1967 Corvette Roadster L79 2 Tops

[napa68]

Within the last 2 weeks, I caught a wiff of a 67 roadster from another forum member. He gave me the back story of the car, along with some pics of the car, engine pad, trim tag, VIN tag, and the like.

The car sounded like it may prove to be a good car for the dealership, as I always have people looking for a good 67 L79. It was thought that the car was primarily an original paint car, coming from it's 2nd owner (owned since 1975) in North Carolina. 51k miles, born with drivetrain, and largely left alone. The car was represented to have it's original POP, owners manual / bag, and a tank sticker that is still on the tank. A low option car, only equipped with the aforementioned L79, 4 speed, 3.36 posi, AM / FM, whitewalls, and auxiliary hardtop.

Fast forward to this past Saturday when the car got delivered. At this point, I'm soured by some of the BS that occurs with the transport piece of it, as well as a car that gets out of the trailer running on 7 cylinders. I'm thinking to myself, what kind of POS did I buy now??

Right away on Saturday, I took the car for a ride......not happy. It runs REALLY warm. I went to task to see if I could get this thing sorted out. First of all, the car had an aftermarket Holley on it with an electric choke. I knew that going into this (in addition to the car coming with it's original 3810 Holley). The vacuum advance was hooked to ported vacuum, and the timing was retarded. Changing that to full vacuum, and setting the timing to 36 degrees all in, lowered the coolant temp to 215-220 neighborhood. Mind you, this car has it's original radiator. It ran better, but still missing. Let it cool off and pull the plugs. The #1 cylinder plug was carbon fouled. All the others are dead lean.

I checked the resistance in the plug wires, and all checked out at 10k ohms or less. Hmmmm, no smoking gun there. Take a compression test, all the cylinders are between 175-185. Now I can relax a bit. I decided to pull the thermostat and change out the 195 stat that is in it. That was it for the day. I just decided to drink beer and look at it.

It was at this point, my piss poor attitude started to turn. The body on the car is to die for, as is the paint, as is the interior, as are all of the little numbers. I could go on.

First thing this morning, I'm in the shop screwing in new set of plugs. Fire it up, not bad. I then turned to the original 3810 Holley. The carb appeared to have been restored at one time, and definitely long ago. The box it came in would dictate it was done by Holley. I pulled everything apart, and all looked good. So, WTF.........throw it on. Hmmm.......wow.......this thing runs pretty good! Get it up to temp (now running at 165), now we got something!

I just got back from a 10 mile ride. what a treat! Yeah, the tires are eggs and drive like crap....I can easily fix that. Next on the list, I'm going to pull the fuel tank and get a good look at the tank sticker. I'll gently clean, photograph, and get it sent off to NCRS for validation. Al Grenning is sending me the paperwork to validate the engine, trim tag, and POP.

I'll post as I give this car the spa treatment. I won't need much. Just a good deep cleaning, change out a few non OE parts, and document all of the numbers in the car. The VIN on this car is #142. First day of production. There are a ton of cool details on an early car like this.

Yeah........I'm not selling this car. I'll have to figure out what other car I'll sell now.

https://i.imgur.com/UOU8nSMh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wZGpUvKh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0vCLHoph.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7p6cuElh.jpg

Still has the tits on it:smile:
https://i.imgur.com/OjxiOp5h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8AYuuddh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/01IZfD8h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eI3vfu9h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZbaWvTeh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ezMM6poh.jpg

[Too Many Projects]

Tim, if it will help relieve the congestion around there with cars, I have a space in my pole building, with concrete floor, to store the '68 Camaro for the rest of the summer/fall for you...:biggthumpup:

I could even offer to exercise it occasionally, to keep the fluids fresh and circulated...:laugh:

I would go so far as to offer to come get it and return it, but I doubt you want it transported on an open trailer.
Let me know if I can help you out, Bud...:3gears:

[Lynn]

Mitch; you rat bastard. I was reading through Tim's post and was planning on an almost identical response .... except I was going to offer free storage for this red Corvette. Sherri loves the mid year convertible's especially in red, but can't stand red interior.

So this one checks the boxes for sure. What a find.

Congrats Tim. Always refreshing to see good things happen to good people.

[TimG]

Very nice car, Tim. It seems as if every early L79 built has an assembly code of V0818HT.
No way to fake that stamp, I have eight different examples in my files.

[60sStuff]

Tim,
Ya know …. love is a bitch …. sometimes.

