feel this is one of the best ways to purchase a project vehicle, especially when we will be performing a custom build "Resto Mod".

Our client located a newer fuel injected "LS1" motor with the factory computer and an upgraded automatic transmission (his wife will drive it too). We dry fitted the driveline into the frame and set the body back on to perform some "tweaking" for everything to fit.

The original oil pan was removed, and a custom aluminum pan was fitted (to clear the original frame cross member).

We also replaced the original motor mounts with custom aluminum mount plates (which brings the engine forward a few inches). A transmission mounting plate was also custom made for proper fit.

The original 1972 frame was completely disassembled, completely stripped to metal and received 2 coats of POR15 high gloss paint (after the complete frame was base coated with a special epoxy primer).

Our attention turned to upgrading all brake and suspension components with "the best parts available" upgrading virtually everything! Completely new tie rods, bushings, coil springs, shocks, upgraded rear composite spring, upgraded 4 wheel disc caliper kit.

The rear hubs and bearings were completely rebuilt in house too, and the list goes on and on. The power steering components were also all replaced with all new upgraded parts.

The period correct Rallye Wheel package was upgraded to the best chrome wheels available and upgraded B.F Goodrich Radial T/A were mounted to finish the wheel and tire package. We now have a very nice complete chassis!

Our attention turned to the body shell and all of the body panels next.

This 1972 Corvette body required lots "of love" to bring it back to its original glory. There were several rusted out sections in the lower body (common to Corvettes). All of the main body to frame mount areas needed new metal welded in place. The areas under the lower door hinges also required new steel.

After all of the rusted out areas were cut out and new repair patches were made and welded into place, they received seam sealer and two coats of black rust preventative paint to all needed sections.

The fiberglass body also required several areas of repair. New fiberglass resin and matting was used to repair damaged and cracked sections to the lower front nose, front fenders and rear quarter panel areas. A new aftermarket rear valance section was installed (under the rear taillights and rear bumper area). The custom panel replaces the factory rear panel that originally had large cut outs for rear exiting exhaust.

Our client would like side exhaust pipes, so the original rear holes needed the custom upgraded rear panel. This task was a lot of work. The replacement panel did not fit very well and required a large amount of patience and "tweaking" to make it fit correctly!

The next step was smoothing the body out and preparing it for its custom paint job.

A high build primer was used between each session of block sanding. Numerous hours of block sanding was required. Block sanding began at 120 grit, then 180 grit, next was 240 grit, then 320 grit and finally up to 400 grit with lots of "smoothing" along the way. Once the complete body shell was completed, the doors, T Tops, headlight covers and upgraded "Big Block" hood received the same high build primer and sanding procedure.

Next was the special custom paint job! We started with the original factory "Lemans Blue" but tweaked the metallic content of the original paint recipe. A special amount of sparkle metallic was used to give a very unique paint finish. Five coats of base paint was sprayed first. The Corvette then received seven coats of clear coat.

The paint turned out beautifully! The metallic appears to "dance" in the direct sunlight. We filmed a short YouTube video of the body shell in the sun to show how nice the paint turned out. Visit our YouTube channel to view the video.

http://youtu.be/3Gby37wISIg

The next step was to set the body onto the rebuilt chassis. The body and chassis are now reunited!

A sound insulation package was installed next.

Watch the updated YouTube video here.....

http://youtu.be/BUtRUcxBKc8

Stay tuned as this custom "Resto Mod" build continues......

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