Tag Archives: AutoBlog

#ProjectSR76 Steering Wheel Twist Part 3

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I never think I’m an expert at anything, but I have a lot of experience restoring cars on my own (shade tree restorer).

While gaining this experience by working on my own cars, 66 Impala, 70 Duster, 70 Chevelle, 70 Mustang, 73 Mustang (#ProjectSR73), 84 C4 Corvette, 2006 C6, and 76 C3 Corvette (#ProjectSR76) and project managing the restoration of a rare early fuel injected VW Bug and two 55 Buicks, I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve seen a lot.  My 1973 Mustang comes to mind with the non-Mustang brakes.  So, finding what I did when working on #ProjectSR76, I wasn’t surprised.

This discovery created a good conversation in one of the FB Groups I frequent.  Let me know what you think after you watch the video.

Here ya go:

 

Tim

#PetrolBox – December 2023

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Let’s take a look at the offering from the Petrol Box subscription.

Remember, this is a subscription service.  Boxes show up once a month and there are several subscription levels.

Check them out at www.mypetrolbox.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe and drop a note.

 



Thanks for checking.

Tim

#ProjectSR76 Cargo Storage Restore Part 1

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Getting close to finishing the refresh/restore and color conversion of the interior of my 1976 Stingray.

If you remember, it was pretty ugly and broken.

In this segment, I recovered the new doors; the old ones weren’t salvageable.  Take a look.

Drop a note or subscribe on youtube.

 


Thanks for checking in.

Tim

#ProjectSR76 Dash Pad and Interior Update 07-30-23

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The transformation continues on my 1976 Corvette StingRay (#ProjectSR76), and the interior color change from the ugly factory gray to place is nearly done. Take a look at the before and after.



Still a bit more to accomplish.

Drop me a note and let me know what you think.

Tim

#ProjectSR76 Interior 6B RIGHT SIDE KICK PLATE

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As part of the interior color transformation, every part needs to be replaced or have the color changed, kick panels included.

I picked up a used set in black some time ago so I didn’t have to treat these.

I’m assuming that what is on #ProjectSR76 is original.  The color matches, and there’s no indication it was replaced.

In this video and the pictures below, you’ll see that the right side was manually altered.   The right kick panel in the used set is was not modified.

However, a quick look at the aftermarket offering and the panels are modified.

Aftermarket

 

 

As the video will show, the modification was necessary to accommodate a vacuum actuator on the right side next to the air vent.

Here is the video:

 

 

NOTE: THIS WORD PRESS SITE IS HAVING ISSUES PLAYING YOUTUBE VIDEOS. IF THIS OCCURS, CLICK ON WATCH ON YOUTUBE AND ENJOY THE VIDEO THERE!! WE ARE WORKING TO FIX THAT ISSUE.

Thanks for checking. Next up – interior T-Top panels.

Tim

#ProjectSR76 Interior Dye – Part 2

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Welcome back.

The goal for my 1976 Stingray is to change the interior from the dismal gray (that’s not the actually factory name) to black.

In this video I walk you through the process of cleaning and spray dying two parts of #ProjectSR76.   Enjoy!!!

 


 

 
Thanks for check in. More coming up!!

Tim

#ProjectSR76 What Is It

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Every now and then you run across a “What the hell is this?” Look this over and tell me what you think.


Thanks for stopping by!!!

Tim

#ProjectSR76 Upholstery Passenger Seat Episode 2

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Continuing on with the tear down of the passenger seat for #ProjectSR76. All part of my 1976 Corvette Stingray restoration.

 

Thanks for checking.

Tim

 

Classic – Muscle Car Shopping – Primer Part I

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If you are following a long you know I’m on the hunt for my next project car and boy are my fingers tired and I can’t get this thing off of me:

Maybe WD40?

It’s a lot of work when you search nationwide.  Setting up searches on different web sites and on those that don’t offer that feature you are continually recreating the same search.  Then there are emails with questions like, “Is it still available?’  and other questions that often get ignored.  Here’s an actual example: (Setup – the ad said make an offer)

12:24 PM Jun 06 (ME)

I’d consider $4K…thoughts?

12:46 PM Jun 06 (Seller)

6500 is what I’m looking to get

01:34 PM Jun 06 (ME)

Ok…a few more questions if you don’t mind. How’s the interior? I can tell from the pic but the tires seem to be good enough to get it on a trailer. Has it been driven recently or at least started? Thanks. Tim – Tucson AZ

10:23 PM Jun 07 (Seller)

The car runs and drives fine

06:57 AM Jun 08 (ME)

I’d like to take a look at it and hear it run. I’ll be up in Phx late Saturday afternoon.

NO RESPONSE.

That’s nothing but fun!   Just as fun are the sites that don’t know anything about the car and people listing  cars they don’t actually own. My a favorite phrase has become “I was told it runs great.” right up there with “ran when parked”.

I just got of the phone with an interesting site – consignment site of course.  That went something like this:

Me: Hi I had a couple of questions that I emailed about the car. Those weren’t answered but you sent me an invoice for purchasing the car.  Can you answer these questions?

Lady on the Phone:  No I can’t.

Me: Is there someone there that can? Or can I call back later to speak to someone?

Lady on the Phone: No it’s just me here.

Me:  Ok.  I have a question about payment.  The invoice says you are located in PA but you want me to “wire” money to an account in FL.  Is there another way I can make the payment?

Lady on the Phone: No.  I’ll just cancel the invoice. – CALL ENDED.

I’ve saved the best for last!

www.hotmusclecars.com has a lot of cars for sale. The problem is they allow anyone to post an ad and  many are scams. VERY ELABORATE SCAMS. (Found this problem with Facebook marketplace and Offerup as well). The same car is listed in 8-10 different cities and at different prices but the same pics. There aren’t that many tall pine trees in the middle of LA, CA.

For fun, I decided to chase one down. It was a Mach I for $6k, which is a stupid price for such car (1969). The car was listed in Los Angles and she was in FL. I sent the obligatory “Is it available?” email. Response said it was and the story.  It was her husband’s car and he died, and she had to move to Lakeside, FL with her two children.

She said she had arranged to ship through eBay (which according to eBay – isn’t a thing). I told her I’d be fine buying through eBay and if there was a buy it now page I’ll pay through eBay as well. She said ok and sent me a link to a buy it now page. The problem was it wasn’t actually on eBay. The website looked just like eBay, but there was no VIN listed (that’s required by eBay) and no pictures. I told her that the listing wasn’t working and that I’d call eBay and let them know. She said “oh don’t call them. Just tell me what you want to see and I’ll add it to the page. ” As a former IT guy (20 years – in web development) red flags popped up. I did call eBay to let them know and they said “Yup” happens all the time. They recommend that if it looks odd call them with the item number. You can leave a number and they’ll call you back.

The search continues.

Thanks for checking in.

Tim

 

Average Guy’s Car Restoration – The May PetrolBox – Some Good Stuff

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Welcome back to Average Guy’s Car Restoration. I’m still on the hunt for my C3 (I almost bought a 1971 Mach I – the price was right, but it has some ownership issues – they couldn’t prove who owned it!!)

Most of you know that I don’t have sponsors for Average Guy’s work.  But I do not mind plugging something I enjoy or a product that works great.

You’ve seen a couple of posts on PetrolBox before. It’s no surprise that I’d present another.

They have multiple levels.  This box is medium-priced.   Check them out at mypetrolbox.com. 

Enjoy the video.


I’ll have more coming up including bringing back some old favorites.

Thanks for watching.

Tim