You sure seem to be a hell of a mechanic, and prove it time after time.

Neat ‘67 🍻.

Chris

[Ralph Spears]

Move the alternator belt tensioning brace to the correct position,

[RPOLS3]

Love it.

Dad had the same car but with A/C for almost 30 years........sold it to a forum member here a while back.

[67since67]

I would go so far as to offer to come get it and return it, but I doubt you want it transported on an open trailer.
Let me know if I can help you out, Bud...:3gears:

I have enclosed trailer......and I'm closer than Lynn..:grin:

Geezuz Tim, does EVERY survivor Corvette pass through your hands at some point???

[dykstra]

Beautiful Tim!!!

[Too Many Projects]

Love it.

Dad had the same car but with A/C for almost 30 years........sold it to a forum member here a while back.
I know it's just an old pic, but it looks like it still has cow shit on the side...:tongue:

[olredalert]

----Tim,,,Love everything about this 67. One thing is the yellowed floormats, love 'em! They are worth more than 100 sets of new clear ones. I'm always on the lookout for them. Appears that the car came with white wall Laredos. I put together a set of 5 for my coupe as it came with Laredos. They are on the original bolt-ons. The car is sitting on a set of TTD's with Bluestreaks right now and I love the look. I have a few extras to get you started if you want to show the car, and I know where a few others are that were a bit too pricey for me. To me red lines get lost on a red car....Bill S

[TimG]

Laredos are my favorite. When you see them on a car, you know they are not a reproduction tire.

[napa68]

----I have a few extras to get you started if you want to show the car, and I know where a few others are that were a bit too pricey for me.

Hmmmm.........

Thanks for the kind words Bill. The more I work on this car, the more I love it!

[napa68]

Progress report for 7.23.24

https://i.imgur.com/uZThHXUh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GjZamX9h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/phe5rJqh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FqRYYAVh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JevOlq4h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yulAE8Ih.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zWmidpSh.jpg

[Big Block Bill]

They're only Original once, it looks to be in just beautiful condition. Congratulations on getting another one. Bill

[69M22Z]

Awesome!!!

[SupremeDeluxe]

That's a very nice 67. 67 L-79 convert is the one everyone seems to want...

Like I said yesterday....thank goodness no one hacked it up for side exhaust.

[60sStuff]

Another 1967 L-79 Red Convertible with hardtop, but with Red interior I remembered seeing back in Feb. 2024.

[60sStuff]

I tried to clean it a bit.

So cool to have these on the ‘67.

[Ralph Spears]

Who was the selling dealer zone 16 dealer 007

[dykstra]

Who was the selling dealer zone 16 dealer 007

Hi Ralph. I think the dealer number is 087? I did a search for zone 16 dealer 007 and all it showed was Zone 16 as North Carolina.
I searched for zone 16 and dealer 087 and came up with “Brook Chevrolet”

[dykstra]

The second owner of this car is from North Carolina too. I wonder if the car spent its whole life in NC?

[napa68]

The second owner of this car is from North Carolina too. I wonder if the car spent its whole life in NC?

Until now, it's always been a NC car.

[napa68]

Today's results........

Cleaned and detailed the back of the car before I installed the spare tire carrier.
https://i.imgur.com/QINMyhxh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bXUV8ykh.jpg

Installed new wires, and found the crayon marks for the suffix
https://i.imgur.com/SGgOOJeh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ba2BWzIh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/49P2o6Dh.jpg

Does anyone have a nice D308 non "R" cap? I have a proper home for it!
https://i.imgur.com/kibD1nMh.jpg

Original starter
https://i.imgur.com/24UXFUYh.jpg

And a new set of Power Cushions to finish up the day
https://i.imgur.com/eLnIKTuh.jpg

[69M22Z]

Awesome!!!

[TimG]

I love the HT on the side of the block.

[67since67]

Looks so, so good with white stripes!! :biggthumpup:

[olredalert]

----Tim,,,Many Laredo whitewalls possibly available in the post above yours, some NOS I believe....Bill S

[napa68]

I've been cruising the car this weekend. Can't stop driving it. Here are a couple of pics from this morning with the hardtop off and convert top down:naughty:

[dykstra]

Such a beautiful car Tim. Congrats again.

[napa68]

This morning I was photographing items needed for the CCAS submission. I thought some of you may find the suffix mark on the front of the right cylinder head interesting.....

https://i.imgur.com/fav68Roh.jpg

[MosportGreen66]

Great car Tim! As always you're bring it to the next level

[SBR]

Very nice car Tim, congrats. I think it will take Al about 5 seconds to certify that pad. It's beautiful.

