Had my LT1 survivor out for a cruise today.

[firstgenaddict]

I worked like a bandit getting my car ready starting in Feb then after the hectic
April NCRS Regionals in Cincinnati and then the NCRS National show PLUS painted another National Top Flight winning LT1 Roadster in May.
Working like hell through June to get everything ready...
PAYOFF my car won a NCRS National Top Flight in early July - 96.3% the roadster did as well...
I have corrected a few more things and have a couple things I am going to continue to work down... before I go for a DUNTOV next year, after the Performance Verification in Florida early next year.

The paint and details of the car have come along EXTREMELY WELL...

[mockingbird812]

YOWZA!!!!! :drool: Big Congrats. Your efforts are paying off!!

[Spooky]

stunning in that color!

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Just beautiful also nice to hear your hard work's being recognized too!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[L_e_e]

Great car!! and amazing photography!!

[firstgenaddict]

The original lacquer has checks however none of the rivets in the surround have even begun to show... it must be attributed to the fact that the car was never taken out of the garage with the tops in it - and was only driven 400 miles per year from 1973 - 2018.
Plus the owner told me he NEVER WASHED THE CAR with a hose, just a damp rag to wipe it off.
It missed only 176 out of 4510 points- 15 points for paint condition/checking -- the majority lost were due to condition.

[Lynn]

Congrats James.

[firstgenaddict]

I swapped over to running 60-70% Sunoco 110 mixed with ZERO ethanol pump and wow what a difference, I was chasing idle issues and part throttle pops etc... mixed 50% and it cleared up, went a little heavier and it just runs cleaner and DOESN'T LOAD UP.
Engine has never been into - distributor never out and intake never off.
I adjusted valves per JohnZ's specs last year and did the carb and idle today, it pulls 15" vacuum at 900 RPM, wow...

[427TJ]

Stunning! The perfect look.

[L78M22Rag]

Nice looking car and some terrific photos!

[napa68]

I adjusted valves per JohnZ's specs last year and did the carb and idle today, it pulls 15" vacuum at 900 RPM, wow...

That made a big difference in my car as well!

[TimG]

The car looked great at Nationals. It is a beautiful LT1.

[firstgenaddict]

Thanks Tim I am quite satisfied with how the paint has turned out. It was SO dull and dry when I got it.
Here are a few before and after shots of some details where the paint was chipped.

[earntaz]

I got my black 63' Corvette used in late 66' -- West Texas/Eastern NM car and the paint was just like this in many places after only three years of existence ... Blue Corral was the rage back then ... TAZ

[firstgenaddict]

Liberal application of Meguires number 7 with a foam applicator - allow to dry overnight - use a cotton diaper to remove film.
Repeat
Repeat once again.

Once the paint it hydrated and looks like actual an actual GM lacquer finish you can go about with the correction of chips, scratches, & other blemishes etc.

Go around the car with masking tape and mark every area which you will fill with touch up
&
preferably with another color tape mark any scratches, scuffs, anything other than color replacement.

Go around the areas which will not be touched up any scratched areas and use a fine cleaner or a swirl remover and hand polish on the scratch, (something which is very low on cutting) you want to shoot for approx 50% improvement in the scratch or scuff - from the up close perspective.

IF done selectively and addressed individually (vs machine buffing areas) a 50% improvement in scratches can easily be achieved without removing the fine lacquer surface texture while dramatically improving it's exterior presentation.

[73RSLTZ]

Looks great Jag

[firstgenaddict]

One from a few weeks ago... I was having coolant issues, had the fan clutch rebuilt a year ago, along with replacing the waterpump with the correct one and then in Sept -Oct I noticed a small coolant leak. I originally thought it was the radiator and was going to pull it and have a new core installed. I finally traced it to the water pump gasket on the pass side - apparently it was due to my faulty installation over a year ago.
Not a drip after pulling the water pump and putting in a set of NOS gaskets -

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mmifgFe8xCpLnikFDIshQn6tsBn2WWLrFyXrLG3dpYynwfuQ0u bwAQFHLMYHwrF8FSSTpccHY71RYbECxXYkzz29-Qg0MeWqcqSVgEwWbCfuNUZzKfxUWP_IQiA66vWaBH51WY4ThD7 yHD_UQduzL1dZMUJKK9GnDghwNiL7SpOXsddorBtZ8BT72SxTb-WPItK8VMYNzIZqFJhwHLF3A0F2UI_mPXSovUlPTMt3tVM4CjuW 54AB-IEA04XJ_6sekYByEm7Li73mTsXvAaUc3IhknmfBaPag0Cxxg6X H4L2hJmtd8zluwHKb1jSB39SyjDweztKYrDRn3lKy_UzVOALaX CvAoP5i7aw3w-yNUPTo4_P6IkqQl8qFbTjJ2xqANvEj5DUzBUUV58mdpoIWoMQ1 uWnqzlxeUnwqiJOiO2cK7FGgkcQ3-ejYl7FT7mB0ia6Jh0DswoOVvjb5FPwXelHajdT9CY2SJuQnFLr 20dnbvDWck8GQqcr67jOoebZ9hJsXT4b_8VsEf7wS8rjvaE31C QsWNC5Tt_yY3zzwfZ1Akqnn3nc5U1-woy7vrBi1bRHUfR2PB4mF83YE9dAlvVvyIEzOpqUAHG3cBLSC2 lur3LM146zZ7DP18SFcYjWzCFnSnOHORr1Fe4ZZ-1K4VrzSU7RXckibMc_X7qX9FthefaBTEzgrTOJgKnFvf276AYO qXayr7vS0UfzHt_NBrtNF3hHUqY2BvYQzyZ1mE2bK2ic2xFbW1 d8=w1461-h1095-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YJpwumVFdsrK-35SNDrYxC0aislLfzvz5fTW1Zn5bX5Pftu0521aB2RWka4jqxF d0SlACjof_L-BaMTMv5Rx_KrB2BPwXbl_UjtgKDg2qdrpiiimoehlmAGx2b6Un qJj9AB2TqUwGxxNUb66aIH-Rmik4gslKvboIXUiPITQjr8N9EXafy3A0Gwl_lXOWoH8jnjrsy a6MUZg10ZGozqU0qpB2qesD2jLiUN9P4vPO2SmXJ6Z8ViBgD_P Oc1wNtsdkJu-S3ND2W3R0yujV89luR1W7fHL3RgZ_NYwPhT4OrIqi0Ef_dWBow xhCQ8r0GXPBVEFVRaBgOshdiZz8uAJpn7aOKYYHKEz_xV0GYFp qfPPCQUKJXJMJqw1V0f4zTP9XlSADZ5_jnCAZzVrsWz0KHcFUE 5oqCvYTHqznfpKzT2atc7zx7faMnjGz1ubmkmLkwbsNOxR-nfAC7biS9P6zxpu8tBbgkYHEs2U6RqCioa0pVE5ocWb6G0zONy A4N91g5IsFMLxnM6-epT3AijxnastTcnHBzWFgpFLQI6ymVuCKwzBa56lLj9F0XTD0Z IcxMV2YV6BUQw3enfiASjsPopWKNwRUWaKS_xw77mz6qb17Yog 5mej1fnYW4zsCsbgB9GY8tW4Msdh9ldyl7V1DA5Rie_M0ywK58-zdSHACe7S-pkZCE9pom11hWfvx6KeOr8LCCqhcI7OI0JwMhYO9q-_mWUuCDPw6nkYlUXM63OZU4FNa43A0hs=w1550-h854-no

