1967 Corvette Restoration

[Larry Kluss]

My father and I have started restoration of his ’67 Corvette, 427, tri-power, air coupe. He’s owned the car since 1972. It was his daily driver in the 70’s, but it has been sitting for the last 20 years. It was already painted brown when he got it and we’ll be changing it back to the original silver with black “stinger” hood.

What you see here isn’t very pretty, but it’s a complete, original, numbers matching 160k mile car. And it’s rust free! The only major work was a valve job and replacement cam in the early 80’s (in car).

The goal is a very nice driver/local show condition car. The body will remain on the chassis and we plan to use as many of the original parts as possible.

Yesterday was spent power washing everything and assessing the project. We'll be tearing it down in the next few months and I’ll post updates periodically.

[Jimmy]

That's a neat car, Larry.
And you're lucky that the fiberglass isn't rusted.

[Steve Simmons]

Looks pretty good to me. Should be fun!

[HealeyBN7]

One of my all time favorite cars/designs. Can't wait to go for a ride!

Dean

[matstng]

Larry,
This is great!!!! I didn't realize the price your dad gave me included the restoration

Looks like a fun project.

[Larry Kluss]

I think you you lost your chance to buy it, Matt.

[Larry Kluss]

We've made some decent progress on the Corvette project despite only working on it one day a month. Today was the third day of work since my first post. The exterior is mostly stripped of parts, gas tank and spare tire carrier removed, and the engine is about ready for extraction. That is scheduled for two weeks from now. A significant amount of time has been spent photo documenting everything during disassembly.

The plan is to send the engine/trans to the builder upon removal, strip out the interior and remaining engine bay items, and get the rolling body to the paint shop hopefully in October.

[professorchris1]

I'm in the beginning phase of the same project, but with a convertible. Maybe you can help me out. I purchased an original a/c system for the car, and need to see a firewall of an original air car. I want to compare. If the holes in the firewall cowl are different, I need to have pics and measurements. Have you guys pulled the a/c box off in the engine compartment yet? If not, anytime soon? Chris in Houston

[Larry Kluss]

Hi Chris,
We will have the AC/heater unit out in the next few weeks. Depending on what info you need, I should be able to get it to you.

Is your car a big or small block? I take it your putting AC in a non-AC car? If so, you might know there are some changes made to accommodate the AC such as the battery moving to the left side. That requires cutting a large hole in the left inner fender and a new molded panel put in place allowing a little extra room for the battery.

Feel free to PM me with exactly what info you're looking for.

Larry

[Larry Kluss]

Chris’ post made me realize that it's been a while since I’ve updated this thread. We’ve been working steadily on the project. The engine is out and the engine bay cleaned and stripped of parts. The engine is with the builder and we’ve found a good source to go through the Powerglide transmission.

I wanted the brake hydraulics working before paint so we just finished replacing the entire system. We’ve also gotten various bids on the paint and minimal fiberglass work needed.

Last up before the roller goes to the paint shop is removal of the interior and glass. We expect to be done with that in early November.

[Larry Kluss]

The Corvette is now in the capable hands of Dave Wellwood for body and paint work.

[Steve Simmons]

Color?

[professorchris1]

Larry, can Wellwood provide the info I need about the a/c and firewall? Let me know. Thanks, Chris
p.s. Feel free to call: 713-542-2973

[Larry Kluss]

Color?

The original Silver Pearl and Tuxedo Black stinger hood scoop.

Chris, I've been meaning to get back to you. Attached is a photo of our car on the firewall side. You can see it's pretty crudely done. As far as dimensions, I found the completely dimensioned layout in the '67 Corvette Assembly Manual. Do you have an assembly manual? If not, I can try to scan the page and send it to you.

[professorchris1]

Wow, looks like someone got into that box in the past. It is crudely done. No hurry on the scanned assembly manual page, but yes, that would be great if you could get one to me.
Thanks,
Chris

[Larry Kluss]

Chris, no those holes are factory. The formed fiberglass panel had the standard heater holes in it and the guys on the line had to hand cut the openings larger for the A/C cars.

Similar story for the left inner wheelwell that is cut open and covered with a formed panel that provides extra clearance for the battery on A/C cars.

PM me your email address so I can send you the scanned page.

Larry

[professorchris1]

Interesting. Email: christopher.scott@hccs.edu
Thanks!

[Larry Kluss]

Almost finished with the paint...

[HealeyBN7]

Absolutely stunning! That Dave Welwwood guy sure does nice work!!

[Larry Kluss]

Paint is done. Thanks Dave! Now it's up to me to do the rest...

[Steve Simmons]

That's a seriously sharp-looking 'vet. Nicely done! Can't wait to hear it rumble through the 'hood.

[Larry Kluss]

I see lots of progress on other's projects, so time for an update here. I've been busy with the Corvette. Since coming home from Dave's, I've been able to do a lot of clean up work, stripped out the front suspension, steering gear, column, etc. Most of that is refurbished and ready to go back in now.

I got the forward frame and engine bay area painted over the weekend and ready for reassembly.

The rear suspension is next up...

[rally_x]

Looking good!

Judging by the restoration section of this site, 1967 was a good year for cars

[tannyo]

Looking good!

Judging by the restoration section of this site, 1967 was a good year for cars

Yes, yes it was.

[Larry Kluss]

More progress over the weekend on the Corvette. The front suspension is all back in and on its front wheels.

The front springs for the big-block cars with A/C are pretty stout, and with no weight on the front end a spring compressor is a must. I used a simple threaded rod down through the upper shock hole in the frame and extending through the middle of the spring with a plate under the lower a-arm. The first photo shows this as it was initially set up. I compressed the spring part way and attached the spindle to the a-arms, then added the floor jack under the a-arm cross shaft to help guide it up into place under the cross-member.

I’ll be tearing out the rear suspension this weekend.