[napa68]

Very nice car Tim, congrats. I think it will take Al about 5 seconds to certify that pad. It's beautiful.

Thanks Steve!!

Here is one of the pics I sent Al.......

https://i.imgur.com/LYrWnLoh.jpg

[napa68]

The 67 has aftermarket parts store exhaust on it. I knew that going in.

A friend of mine took an interest in the car, and hooked me up (for a sweet deal) a set of gently used GM Off Road mufflers and pipes (welded). I was then lucky enough to find a pair of the correct NOS sweged front pipes.

Some days you are just lucky!

https://i.imgur.com/7J39sPKh.jpg

[RPOLS3]

Dad's 67 L79 had the welded GM off road system and there is hardly a sweeter sound than a factory hi-po small block exiting through that system (except maybe a solid lifter big block with factory side pipes.....)

[SBR]

Tim, that exhaust system will be perfect for that car. The only thing needed to make it look assembly line would be to remove the part #s from the mufflers but I am sure you know that. Great car.

[dykstra]

Dad's 67 L79 had the welded GM off road system and there is hardly a sweeter sound than a factory hi-po small block exiting through that system (except maybe a solid lifter big block with factory side pipes.....)

I remember he would buzz that thing to 6 grand and the gurgle between shifts! What a sound!!:worship:

[TimG]

I did a workshop on removing the part numbers from an over the counter GM exhaust, we repeated this seminar at the 2023 Texas Regional.
The results were fantastic and this N11 system is on my 1967 L79 coupe.

[napa68]

Yesterday, I had a chance to install the NOS N11 exhaust system on the 67. I got the mufflers from a friend in New York. He's probably had them for about 20 years. While Gardner's does an impeccable job on their product, nothing seems to fit like NOS. As you can imagine, it kind of fell into the car if you will.

So I get everything finished up and go to light the candle. I'm thinking to myself.......this doesn't sound like N11 exhaust?? And then this started flying all over.

https://i.imgur.com/BuJaiweh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WTrV7Ish.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vpGfcETh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dT5no5Wh.jpg

Looks like my buddy sent me a little more than the exhaust. Now it sounds like N11 should:)

[olredalert]

----Any bones included?....Bill S

[Too Many Projects]

Yep, mice LOVE mufflers. They are like a multi room condo to them...:grin:

[67since67]

Now Tim, you need to take it out and blow those mufflers out reeal good... :3gears:

[dykstra]

Now Tim, you need to take it out and blow those mufflers out reeal good... :3gears:

All in favor say “I”:beers: I

[SupremeDeluxe]

Now Tim, you need to take it out and blow those mufflers out reeal good... :3gears:

Keep it under 5K RPM, I'd like it to stay intact until you sell it to me (someday).

[napa68]

Keep it under 5K RPM, I'd like it to stay intact until you sell it to me (someday).

Lol. You'll need some money to boot on that old K10 you bought:wink:

[napa68]

Now Tim, you need to take it out and blow those mufflers out reeal good... :3gears:

All in favor say “I”:beers: I

Keep it under 5K RPM, I'd like it to stay intact until you sell it to me (someday).

It sounds gooooood:burnout: I don't know if I can get a sound clip worth a sh!t to post.

[Too Many Projects]

I figured you weren't going to need any coaxing to give those mufflers a good blow out...:biggthumpup:

[napa68]

Idle hands are the are the devil's.............

https://i.imgur.com/bLCsvyah.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qnk0phsh.jpg

The right side spindle bearing and trailering arm bushing had some slop. I had a vibration in the right rear I just could not quite get out of it. It would also act a little squirrely under hard acceleration and hard braking. It's always the rear alignment changing around.

[napa68]

Time to start preparing for judging.......
https://i.imgur.com/vjuye4mh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6gXSzYLh.jpg

[napa68]

I'm wrapping up this phase of the detailing. While the distributor was out, a new set of points was in order....
https://i.imgur.com/rlh7niVh.jpg

I had an NOS set of intake gaskets stashed away for this car (it had Fel Pro's in it) along with assembly line end seals...
https://i.imgur.com/X1srxlLh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/61nStDHh.jpg

This was reported to be the original 326 water pump that came with the car. The date spread is a little wide IMO (April 66 pump for an August built engine). I had that rebuilt along with a gentle cleaning of the engine compartment. A few details of original components....
https://i.imgur.com/oElFIPXh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xuP8FZgh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3OOw9l6h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fAyMZNEh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MUNbLhGh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X4e9WY2h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/sSniDVEh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xnTDyUWh.jpg

A friend of mine had a 1 year only 40433 AC fuel pump. Fred worked his magic on that...