and a few photos from Today...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S_7qp-YS3SQovGF0dtWe4bBs0Vn8_rHIwruxVuL2jJfZqoK5CdHn3x0X 2o2lp3QqmPlZqBCSvtq0-7cVV-Hm5T9or-LiWBZJ8AtPwrfGLlptDRXmTmSGX5SF799QWMSZ1p6ZMoAKTGfy yYci8cBquv43FuOr1d0ol51AsFCOYQIqO_LhTh0BGfiVFCy1nZ NdihihBMEyiscf9RNFjfCHkal5MVzox-9wBaTIys7O7w6SBQnpXSVqkxGvgjuekb9YuLl7PCFU8hlgdgrZ ISyQlv0qSHbD3GOwxHlyg191c7KexlmEN_-nZ5SXqFgAMcSUXvlKP_vmmNLnofu4TqlFLIkTF5873cJZNvxIu zIf1WK-35eF9yXo6KhURffXC3c6F5b2Pp8-eUPgJWOEEIyi8AjQTGcUJSeMOm28wBEfUl4GbSKBIw7AFhWFe3 2G90jWd12RvciyfblwKoV0f6yEGIbInJEGW49_h3_LtGuCwbRB ZD5-aJwRqRWX8FHKs6BGNPbdSmkYHDTN8SgpwGAeu0e8AC4Vs8q_h0 MshBke3XiKmBww4vkhb8_DwGuGoUDtnyFfblK9jQVNINF4uyH0 lwm75q5S9J2aUXjJ6WQ4gitPqBkS2l5a9X9ubtoJkAq9x-dmam6mdgvzpJUvJlo3kNATbnsx2emPBxwBZ4qt2FfCAJaMcRk5 ICaL9lYvvYR2eCgoTwH-bak-6ZStpvEpKWMuYzBIUeusG5_zq4EP3Rs0g5qbFRDBCvw=w1550-h1034-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8VLLzUzwYloxYM2KAd5jPbOpKY7_E4S8WzYK2UYkC6em1ggTY6 2cnkQzzkG6ZBe73MUDC0Nx6pWkWabFUC9fT4BbBSwEAGcKc2BI RK7hHEAA56GKBspr9KuBKaaOHLsaAE5tQ-yOiHxU108swo8L0s88MarwfcFvU2XhzuLeuaQpD23TGxXJUnR_ VQeXvKB-JeSUmd1qTLXgLcLDJAgb-eCIr0lfRRuD3oYHZEzLL9mp0GZqP6I6hJzWnD-5oNLujzeNjH4L620xqxnJip8hzfUwKzLteKT-xQmko4V9O7w3d3hFrcTEgYmillstROB1LPabOwiuE9bd9VmL9Q tZiwPC8u_7q-RFPIFqYYqocbevjC1zrFWFBZPh6n8aUo2IaUl0Lc1Xv582eDTY 9gV0l5i4dmDEr33H3G-R4TVYkWwjYd3QDJuQCLwstFtl00pAdu4zMjvH51uGVHcrOH3B0 rhaumYu3r06HYOXLw60fnk8TEZlHr_BAuoHONe8za0vLROJKP_ 8zqWKSizget2W2K6aLRqzl2nixEXf8HhQqCmFAFha8kCscxlyG Op1GwEWHK4xBUCsBnhuSXq31fzFlYZb9HwvQ_M6hUMHaDDKeEr fBXSVwlVnHcxbI394ahaLYsEiHn9ussCjjTqCPwqHk0XGq40n_ 5c_HoW7QGWR7_ZhmtEeu4_0FwOfOb4vvO5LBe_oz6oCLLwSC-AlVAOR1jCwJxlxzQqdVq0pbyrIFZ9pQKPWRGOwE74=w1550-h1034-no

[Steve Shauger]

Nothing like taking them out and stretching their legs a bit. Great pics James!

[Zedder]

Lookin’ good!

[mockingbird812]

Good on you for taking her out. Woo hoo~~:laugh:

[nova67]

Great car and color!

[TimG]

What fun, they are beautiful cars.

[69LM1]

https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=144954&stc=1&d=1566098450

Love this shot.

/R

[cook_dw]

One from a few weeks ago... I was having coolant issues, had the fan clutch rebuilt a year ago, along with replacing the waterpump with the correct one and then in Sept -Oct I noticed a small coolant leak. I originally thought it was the radiator and was going to pull it and have a new core installed. I finally traced it to the water pump gasket on the pass side - apparently it was due to my faulty installation over a year ago.
Not a drip after pulling the water pump and putting in a set of NOS gaskets -

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mmifgFe8xCpLnikFDIshQn6tsBn2WWLrFyXrLG3dpYynwfuQ0u bwAQFHLMYHwrF8FSSTpccHY71RYbECxXYkzz29-Qg0MeWqcqSVgEwWbCfuNUZzKfxUWP_IQiA66vWaBH51WY4ThD7 yHD_UQduzL1dZMUJKK9GnDghwNiL7SpOXsddorBtZ8BT72SxTb-WPItK8VMYNzIZqFJhwHLF3A0F2UI_mPXSovUlPTMt3tVM4CjuW 54AB-IEA04XJ_6sekYByEm7Li73mTsXvAaUc3IhknmfBaPag0Cxxg6X H4L2hJmtd8zluwHKb1jSB39SyjDweztKYrDRn3lKy_UzVOALaX CvAoP5i7aw3w-yNUPTo4_P6IkqQl8qFbTjJ2xqANvEj5DUzBUUV58mdpoIWoMQ1 uWnqzlxeUnwqiJOiO2cK7FGgkcQ3-ejYl7FT7mB0ia6Jh0DswoOVvjb5FPwXelHajdT9CY2SJuQnFLr 20dnbvDWck8GQqcr67jOoebZ9hJsXT4b_8VsEf7wS8rjvaE31C QsWNC5Tt_yY3zzwfZ1Akqnn3nc5U1-woy7vrBi1bRHUfR2PB4mF83YE9dAlvVvyIEzOpqUAHG3cBLSC2 lur3LM146zZ7DP18SFcYjWzCFnSnOHORr1Fe4ZZ-1K4VrzSU7RXckibMc_X7qX9FthefaBTEzgrTOJgKnFvf276AYO qXayr7vS0UfzHt_NBrtNF3hHUqY2BvYQzyZ1mE2bK2ic2xFbW1 d8=w1461-h1095-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YJpwumVFdsrK-35SNDrYxC0aislLfzvz5fTW1Zn5bX5Pftu0521aB2RWka4jqxF d0SlACjof_L-BaMTMv5Rx_KrB2BPwXbl_UjtgKDg2qdrpiiimoehlmAGx2b6Un qJj9AB2TqUwGxxNUb66aIH-Rmik4gslKvboIXUiPITQjr8N9EXafy3A0Gwl_lXOWoH8jnjrsy a6MUZg10ZGozqU0qpB2qesD2jLiUN9P4vPO2SmXJ6Z8ViBgD_P Oc1wNtsdkJu-S3ND2W3R0yujV89luR1W7fHL3RgZ_NYwPhT4OrIqi0Ef_dWBow xhCQ8r0GXPBVEFVRaBgOshdiZz8uAJpn7aOKYYHKEz_xV0GYFp qfPPCQUKJXJMJqw1V0f4zTP9XlSADZ5_jnCAZzVrsWz0KHcFUE 5oqCvYTHqznfpKzT2atc7zx7faMnjGz1ubmkmLkwbsNOxR-nfAC7biS9P6zxpu8tBbgkYHEs2U6RqCioa0pVE5ocWb6G0zONy A4N91g5IsFMLxnM6-epT3AijxnastTcnHBzWFgpFLQI6ymVuCKwzBa56lLj9F0XTD0Z IcxMV2YV6BUQw3enfiASjsPopWKNwRUWaKS_xw77mz6qb17Yog 5mej1fnYW4zsCsbgB9GY8tW4Msdh9ldyl7V1DA5Rie_M0ywK58-zdSHACe7S-pkZCE9pom11hWfvx6KeOr8LCCqhcI7OI0JwMhYO9q-_mWUuCDPw6nkYlUXM63OZU4FNa43A0hs=w1550-h854-no

