78 Corvette...Black of course!

**Joshua312** · 08-24-2006, 10:36 PM

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

Thanks, Josh

**mblgjr** · 08-24-2006, 11:09 PM

Looks promising!

**Joshua312** · 08-24-2006, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by mblgjr

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** · 08-25-2006, 12:09 AM

Looks like it is coming along nicely!

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** · 08-25-2006, 12:21 AM

Looks amazing!

What are you planning on a LSP?

**Todd@RUPES** · 08-25-2006, 07:09 AM

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** · 08-25-2006, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by TH0001

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** · 08-25-2006, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by TH0001

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** · 08-25-2006, 08:36 AM

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

**awahl63** · 08-25-2006, 10:13 AM

The Vette is going to turn out fantastic

**Brian_Brice** · 08-25-2006, 10:38 AM

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** · 08-25-2006, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by TH0001

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** · 08-25-2006, 04:09 PM

***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 meÃ¢â‚¬¦luckily since it was a repaint it didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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 downÃ¢â‚¬¦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 didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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: