I'm looking at a 69 vette (possible addition to my 1-car chevelle stable) but haven't physically seen the car yet. The owner tells me the front fender, lower panel and core need replaced.
Does anyone have an idea how much this would cost or how difficult this is to repair? And what kind of questions should I be asking?
I'm not registered on the corvette wbsite and thought maybe someone here would have some info. I just don't want to drive 3 hours to look at it before I know what I might need to do to make it driveable.

Thanks,

Scott

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Scott Wolfe
Leck Kill, Pa.
70 Chevelle SS L34

I have a 74 convertible and I've done some of the fiberglass repair on it. It really isn't that hard, but all the pros would make you think so as they charge a fortune to work on a Vette. Your car should be pretty simple since it's actually fiberglass instead of Sheet Moulded Compound (SMC) like mine.

The lower panel should be easy, as it's just a bolt on part.

The hardest of all will be the core support, since the hood, radiator and shroud among many other things will have to come off. Anyone whos worked on a Vette with a radiator leak will let you know about this one. It's not hard, just alot of work.

I'm a member of the Vette site. Do yourself a favor and register over there. Many knowledgeable people in the C3 section and they are always willing to help just like here!!

One last note, if you're gonna drive that far to see the Vette, have him send pics of the damage first. It's alot quicker then driving and one mans repair can be someone else's total loss..............let me know if you need anything else!!



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Thanks,

Tony Z

Try http://www.ecklers.com/
FYI,looks like the front fender alone is $280.

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Bill Burke
TC#613
ACES#3920
'68 Corvette L-79 coupe
'80 Camaro 383
'02 Corvette Convert.

'68 Corvette L-79 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/68vette.jpg)
'80 Camaro RS (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Bills80camaro.jpg)
'02 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/CorvetteFront.JPG)

If your talking front fender, lower panel and core support, you've gone all the way around the radiator and all the vacuum operated headlights, fan shroud, fan, water pump, braces/brackets etc. Look at all this stuff. If the car is non-op, it should be a REAL bargain before you jump in.

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Dave Bradley
www.corvetteforum.net/classics/d1_bradley (http://www.temp.corvetteforum.net/classics/d1_bradley)
'69 SS396 ragtop
'33 3W Coupe
'65 Vette BB Roadster

Curious on price...
With some know how, I have no reason to bealive you cannot do this yourself. But as you probably know, vette engines are jampacked, so you may have trouble getting to, removing, and replacing the core.

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-1978 El Camino-
www.geocities.com/sleepyli0n/MyCar.html

Thanks to all you guys for the responses. I will ask him to email me pictures before making the drive and I will definately take the advice and register on that vette site. If they're half as helpful as the guys here I might get myself vettesmart over there! Also, thanks for the website! I've got to dig around on that some more!

This guy has classic tags on this vette and his asking price is $8000 negotiable. It's a 69 with T-tops and he states it is a #'s matching 350/350 hp with a 4 speed. The add states 68,500 miles and he has told me the headlight vaccums work but the wiper door does not. Also informed me the clock is the only gauge that doesn't work. He told me the seats were reupholstered but the carpet and door panels were not. He has some funky looking hood on it and custom wheels but he does have the original hood. No original ralley wheels. He also says he has some extra parts(3 nos door hinges, a 6 quart oil pan and a muncie shifter) for it. He informed me the engine is #'s matching but he doesn't know if the rearend or tranny are.
I don't know if I'm knowledgeable enough to work on one but the way you Chevelle guys have helped me with my 70 I thought maybe I could tackle something like this that wouldn't require a ton of work with the help of the guys on the vette site. I just thought the price wasn't too bad if it didn't take a ton of work.

Thanks again you guys! I'm going to go register on the vette site!



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Scott Wolfe
Leck Kill, Pa.
70 Chevelle SS L34

There are alot of sharp cookies over at www.corvetteforum.com (http://www.corvetteforum.com) but there are alot of them that dont turn wrenches unlike over here.
I'm currently doing a partial resto on a 64 coupe for a woman. And even for a damn good mechanic(me) there is a hell of a lot of work in getting one of these cars right. Not to mention the cost of any part.
Every time I touch a part on this vette there is something else that needs attention And this thing looked like it was in good shape. You've got to really crawl up under them & inspect everywhere for cracks or hidden damage to the body.
Just to give you a piont of reference I've replaced all the wiring,suspension, body mounts,clutch linkage and alot of corroded hardware to the tune of $7500 and I still cant get it out of the garage because the heater core is shot and the radiator petcock wont seal.
Good luck to you
IMHO leave the vettes to the people with a fat bank account and go with classic iron instead. True you can sink just as much into a old A body but your dollars sure go alot further on a 'velle than a 'vette.

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Philip Mullaly
72 TPI El Camino
You can never fix a Ford,You can only work on them alot.
70 442 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/442lftsd.jpg)
The Z-meano (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Caminoside.jpg)
Cowl induction injection (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tpienglft.jpg)