| This is a rare LT1 Convertible, factory big block/LT1 hood, original colors, except the top is black, (I wanted a black top) manual 4 speed car no a/c offered, it has power windows, power steering and 4 wheel power disc brakes. LP 350 HP ID on the engine sticker. This is the real deal here, check the VIN I did. Trim 421, paint 912. I bought this car locally in 2001, the car was original and I wanted to rebuild the rear end and trailing arms. I also wanted a 5 speed and the front end also needed to be rebuilt. After I rebuilt the front end I wanted it lowered just right, after my trial and error I took it to a local trusted alignment shop for the job. Their mechanic took it for a spin...and that is what he did...it ended up with a damaged front corner and headlight. No frame or other damage, Not too bad but oops....the insurance co. paid (I made them pay believe me) so I figured now is the time for a frame off. I stripped the car to the bare frame, sandblasted and painted it, it looked like a brand new one (still does). I also did the same to everything else, front suspension, crossmembers, I replaced the front one it had a little rust in it. The car got: all new stainless brake and fuel lines, new fuel tank, rebuilt complete rear trailing arms and new rotors, bushings, adjustable strut arms, rear bilstein shocks and rear sway bar. New bearings and seals in the (3.70 posi) rear end, rebuilt half shafts and rebuilt shortened (for 5 speed) drive shaft. Front end got new ball joints, bushings, tie -rods, rebuilt power steering cylinder, new sway bar (have the larger original) new front bilstein shocks. New radiator, complete surround, hoses and belts, heater core and motor, clutch fan. Super trick Flowmaster exhaust system with ceramic coated headers (have the originals). The motor is not original. It was not rebuildable (the 3970010 blocks are easy to find) I do not have it but I have the Muncie 4 speed and the correct coded heads. No original intake either. I installed a mild, kinda 4 bolt 383 with flat tops (hyperutetric) pro comp aluminum heads with roller rockers, mid range 230@.050 duration Schneider cam, Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake with a Edelbrock 750, original tach drive distributor with a Pertronics kit and coil. This motor was tuned by the Dyno Shop here in Santee, wow it runs excellent nice lopey idle, sounds bad ass too lots of compliments "hey that don't sound very stock" is very typical....on the chassis dyno...320hp 375ft lbs to the REAR WHEELS no BS I have a print out. So 410-425 hp and 460-475 TQ. on the motor. The car is like a big block, but revs easier and higher, very fast and very fun to drive, lots of mid range even with the Victor Jr. I installed a Tremec TKO 600 5 speed, custom shifter offset so it looks stock except for the Hurst shifter with 5 speed knob. It runs fantastic idles great and cruises at 75-80 all day on the freeway, you won't find that on many other classic Vettes. I did not want a pieced together front end, I could have just used a new fender and hood surround but I wanted a clean car like I had before. Tore it all off and I bought a new 1 piece press moulded front clip from Ecklers, and both complete new rebuilt Ecklers L+R headlight assemblies. This is a complete pieced together L+R fenders, hood surround, and front valance built on a jig bonded with bonding strips like the factory did it. It was $2600.00 I spent 15K on the body/ paint work, one of the best body shops here did the front clip bonding and reworked the door and rear compartment cover gaps..to close tolerances, the paint job was 6K but isn't perfect, but extremely nice. All F+R bumpers, side marker lights, and front grills are new reproduction. The originals were rechromed but were not up to my standards. New top too, I redid the interior a couple years prior to the frame off. New door panels, new leather seat covers from Ecklers, new carpet etc. dash and steering wheel is original. Custom Autosound stereo with Ipod hook up, sounds ok but who cares the car sounds better!!! The car still needs some weather stripping for the top sides, door weather stripping is new, the headlights work but the vacume system is not hooked up to them or the windshield wiper cover, couple other minor trim things, but all the electrical works, windows, gauges, lights, turn signals. I have a new complete harness for the interior and turn signals. Engine harness is new. It all works fine, car drives like a dream and gets lots of compliments wherever it goes. Turn the key and drive it anywhere. The car has only 58000 original miles on it, 52K when I bought it. It sat for years in their garage, I only drive it on select weekends, just around town. It is always garaged. I have a clean CA title in my name, good tags and no smog test is required in CA. 58,650 miles. December 2, 2009. |