and a few photos from Today...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S_7qp-YS3SQovGF0dtWe4bBs0Vn8_rHIwruxVuL2jJfZqoK5CdHn3x0X 2o2lp3QqmPlZqBCSvtq0-7cVV-Hm5T9or-LiWBZJ8AtPwrfGLlptDRXmTmSGX5SF799QWMSZ1p6ZMoAKTGfy yYci8cBquv43FuOr1d0ol51AsFCOYQIqO_LhTh0BGfiVFCy1nZ NdihihBMEyiscf9RNFjfCHkal5MVzox-9wBaTIys7O7w6SBQnpXSVqkxGvgjuekb9YuLl7PCFU8hlgdgrZ ISyQlv0qSHbD3GOwxHlyg191c7KexlmEN_-nZ5SXqFgAMcSUXvlKP_vmmNLnofu4TqlFLIkTF5873cJZNvxIu zIf1WK-35eF9yXo6KhURffXC3c6F5b2Pp8-eUPgJWOEEIyi8AjQTGcUJSeMOm28wBEfUl4GbSKBIw7AFhWFe3 2G90jWd12RvciyfblwKoV0f6yEGIbInJEGW49_h3_LtGuCwbRB ZD5-aJwRqRWX8FHKs6BGNPbdSmkYHDTN8SgpwGAeu0e8AC4Vs8q_h0 MshBke3XiKmBww4vkhb8_DwGuGoUDtnyFfblK9jQVNINF4uyH0 lwm75q5S9J2aUXjJ6WQ4gitPqBkS2l5a9X9ubtoJkAq9x-dmam6mdgvzpJUvJlo3kNATbnsx2emPBxwBZ4qt2FfCAJaMcRk5 ICaL9lYvvYR2eCgoTwH-bak-6ZStpvEpKWMuYzBIUeusG5_zq4EP3Rs0g5qbFRDBCvw=w1550-h1034-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8VLLzUzwYloxYM2KAd5jPbOpKY7_E4S8WzYK2UYkC6em1ggTY6 2cnkQzzkG6ZBe73MUDC0Nx6pWkWabFUC9fT4BbBSwEAGcKc2BI RK7hHEAA56GKBspr9KuBKaaOHLsaAE5tQ-yOiHxU108swo8L0s88MarwfcFvU2XhzuLeuaQpD23TGxXJUnR_ VQeXvKB-JeSUmd1qTLXgLcLDJAgb-eCIr0lfRRuD3oYHZEzLL9mp0GZqP6I6hJzWnD-5oNLujzeNjH4L620xqxnJip8hzfUwKzLteKT-xQmko4V9O7w3d3hFrcTEgYmillstROB1LPabOwiuE9bd9VmL9Q tZiwPC8u_7q-RFPIFqYYqocbevjC1zrFWFBZPh6n8aUo2IaUl0Lc1Xv582eDTY 9gV0l5i4dmDEr33H3G-R4TVYkWwjYd3QDJuQCLwstFtl00pAdu4zMjvH51uGVHcrOH3B0 rhaumYu3r06HYOXLw60fnk8TEZlHr_BAuoHONe8za0vLROJKP_ 8zqWKSizget2W2K6aLRqzl2nixEXf8HhQqCmFAFha8kCscxlyG Op1GwEWHK4xBUCsBnhuSXq31fzFlYZb9HwvQ_M6hUMHaDDKeEr fBXSVwlVnHcxbI394ahaLYsEiHn9ussCjjTqCPwqHk0XGq40n_ 5c_HoW7QGWR7_ZhmtEeu4_0FwOfOb4vvO5LBe_oz6oCLLwSC-AlVAOR1jCwJxlxzQqdVq0pbyrIFZ9pQKPWRGOwE74=w1550-h1034-no



You weren’t the only one that got their rides out! :burnout:

[duskblue]

nice car James.

[RALLY]

Beautiful Vette. Yes it pays to always install good factory gaskets. I heard of guys going the cheap way with intake gaskets and have them fail with a coolant leak. Not good. Your car looks great. Enjoy.

