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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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 Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject: New forum Member and corvete owner |
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HI All,
I am a new member of this forum. Have been reading it for a while as a guest, and I must say, it is inspiring to read and see some of the work youre all doing to modify, restore and bring the cars back to the condition that they were in (or better) than when they rolled off the factory floor.
I have wanted a vette since I was around 10 years old. So when I turned forty last year, I used this milestone to convince my wife that we needed one in the garage!
So it turned up late last year. I have yet to register it as I have been travelling a lot for work, sold and bought two houses, moved etc etc. I am now in a position, time wise to get it ready for rego, and also start doing some restoring work on the girl!
So to describe the car it’s a 1971 BRIDGEHAMPTON BLUE 350/270hp, Blue interior AUTO, FACTORY A/C, Power steering, power windows All numbers matching , including drive train, manufactured on may 3rd 1971.
IT WAS REPAINTED APPROX 6 YEARS AGO IN ITS CORRECT COLOUR. 1 OF 1417 PAINT BRIDGEHAMPTON BLUE. IT WAS REPAINTED IN A BASE COAT /CLEAR COAT URETHANE. WET SANDED AND POLISHED OUT TO A HIGH GLOSS FINISH. I WOULD RATE THE PAINT AN 8-8.5 /10.
THE INTERIOR HAS HAD THE SEATS RECOVERED IN CORRECT PATTERN AND COLOR WITH NEW DOOR PANELS. I WOULD RATE THE INTERIOR AN 8-8.5 /10.
Most things work, although, like all, clock doesn’t and a couple of the fibre optics don't light up. Temp gauge needs looking at as well. Headlights, wiper door are all very good and vacuum system works very well.
Any way, I will be following all the threads and especially CraigH from Canberra. His thread on the resto of his 71 (which is an identical car to mine) is awe inspiring stuff and will help me out no end when i started restoring my interior etc)
Look forward to interacting with you guys
Thanks
Glen
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CraigH
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 1500
Location: Canberra
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome Glen
Our cars are twins 
1971 BRIDGEHAMPTON BLUE 350/270hp, Blue interior AUTO, FACTORY A/C, Power steering, power windows All numbers matching
Do you have any pictures ?
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Craig |
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Craig,
Yes I do have pictures. How do I post them in this thread ?
Glen |
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CraigH
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 1500
Location: Canberra
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nifty
*Moderator / Gold Class Member #427
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 8785
Location: whyalla, South Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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| gday and welcome to the forum matey...have a speak with bazza77, he is the man to talk to on fibre optics.... |
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riverracer
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
Posts: 750
Location: adelaide, south oz
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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welcome glen
sounds like you and craig have bought twins  |
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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CraigH
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 1500
Location: Canberra
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Looks fantastic Glen |
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Craig.
The first thing I want to replace is the carpet, its is OK, but a bit tired in places So I am about to order a set of carpet for it. I will also put in the Dynamat as you have detailed very nicely in your thread.
So this needs to be done, plus, while I have everything out, I will try and sort out the optic fibre that doent work on a couple of lights, as well as have a crack at wiring the back up lights as indicator lights. By the way, when yours were done, did they use orange bulbs, or tint the lens ?
What did you clean your seats and dash pad up with, they came up a treat ?
Cheers
Glen |
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nifty
*Moderator / Gold Class Member #427
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 8785
Location: whyalla, South Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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| very nice.... with photobucket, select the IMG CODE, and copy that... then the pics will come up normally for all to see.... |
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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thanks Nifty
So like this
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nifty
*Moderator / Gold Class Member #427
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 8785
Location: whyalla, South Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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| St Leon wrote: | thanks Nifty
So like this
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you got it... thats a sweet vette mate...well done.
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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Nifty,
thanks for the tip on posting images correctly.
Nice spot Whyalla.. Was there a couple of months ago for work.
Glen |
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nifty
*Moderator / Gold Class Member #427
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 8785
Location: whyalla, South Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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| St Leon wrote: | Nifty,
thanks for the tip on posting images correctly.