The exhaust manifolds had some type of coating on them, to say nothing for having gaskets installed between the manifolds and the heads. I removed them, cleaned them in the bead blast cabinet, and dusted on a little engine paint where I have noticed it on real low mile examples. I proceeded to then soak the manifolds on Boshield. My experience is they will burn in real nicely and just have some remains of engine paint left. Very thin layer of copper RTV was used between the manifold and the head.
https://i.imgur.com/g9zqQboh.jpg

An overall pic of the engine compartment. I am waiting on the original fan clutch to be rebuilt. I sent that out last week to Dan Kirkonnell http://www.kirkconnellcorvettes.com/
https://i.imgur.com/3apOwRxh.jpg

And the chassis after cleaning. Last year I had sourced all NOS exhaust for the car....
https://i.imgur.com/69F3mjyh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eQoeWoqh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Dvi5pD4h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/hDqBidYh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gIiu9Byh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Xd7MkwDh.jpg

I have a set of single crimp brake hoses on deck courtesy of Tim Gilmore, along with a set of calipers that are distinct to 65,66, and some real early 67's. I am sending those out to Lonestar Caliper to be sleeved and rebuilt. A couple of them still have the original inspection mark......
https://i.imgur.com/O95U1Rmh.jpg

Fresh bushings should be in shortly for the shocks. I can get that installed along with a Quanta alternator belt. The original alternator belt came with the car, but that is not looking too healthy. The original water pump / crank belt on the other hand looked really good and is reused.

[67since67]

I see a Duntov in this car's future...

[RPOLS3]

Love to see you work your magic on these cars Tim - great results as always.

[dykstra]

Love to see you work your magic on these cars Tim - great results as always.

Agreed:scholar:

[napa68]

I got bored yesterday afternoon, so I pulled the cluster and cleaned it. I left the tach and speedo alone on this one. If it were not for the fact I have plenty of seat time in this car, I would have sent out the speedo and tach like I did in the 66. Got everything else cleaned, rebulbed, and reinstalled today.
https://i.imgur.com/LGg9QMgh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AOpFAVqh.jpg

[67since67]

I got bored yesterday afternoon, so I pulled the cluster and cleaned it.


You can come by my place and be bored any time you want Tim..and use my tools...

[TimG]

I had a "soft" brake pedal on my '67 427 (not the one I bought from Tim) and he walked me through doing a gravity bleed. Man, it worked great, and the pedal is good and firm now. It's an original J56 car and when the pads warm up, the thing will stop wonderfully.

[69M22Z]

Gravity bleeding works great!!

[SupremeDeluxe]

This car just keeps getting better and better.

[60sStuff]

Tim,

You probably have a case of these, but what a cool wall art this would be.

[napa68]

Tim,

You probably have a case of these, but what a cool wall art this would be.

Hmmmmm.......

[Charley Lillard]

Can I have it ?

[napa68]

The fan clutch came back from Kirkonnel.......looking like nothing ever happened.
https://i.imgur.com/Z1YBfz6h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FaxRvi5h.jpg
Dated June 28th of 1966
https://i.imgur.com/eUXuAQph.jpg

I had a reproduction plate made to mimic the original key tag that accompanied the original keys.
https://i.imgur.com/DdCnar7h.jpg

The fan clutch is installed, and most everything under the hood is complete
https://i.imgur.com/m5lVBOxh.jpg

The only item that is incorrect, is the master cylinder cover. If you happen to have an original master cylinder cover, please let me know. While I have access to one for judging (my Dad's 18k mile 67 L79 roadster), I'd rather just source a nice one for this car. If an original embossed A212CW fell from the sky, I'd be doing cartwheels:smile:

The car is registered for an NCRS Chapter meet in early May, along with Bloomington Gold for Benchmark judging in early June. After that, we'll see where things take me.

[napa68]

Rounding 3rd and headed for home......

I got a couple of the non DOT tires mounted yesterday
https://i.imgur.com/MwyKBrlh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/14llawqh.jpg

[TimG]

That car is stunning. The L79's are a blast.......I've fallen love with them again.