[firstgenaddict]

I've got to get a GOPRO so I can film more video - setting the Canon up in the car for video is nearly impossible!

[scuncio]

Great car and pics.

[firstgenaddict]

https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=144954&stc=1&d=1566098450

Love this shot.

/R

Thanks Rich, that is my favorite shot of the car as well... really shows off the "coke bottle" shape of C3's.
Just so happens that the room above my garage is about 15 feet off the driveway... which makes as close to a perfect over head position as one could hope to achieve without designing for it.

[dykstra]

Beautiful car!!

[L72Biscayne]

Yes, It was a nice day for a ride. Just put a set of F-60 Goodyears on.

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Love that color!!

[napa68]

Yes, It was a nice day for a ride. Just put a set of F-60 Goodyears on.

Is that the car James had?

[firstgenaddict]

Is that the car James had?

Don't think so mine had 4.10's.

[L72Biscayne]

Is that the car James had?
No, Mine has 3.73 gear. I bought it in 1987 then sold it in 1991 then bought it back in 2001.

[Crush]

So your not the only one who buys their cars back....@napa68!!

[napa68]

So your not the only one who buys their cars back....@napa68!!

LOL. Wish I had that car again!

[firstgenaddict]

My brother and I took our cars out and shot some photos together last weekend and framed some shots with us and the cars for our dad for father's day...
Something crazy about our Corvettes in relation to our own births.
My 71 LT1 was built 7/18/71 - 9 months prior to my birth 4/13/72 & My Brother's 73 L82 was built 10/11/72 9 months prior to his birth 7/2/73 as well. I mean like nearly to the day...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3ecGyce5lXrCEgj7lhKWwdJ37o6yE7D_s7Jq5V-cQNxcazi03pQbC8JMGp4zeFppH7F1PyD7q8D7xOgaeJFdPtzMP ByaoWQkPWGAJyN5PL7GWsVbrQTUaYZ5utNRDXZkRbj8h7e8Iqx rqN1RA7ThHhgoQ=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fb18kkptVsZsgUxQooiVWKbAQNEu4bursJ8tfEMrMhjSITRQT HGdzKiOjRd8UCh8O2soH0ZFnoRPVyE9qjzNoFYEkJGGFqo_86F jIv49rsx-CmejkTY6SFv0L1lOO3WnGXyvACojcISUKS83MaqFYQ7A=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3cZRy-uEaK397J1b0kF-KonMsh1iSUHCQ1pDOa4QQygkNbDe00yAICV8G4bIKr4iT-vrK4zu82bEGe4JwM2hq8YgykcF-8meMvosoQDDrgj1BuM_n1BJSbcgyYL8CIQY1NImwPmcGdd3iF0 qo0fqkzWMg=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3ctIqf60ioORSesoVpsMbrl5CCNh7v3Pbj2qjNQlXUGSPfeDM7 ps9HLXxhxpjYIaB9FVqL0UGk32kGqwyAHRTUmKJubLJjfefxAu 3lfHDg_oS9YHT6gJstKKJi8H2M6lqATmzlwro12HQTqH6rrV8f nQw=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3cNr1kCTt2ObrW6MLkSVttH08Nb40uemmyhK4vJvro-5mAAwQ2tf5Id6vseNE5zA0ZACab-PiQ1_VbHKGExQ4MXRThkOBq7UfaKcltxpcGMJ7z9L1BP7q65vg PO4F-CVgVnyEmC4xWma4kClKO6F2bU2Q=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3feP5So4aQ2SPHOAMPTWVw8m6C_mTQtRUZilneavEJd9_PIiH_ DkpU75mHa1r0ENgNmYkbpYzpEcLwlZcPw5BLWtOLLVtRjZTxB0 OAxVrRxP9huQG2dC_ej88fRvMToqmVBhz_B7YuLzNPtIEiRj8j prg=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3c0xZWrYKYZSL4Iix1qOf05DVUDnQiz12MJlJ7VkLfIEddhwj3 8IYmAkCfNr0S7nLnXQdOFe7m-O1_pyCEKtyOcEv1cvmwt22WRXf16Azouz155wZWIne77RxUU0j V5-Gpt3r2aF7ORqyVy8g1FvrEfVA=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fdknowf4nsfWYNLe47Nr-8yT2GofO04bedfYAQYUAxVpWt4NYiHFXnRQEqM-C1P7Z8HEJcoOCL8nDTa688olba9KnYa6Y0nWBv3em0uKM5DLP7 ddXJthDdfYb8XfQjcBb9K5L_EVfVCvlLH5pvgNv8dA=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3ceNGEDtu-9IPLJ9Wd5l_vA9xNY174tvv1ArGEHY0rU3PlBuGVrwu2sZOKMr 6bXyrB97w3pYo1LQhB0JC1Awcx6StbdQL3KMHM-gAnDwd4ipShBfl9UFfFs86K06zVAFaNxBdwNE0zej2XLhH_uh_ _s0w=w1240-h828-no?authuser=0

