66 Corvette Coupe Resto Mod

[69LS1SixSpeed]

Just retired and had always wanted a Corvette C-2 coupe to build. I was successful in finding a 66 coupe (15 miles from my house) that had been out of service since 1982. It was complete except for front bumpers. It was a matching number's 327 CI/300HP/4 Speed car which I really didn't want because my goal was to convert this 49 year car to modern susp/engine/trans/etc (got lot's of grief from the Corvette restorers group on this plan!). Someone had added a 67 Stinger hood to the coupe and aluminum Corvette Valve covers which were the only non-stock items on car. I purchased this car in mid March of this year and after a couple of weeks of cleaning years of dust/rodent nests, etc. I was successful in getting the original engine running . The engine had 90K miles and after driving awhile and checking the compression it needed a rebuild.


Fast forward to today.......I installed a complete "Ridetech" stage one front/rear susp system with coil over shocks, sway bar, Borgeson quick ratio p/s, late model Corvette Z06 brakes, 17" rims, C6 leather sests and various other upgrades. I also installed a 383 storker motor with 400HP/420 lbs torque and just recently added a Tremec TKO 600 5 sp overdrive trans. My plan is to drive it awhile and sort out things and probably have body/work paint next year. I kinda like the great Patina the car currently has but will eventually have the car painted. I've started working on the interior where I added upgrades like 2008 C6 leather seats, modern 3-point seat belts, Ididit tilt, and completely covered interior with Dynomat. It's been a fun ride so far and look forward to putting some miles on this classic Corvette with modern susp/drivetrain/ etc.! Here's a few of the project pictures:

[jy211]

nice toys

[PBarkley]

Looks like it's a great platform to start with!

And congrats on retirement, enjoy it!

[Neil B]

Cool! I like the contrast of the new parts with the patina of the car itself. But the starter and oil filter have got to go! ; )

[sfsvettes]

Hope you will come out in 2016 to participate in some of the auto cross and speed events with us old Corvette guys
We have a blast in our old C2 & C3's
Scott

[andreb]

Looks great. I also really like the patina of the paint with the new parts. Great color too

[kiwigt]

Just retired and had always wanted a Corvette C-2 coupe to build. I was successful in finding a 66 coupe (15 miles from my house) that had been out of service since 1982. It was complete except for front bumpers. It was a matching number's 327 CI/300HP/4 Speed car which I really didn't want because my goal was to convert this 49 year car to modern susp/engine/trans/etc (got lot's of grief from the Corvette restorers group on this plan!). Someone had added a 67 Stinger hood to the coupe and aluminum Corvette Valve covers which were the only non-stock items on car. I purchased this car in mid March of this year and after a couple of weeks of cleaning years of dust/rodent nests, etc. I was successful in getting the original engine running . The engine had 90K miles and after driving awhile and checking the compression it needed a rebuild.



Fast forward to today.......I installed a complete "Ridetech" stage one front/rear susp system with coil over shocks, sway bar, Borgeson quick ratio p/s, late model Corvette Z06 brakes, 17" rims, C6 leather sests and various other upgrades. I also installed a 383 storker motor with 400HP/420 lbs torque and just recently added a Tremec TKO 600 5 sp overdrive trans. My plan is to drive it awhile and sort out things and probably have body/work paint next year. I kinda like the great Patina the car currently has but will eventually have the car painted. I've started working on the interior where I added upgrades like 2008 C6 leather seats, modern 3-point seat belts, Ididit tilt, and completely covered interior with Dynomat. It's been a fun ride so far and look forward to putting some miles on this classic Corvette with modern susp/drivetrain/ etc.! Here's a few of the project pictures:

Nice alloy wheels in the photo shot outside the garage - what make are they and what size tires please ?

[69LS1SixSpeed]

The rims are 17"x8" BMW rims off a 2010 5 series that I had kept after adding 19" custom rims to that car. The tires are Continentials 225/50/17" that were BMW factory installed on car when new. I used these rims while setting up all the new suspension by installed hubcentric spacers and they fit perfectly on hubs. I had offset trailing arms which handles the wider 8" rims on rear and I adjusted the front steering stops to eliminate the 8" front rims from hitting frame.

I added the polished 5 spokes rims a couple of months ago as this is my favorite style of rims!

I like the looks of these BMW rims as nobody else was using these "Euro" styled rims on a C-2. FYI....I used BMW rims on my custom 55 Chevy and my 69 Camaro over the years and have always gotten nice complements on the looks.

I would consider selling the BMW rims/tires if interested as I'm running out of storage space

Chuck

[69LS1SixSpeed]

Cool! I like the contrast of the new parts with the patina of the car itself. But the starter and oil filter have got to go! ; )

That picture was of the original 327 CI. here's some updated pictures with the new 383 stroker and Tremec 600 5sp. Also added some daytime running lights as a safety enhancement.

[Neil B]

Nice! Can you show a close up of those LED running lights?

[jy211]

Nice! Can you show a close up of the car to the right of it?

Fixed :lol:

[bonecrrusher]

Nice looking Vette!

Like the suspension mods on it.

Where in Charlotte are you located?

Also - is that a Mini-Split AC system for your garage? It looks like the outside coil is sitting next to your water hose.

[FLYNAVY53]

Im so jealous....a C2 coupe on ride tech is my dream build!...Unfortunately, at 6'6, a C2 coupe is out of the question! Looking forward to the updates.

[Jimbo1367]

...Unfortunately, at 6'6, a C2 coupe is out of the question


Oh, a "little guy" lol

[69LS1SixSpeed]

Nice looking Vette!

Like the suspension mods on it.

Where in Charlotte are you located?

Also - is that a Mini-Split AC system for your garage? It looks like the outside coil is sitting next to your water hose.

I live in the Wesley Chapel area...just south of Weddington. Yes... that is a LG ductless heating/AC unit. This unit was one of the best upgrades to my garage along with the BendPak lift!

[bonecrrusher]

I live in the Wesley Chapel area...just south of Weddington. Yes... that is a LG ductless heating/AC unit. This unit was one of the best upgrades to my garage along with the BendPak lift!

Very cool! I did live in Steel Creek - but sold that house and buillt our new house up to Denver.

I really need one of those Ductless units - it gets hot as hell in there!

[89 RS]

Cool 'Vette, you've got some cool things going on with that car for sure!