My new '69 Corvette

[Neil B]

As a kid, I grew up watching a local engineer restore a '69 Corvette. It was silver with an L-88 hood, American Racing wheels, and a road race theme. I knew one day I'd have a similar car. I wanted to car with a similar vibe, only with modern touches. Over the holidays, I found such a car that both spoke to me and fit the mental image I had in my head.

Here are some initial pics. It's an original 427/390 car upgraded with aluminum heads, EFI, and a complete VB&P suspension system. All of the original parts are with the car if I ever feel the urge to put it back to stock.

Let me know what you think!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Corvette1_zpsba419303.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Corvette1_zpsba419303.jpg.html)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Corvette2_zps8f0c5b3a.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Corvette2_zps8f0c5b3a.jpg.html)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Corvette3_zpsb117e53f.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Corvette3_zpsb117e53f.jpg.html)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Corvette6_zps2a541672.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Corvette6_zps2a541672.jpg.html)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Corvette5_zpsd166d53c.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Corvette5_zpsd166d53c.jpg.html)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Corvette4_zps66d3557f.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Corvette4_zps66d3557f.jpg.html)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Corvette7_zps1aee5ce6.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Corvette7_zps1aee5ce6.jpg.html)

[waynieZ]

Nice ride! Good luck with it and Enjoy!

[fleetus macmullitz]

I saw that one for sale... looks awesome.

Congrats Neil. :thumbsup:

Keep us posted on your driving impressions.

[Streetking]

Very kool Neil, it just sits "right". Enjoy her!

[chichirone]

Sweet car Neil. As a kid I had a neighbor that had a 69 Vette 427 4-speed convertible, red with side pipes that made a similar impression on me as you described. Pretty cool you found that "mental image". Enjoy the heck out of it.

[coolwelder62]

Wow!!!! Awesome Vette.:thumbsup: Wouldn't mind having a ride just like that for my self.:thumbsup:

[Stuart Adams]

Very cool.

[hifi875]

What's there not to like! Great looking car as it sits. I wouldn't touch it. I'd just drive it!

[KPC67]

Very nice Vette,
I see how she spoke to you, just something about it looks spot on. :thumbsup:

[Ron in SoCal]

She's a beauty! Nice score :cheers:

[HAULNSS]

Nice car!

Count me as one of those impressionable kids who has the neighbors C3 image burned in my head. :thumbsup:

I love the chrome bumper C3's. They are one of those cars that even 'non car people' know it is a Corvette.

Randy

[Bowtieracing]

Perfect stance!!

[71RS/SS396]

Wow!!!! Awesome Vette.:thumbsup: Wouldn't mind having a ride just like that for my self.:thumbsup:

You b!tch about not being able to fit in a 2nd gen, how you going to fit in one of these. :thumbsup: :peepwall: :underchair: :D

[Ummgawa]

You b!tch about not being able to fit in a 2nd gen, how you going to fit in one of these. :thumbsup: :peepwall: :underchair: :D

Crisco and a good running start works for me.

[Sieg]

Very nice Vette Neil, congratulations on the acquisition! :thumbsup:

[rwhite692]

Crisco and a good running start works for me.

Mr Hall you are too much, LOL

[sleepertime]

Great looking ride. It looks like it will be a lot of fun with all of the goodies on it.

It reminds me of the time when I was asked to drive a car back to the body shop that I was working in as a teenager. It was a maroon 1969 corvette convertible with a 350 and a four speed. As any good teenager would do, I decided a little side step and clutch dump was in order to exit onto the four lane road...

Once I completed the unplanned doughnuts I regained my composure and drove gingerly back to the shop...

Another one of the memories that sealed the deal... HotRod junkie...:innocent: :clap:

[Shark Racer]

Agree with the others - beautiful car. Replace those sidepipes with a set of JCL Spiral Baffles and add a couple buckets of HP. Watch your legs!

[jlwdvm]

What wheels are those? Looking for a similar vibe for my 69 Trans Am clone track car. Sweet ride!

[tones2SS]

KIller car Neil.
Congrats and enjoy. :thumbsup:

[Bakaruda]

I have a 70 LS5 car that was my dad's since 1980. He restored it once and drove at least 200K. I am now getting ready to go thru the suspension and lime what you have done with yours.

[Shmoov69]

That is saxy!!! I LOVE chrome bumper Vettes!!!:trophy-1302:

[69x22]

Nice! Looks like it's been done right.

