78 Corvette...Black of course!

[Joshua312]

***Please Visit Page 2 for Updates and Before/After Pictures***



Thanks, Josh

[mblgjr]

Looks promising!

[Joshua312]

Looks promising!



Obviously once it`s under the halogens directly you will be able to see exactly what the finish ended up like but I couldnt help but post a picture :) ...so hopefully I can get a few up for you guys tomorrow afternoon...Im going back and forth between this and the horse trailer right now.

[Scottwax]

Looks like it is coming along nicely! :eek:



Is that an L-82 by chance? Great engine if so, had one in my old 1974 Z/28, mated to a 4 speed and 3.73s.

[Evenflow]

Looks amazing!



What are you planning on a LSP?

[Todd@RUPES]

Looks awesome.



One question, who told you there where only 3,000 4-speeds that year? In 1978, Chevy sold like 40,000 Corvettes, so I really doubt that less then 1/10 where manual transmission?

[vwgtivw]

Looks awesome.



One question, who told you there where only 3,000 4-speeds that year? In 1978, Chevy sold like 40,000 Corvettes, so I really doubt that less then 1/10 where manual transmission?





3,385 Corvettes where manual. http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet78.htm

[Joshua312]

Looks awesome.



One question, who told you there where only 3,000 4-speeds that year? In 1978, Chevy sold like 40,000 Corvettes, so I really doubt that less then 1/10 where manual transmission?



Scott: It is a L-82 - - 32,000 original miles the owner is doing a complete restore of the engine this winter. :)



Evenflow: The owner uses Zaino on his vehicles currently so he wanted me to get the vehicle to a state where he can layer Zaino and have it look great...I am going to apply 2 coats of Z5Pro followed by a Z8 Wipedown. I did it on one of my completed panels and it looks great on this car, especially with the curves!



TH0001: The owner was talking to me and he said in the 60`s it was hard to find a automatic and then in the 70`s it was hard to find the manual. He said the numbers basically flip-flopped for the trannys. Hope this helps!



Thanks everyone for the comments so far...Hoping to finish it up today, the biggest trouble spot Ive ran into is the trunk/ rear bumper area :( !

[imported_Dave KG]

Thars looking great from the initial pics there. :2thumbs:

[awahl63]

The Vette is going to turn out fantastic

[Brian_Brice]

keep up the great work josh...is that a shop boss i see rollin around your garage? my shop boss and power boss (my generator) dont see eye to eye so i was wondering if your shop boss ever talked back to you. lol jk

[imported_DennisH]

Looks awesome.



One question, who told you there where only 3,000 4-speeds that year? In 1978, Chevy sold like 40,000 Corvettes, so I really doubt that less then 1/10 where manual transmission?



He is correct here is a reference page http://www.idavette.net/facts/78.htm and the Corvette Black Book the bible to production numbers states the same thing. Hard to believe that many autos in the muscle car days!!

[Joshua312]

***Well I dont think I can add a bunch of pictures to the front page so here is the update after completing the car***



Short story of this car, purchased within the past 2 months, repainted 5 years ago and was full of swirls and on the hood and trunk many buffer trails. I knew I had my work cut out for me…luckily since it was a repaint it didn’t have the famous hard Corvette clear, but I still found myself having to go over panels 2x sometimes to get the heavy defects out. The worst part about this paint was finishing down…it was very picky with what I used.



Lesson learned: Never place all your eggs in one basket, I always relied on Blackfire Finishing Polish to finish down..it just didn’t work with this car so I used FPII instead and it came out perfect.



Final Process was:



ONRW

Hi-Temp Extreme Cut/Optimum Polish via Yellow Pad

Blackfire Finishing Polish/Vanilla Moose Mix Green Pad

FPII on cyclo white pad spritzed with Z6



Changed my mind half way through and decided to go with Meguairs #21 instead and Im glad I did!! I did half a panel and it darkened the paint so much and gave it a nice wet look. Very very nice product!



Tires received two applications of Z16





Before:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1947.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/beforeside.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1926.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1928.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1936.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1938.jpg

[Joshua312]

More Befores:



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1939.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1951.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1949.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1955.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_1952.jpg



After:



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2072.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2070.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2068.jpg

[Joshua312]

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2058.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2059.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2056.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2053.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2052.jpg



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/jrschippa/IMG_2049.jpg