Nice spot Whyalla.. Was there a couple of months ago for work.
Glen |
sweet mate...where are you now? |
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Nifty,
I'm in Melbourne now. Do a bit of flying around for work, but Melbourne is where I live. Grew up in Sydney, been in Melbourne for about 11yrs.
Hey nifty, when it time to get this baby checked and ready for rego, who's the best in Melbourne or whom on the forum is best to speak too ?
Glen |
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nifty
*Moderator / Gold Class Member #427
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 8785
Location: whyalla, South Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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| not sure in melbourne as they different rules to us, but im sure somebody on here will have had their vette done in vic for rego, somebody will pipe up.... |
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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no worries nifty,
what corvette/s do you have sitting in your shed ?
Any pictures ?
glen |
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nifty
*Moderator / Gold Class Member #427
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 8785
Location: whyalla, South Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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| St Leon wrote: | no worries nifty,
what corvette/s do you have sitting in your shed ?
Any pictures ?
glen |
nothing now mate...
lusted after my vette ever since i first laid eyes on one about 9yrs of age...
THIS was the car...., and i was lucky enough to actually have a cruise in it when i was 17... a 1970, 454/390hp 4 speed...the car STILL lives, and is just as immaculate as the day it was back then... and would you believe....originally blue , then resprayed white....hahahaha.., this 70, is STILL one of the best vettes ive laid eyes on.... them flared gaurds are just right..., and goota love them rims....( goose bumps)
fast forward to me aged 40, finally got my vetts...the chromies were out of my league, but found a 74... in white...
not the original 350 engine fitted, but it had a worked 400ci... and sucked juice like it was an alky...
had to sell it on MY terms..long story... but one day, i will be in the position to afford another.. dont think i will go C3 again though... sure love the style, but they have been described by others, as the best looking p.o.s. on the road...
if anything,i would go for a C4... much nicer to drive, and better handling...
my 74...
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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HI Nifty,
Yes the C3's definately are a strange beast, but I love the look of them...
Would love a 454...too much dollars for me..in the condition I would want..
that was a beautiful 74 you owned, bet it tore your heart out and left a tear in your eye when you had to sell it !!
Glen |
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nifty
*Moderator / Gold Class Member #427
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 8785
Location: whyalla, South Australia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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| St Leon wrote: | HI Nifty,
Yes the C3's definately are a strange beast, but I love the look of them...
Would love a 454...too much dollars for me..in the condition I would want..
that was a beautiful 74 you owned, bet it tore your heart out and left a tear in your eye when you had to sell it !!
Glen |
it was a daily driver... i had it 7mths, and drove it EVERY day... did 9000miles in 7 mths... entered it in 3 shows, the first a hotrod show, the 2nd a car show, and won 2nd prize, and the last show it won first prize for cars 70-75...
on warm nights i miss it, tops off, and cruising... but DONT miss the fuel bills hahahahaha... i still get my vette fix though, like today... a trip in gus's 80 vette... and what a car that is....EVERY thing on that is either new or reconditioned, and as close to a brand new 80 vette as is possible.... |
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CraigH
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 1500
Location: Canberra
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:06 am Post subject: |
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| St Leon wrote: | Thanks Craig.
The first thing I want to replace is the carpet, its is OK, but a bit tired in places So I am about to order a set of carpet for it. I will also put in the Dynamat as you have detailed very nicely in your thread.
So this needs to be done, plus, while I have everything out, I will try and sort out the optic fibre that doent work on a couple of lights, as well as have a crack at wiring the back up lights as indicator lights. By the way, when yours were done, did they use orange bulbs, or tint the lens ?
What did you clean your seats and dash pad up with, they came up a treat ?
Cheers
Glen |
Hi Glen
I used soap and water after a spray with "Simple Green".
Its available from Bunnings and I read about it on a US forum and gave it a try.
As for back up lights I have yellow globes in the reverse lights. I did not do the wiring but I did redo it to neaten it up a bit. So this is how i believe it all works.