[AnthonyS]

^ very cool! All the way around.

[cruiserofland]

very, very cool, and crazy about those dates!

[Ralph Spears]

You need some Firestone 500 tires for that 73

[njsteve]

Too dangerous to put Firestone 500s on it. You cant drive it then. Heck, you can't even sit the car on them as they tend to explode without warning. I've had three do that - even exploding while not mounted on rims - the steel belts are under tension and they snap internally.

The repro Goodyear Steelgard GR70x15's are correct for 73 Corvettes. They ride nice, too.

This was a zero mile 1973 tire after being on the SD455 Firebird for a week. The car never left the garage - just sat on the set. I opened the garage door one day and saw that the Firebird was sitting at an angle. This was an unused 500 that was actually from the spare tire well of a 73 Corvette prior to my purchase of the tire. Imagine what would have happened if this occurred while driving - especially on a Corvette - you'd lose the fender.

[mockingbird812]

Dems some sweet shots! Looks like BLAST!!!!:biggthumpup:

[1crossram]

Nice cars and great photography as well. The ones with the wall of graffiti look wonderful.

[firstgenaddict]

There is no way anyone in our family would ever drive on a tire of any such vintage on a public road at this point in our lives, much less in Survivor original paint Corvettes, we didn't drive the cars after they were delivered until I got Rusty on the line and got a set of repro Goodyears on the way.



back to the Black car... WE have a set of Firestone 500's which are set to go on a set of original ralleys.
We are debating using a tube, or perhaps filling with a flexible foam, only for rolling on NCRS or Bloomington show fields. Even though not original Firestones I wouldn't drive it when I flew to upstate NY and looked at it because of the tires(I knew they were maybe late 70's old, My brother works for Firestone and he checked, turns out the nearly new tires were dated 75 and 77, front and rear respectively)
I put it in gear and let out the clutch to the end of the drive, reverse, backed up the drive swerved the steering, everything pretty much worked, when I saw it had the original exhaust head pipes the original exhaust manifold to pipe nuts were still in place, trans has never been out and all of the weatherstripping was devoid of paint overspray...
The owner was a long time NCRS member, restored straight axle cars in the 70's and 80's, bought this car in the late 80's from a fellow Corvette collector, got into Harleys, stored it in a bubble with desicant pouches every winter, brought it home in his heated garage in the spring and then drove the Harleys, wash rinse repeat... year after year. Car accumulated 1000 miles since 1990, he had recently rebuilt the original dated master cylinder, it had the original plug wires on it 2nd Quarter 72, we paid him advertised asking price and felt fortunate to have the opportunity, he told my brother he felt it was going to a the right home... it was probably me refusing to leave his driveway in it and telling him I would appreciate it if he didn't drive it on the road with the tires.