[Solid LT1]

I think the most ILL handling worse riding Vette I ever drove had one of these Vette Brakes suspension systems installed into it......SORRY! I know that's pretty rank of me to say but, I'm pretty good at getting the C2/3 Vette chassis to work. The Front transverse leaf spring set-up really doesn't work too well in my opinion. The rear IRS is where the handling challenges of the C2/3 Vette chassis lies, I have a old Greenwood/Bob Riley 5 bar conversion set-up, I may make a few copies of this suspension before I put it into my 72 LT-1 Vette. The Greenwood 5 bar solves the severe toe change characteristics of the C2/3 chassis which will cure it of its "exciting transitional handling" characteristics when the suspension is lowered. Look at Brian Hobaughs or Danny Popps Vettes they utilize a refined C2/3 suspension system, never have I witnessed a Vette Brakes suspension system to be markedly superior in performance to a worked out OEM GM chassis, they add unneeded complexity and parts to the equation.

[JohnC]

Congratulations, Neil!

I was just wondering why it was still on ebay then?:headscratch:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Corvette-/261384926588?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160

[Neil B]

Congratulations, Neil!

I was just wondering why it was still on ebay then?:headscratch:



Thanks for bringing that to my attention. It is definitely not for sale.

[Neil B]

I think the most ILL handling worse riding Vette I ever drove had one of these Vette Brakes suspension systems installed into it......SORRY! I know that's pretty rank of me to say but, I'm pretty good at getting the C2/3 Vette chassis to work. The Front transverse leaf spring set-up really doesn't work too well in my opinion. The rear IRS is where the handling challenges of the C2/3 Vette chassis lies, I have a old Greenwood/Bob Riley 5 bar conversion set-up, I may make a few copies of this suspension before I put it into my 72 LT-1 Vette. The Greenwood 5 bar solves the severe toe change characteristics of the C2/3 chassis which will cure it of its "exciting transitional handling" characteristics when the suspension is lowered. Look at Brian Hobaughs or Danny Popps Vettes they utilize a refined C2/3 suspension system, never have I witnessed a Vette Brakes suspension system to be markedly superior in performance to a worked out OEM GM chassis, they add unneeded complexity and parts to the equation.

Thanks for the input. The car has all of it's stock suspension bits with it, so worst case, I can put them back on.

[Neil B]

What wheels are those? Looking for a similar vibe for my 69 Trans Am clone track car. Sweet ride!

They are Billet Specialties Mag G's.

http://www.billetspecialties.com/wheels/legends-series/legendsseries/mag-g/

[Vegas69]

I like it a lot....

[srh3trinity]

Great car! Up until the current C7 and the C6 Z06, I would have said the C3's and particularly the chrome bumper C3's were the prettiest vettes. This one looks like it is done right. I want to do a C3 z06 style build similar to Danny Popp's.

[Solid LT1]

Great car! Up until the current C7 and the C6 Z06, I would have said the C3's and particularly the chrome bumper C3's were the prettiest vettes. This one looks like it is done right. I want to do a C3 z06 style build similar to Danny Popp's.

I'm doing one so similar that I'm using my 72 LT-1 as the swap candidate:D

[89 RS]

Nice Corvette, very clean looking. I like everything about it and looks like it would be fun car to drive. :thumbsup:

[srh3trinity]

I'm doing one so similar that I'm using my 72 LT-1 as the swap candidate:D
Is there a thread to follow along?

[Neil B]

Nice Corvette, very clean looking. I like everything about it and looks like it would be fun car to drive. :thumbsup:

Thanks everyone. I'm very excited. The driver just called and it should be arriving tomorrow am.

[Solid LT1]

Is there a thread to follow along?

Not yet have to finish some paying customer projects, haul my C6 Z06 to Vegas, clean up my work area and then I will consider exposing my thrash lab to the general public. :D

[Neil B]

Home sweet home.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Arrival1_zps4de9e4e1.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Arrival1_zps4de9e4e1.jpg.html)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/NeilB_photos/Arrival2_zpse9540326.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/NeilB_photos/media/Arrival2_zpse9540326.jpg.html)

[mnm99]

How do you like the EFI?

[mnm99]

Nice car by the way!!

[Neil B]

How do you like the EFI?

The roads were too crappy yesterday to drive it but I'll let you know later today. But it starts quickly and settles into a nice idle right away.