One filament of the original combination outer tail light is fed by a combination of:
- A switch on the brake pedal
- The emergency flasher
- The blinker flasher
So at the back you swap the light green wire from the reverse lights to the original outer combination light replacing the green and yellow wires dependent on left or right.
Then up front there are two switches that feed this that need swapping.
- White wire on brake pedal
- Light green wire on reverse switch on shifter
Swap then over and the job is done. So the brake pedal switch now only feeds the old reverse light wire that is now going to outer lights at back and reverse wire is combined with flasher blinker etc and feeds the center light
This can be done under the dash near the fuse box if i recall.
Sounds simple and is simple ... but can be a bit confusing. |
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CraigH
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 1500
Location: Canberra
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:09 am Post subject: |
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With fiber optics check the end of each fiber lead at the lights and look for overspray and dirt on the end as a start...on mine that fixed a couple and made the others brighter.
Jaycar sell a length of fiber that is perfect to replace any that are bad. |
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St Leon
Senior Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:57 am Post subject: |
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Hi Craig,
Thanks for the tips. With my wiring diagram and your info, it should be simple enough. Cheers
Thanks for the info in regards for sourcing the Fibre Optics from JayCar. Will stop in and buy some after checking and cleaning all the ends as you suggest.
Hey, Had a chance to put your new Rims on the Car yet ? any Photos ? any progress your end ?
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CraigH
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 1500
Location: Canberra
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:41 am Post subject: |
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| St Leon wrote: | Hi Craig,
Thanks for the tips. With my wiring diagram and your info, it should be simple enough. Cheers
Thanks for the info in regards for sourcing the Fibre Optics from JayCar. Will stop in and buy some after checking and cleaning all the ends as you suggest.
Hey, Had a chance to put your new Rims on the Car yet ? any Photos ? any progress your end ?
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Not yet, 2 of the tyres have turned up and the other 2 are due today.
Will get them fitted up later this week i hope. |
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australi
* Founding Administrator
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 16105
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:35 am Post subject: |
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Welcome again Glen
Can you update your location for us please?  |
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Smithy007
*Gold Class Member #124
Joined: 06 May 2008
Posts: 837
Location: Canberra, A.C.T. Australia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Welcome Glen. Sweet looking ride you have there mate. Sure you're not being critical on that paint job?? Looks better than a 8 from those photos.
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There's no Replacement for Displacement |
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RATATAK
Senior Forum User
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
Posts: 172
Location: Melbourne
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| St Leon wrote: | Nifty,
I'm in Melbourne now. Do a bit of flying around for work, but Melbourne is where I live. Grew up in Sydney, been in Melbourne for about 11yrs.
Hey nifty, when it time to get this baby checked and ready for rego, who's the best in Melbourne or whom on the forum is best to speak too ?
:o
Glen |
Lovely looking car you have there , very neat indeed.
As for the roadworthy in Melbourne , I contacted the president from one the Corvette clubs about an unrelated issue , but during our correspondence he mentioned that a couple of his members issue road worthies and could put me onto them when the time comes for me.
So as there are a few Corvette clubs in Melbourne maybe try speaking to someone from there.
Or there's this guy http://www.vetteconnection.com.au/index.html
Good luck. |
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YLLA 88
*Gold Class Member #444
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
Posts: 962
Location: WOLLONGONG, N.S.W. Australia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Hey St Leon welcome buddy Smick looking Vette |
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TroppoVette
Gold Class Member #246
Joined: 02 May 2009
Posts: 538
Location: Townsville Australia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Glen,
Love your ride mate. I find myself in Melbourne a lot and I love the place...I got my Vette when I was 40ish I wonder what that means  |
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Torque
*Senior Forum User
Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 77
Location: Melbourne
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| Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:23 am Post subject: |
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G'day Glen, very tidy looking car there mate.
Melbourne eh? We'll have to catch up sometime for a cruise - any other Melb peeps up for it? I hear Diamond Creek/Emerald has some nice twisty roads... 
..er, that's once I get mine back from the mechanic and on the road. Alternator out for rebuilding now, sigh.  |
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