Here are the old Radial T/A's it was wearing...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3c4zJE-Zg8oko1LLkxPmmyInkJPRKFiIjyT8SHSPNhbFVUbp3cLRbeuMm 4U28Q-VLhE7lpKoG_5SPjv8ml0Poh-XOwptpeO9dpG_4ykg7_VDmh92Yh1UKyc0qZNMI4zaxDp6ymY9U l1C1C83gvrbmaiqg=w1240-h722-no?authuser=0


NCRS has numerous tales of the old Firestone 500's blowing apart in cars and tearing tire tubs apart.
That's where they most commonly lurk on 73-75?76? Corvettes, typically the tires didn't blow out and they were replaced with another tire and the car went on about it's life, and the spare wasn't ever cycled in rotation or changed in sets of 5, the spare lurked like a time bomb.

[njsteve]

Beautiful car! I have never found a reason why GM issued that "No black paint except for Cadillac" rule in 1972 and 73. (Unless you knew how to get around it with a special order fee, of course)

Anyone have any info?

I don't think there is anyway to make one of the hand grenade tires safe for display on the car. As I mentioned, I've had them blow apart while not on a rim (obviously with no air inside). And depending on how severe the belt rupture is, I could still hurt the fender or fenderwell.

Once again, that black 73 looks awesome and the green LT1, too. :-)

[Ralph Spears]

I have 12 Firestone 500 tires in my garage White stripe & White Lettered some still have air in them.

[73RSLTZ]

Thank you everyone.

[firstgenaddict]

Beautiful car! I have never found a reason why GM issued that "No black paint except for Cadillac" rule in 1972 and 73. (Unless you knew how to get around it with a special order fee, of course)

Anyone have any info?

I don't think there is anyway to make one of the hand grenade tires safe for display on the car. As I mentioned, I've had them blow apart while not on a rim (obviously with no air inside). And depending on how severe the belt rupture is, I could still hurt the fender or fenderwell.

Once again, that black 73 looks awesome and the green LT1, too. :-)

They had a no black paint edict on Corvettes from 1970 - 1976 in response to many complaints about the wavy bodies. HOWEVER
I know of (2) 71's with original black paint LT1 coupe and LS5 roadster - (1) 72 base coupe and we know there were (30) 73's in L82 and LS4 one with a red and one with a blue interior. I have seen a 76 L82 in black as well.

If they can come apart without any air pressure or external forces besides 45 year old residual manufacturing stresses THE tires should be in a metal cage.

[Zedder]

I was judging Bow Tie class at the Corvette Museum in 96 or 97...beautiful 1975 Convertible with sub 2,500 miles was going through PV and the owner was cautioned about using the original tires, but did any way. Left rear quarter was busted up pretty bad when the tire blew.

[firstgenaddict]

I was judging Bow Tie class at the Corvette Museum in 96 or 97...beautiful 1975 Convertible with sub 2,500 miles was going through PV and the owner was cautioned about using the original tires, but did any way. Left rear quarter was busted up pretty bad when the tire blew.

Thanks Zedder, That's the nightmare, although I would never do a PV with the tires and IMHO the NCRS PV judge should really refuse (safety Hazard) to ride in a car with the tires... after all you have to drive at highway speeds and accelerate to 90% of redline etc for the PV.

FWIW I remember the story about the 1000 mile 73 Super Duty which lost a tire or two...

Zedder if you are still looking for a LT1 I know of a one owner 71 Steel Cities over black 33k mile 2 top original paint roadster in the low 40's and a 72 LT1 coupe Original paint Targa blue over black - one owner until august 2018 and had the brochures and dealer paper at that time- now priced in the -mid 30's.
NEITHER is showing any head lamp bar rivet swells what so ever.

[Zedder]

Thanks Jag...I appreciate you offering to help out. I need to get the Camaro home and in the garage before I consider something else. I just started working 3 days per week 2 weeks ago due to the Covid shut down up here and I am nervous about spending anything more right now (plus our dollar is super low against the US buck). I’ll probably leave the search on hold until this thing is behind us. I’ll reach out to you when I am ready again.

BTW, both LT-1’s sound awesome!