Sue's 59 Corvette project....

[TrifiveRichard]

Thanks Gary. Finished up making the block and doubler to hold the lines off the inner fender, now just need to mount them.

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After mounting, I think I'll go on to checking out the wiring. Sue's coming out tomorrow afternoon to help out. She can pull the knobs and toggle the switches while I verify the circuits...

[TrifiveRichard]

Installed the clam shell block today and received the #8 line and fittings to complete the lines. They'll be done tomorrow.

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Actually started checking out the electrical today, too. No shorts to ground (good thing!), and the unstwitched fuses are all good with battery connected, horn and brake lights work. Next, I'll move on to switched circuits. Sue's ready to get her car finished. Lol

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[Custer55]

Looking better and better every day!

[WagonCrazy]

Sue's ready to get her car finished. Lol

This little corvette is just a fine example of restomodding an old car into a new one. I am in awe of how nice this came out. You and you're wife should be planning some long trips soon.

[TrifiveRichard]

Thanks Brian and Paul for your comments. We're not too far away from cranking it up.

We actually put some gas in the tank and filled the motor/radiator with coolant today. In addition, we got thru checking out about half the circuits and I have a few wires to change.

[BamaNomad]

Looking great Richard! It's come a long way since we first drove it into the garage...

"Remember when?"...
0- Sues '59-as purchased.JPG

I don't think there's a single part of the car that hasn't been 'touched' in some fashion; either replaced by modern new parts, or restored, replated, re-chromed, etc...

[TrifiveRichard]

Thanks Gary, it's changed a bit!

[TrifiveRichard]

We haven't started the motor yet, waiting until we read out the engine computer. A normal OBD-II reader doesn't work on these crate motors (the LS3 in the 56 or the gen v LT1 in the corvette). The reader needs to support GM TECH2. I ordered one that should work, I guess we'll see.

In the meantime we're continuing to work off items on the hit list, including finishing up on the a/c lines to the dryer and condenser, installing the power window motor/regulators in the doors, and installing the grill bar/teeth. With the new PTFE line and fittings from the same supplier, the #8 line was quick and easy to make and install.

The power window motors weren't too difficult, although the door posts had to be removed along with the door post weatherstripping. The instructions said the motor/regulators would go in without modifications, but it was a very tight fit. It was more than very tight, about a half inch of the aluminum door support had to be removed from the top and bottom of the factory regulator cutout inside each door. With this, the assemblies bolted in. The window guides and door trim still need to be installed.

I thought it'd take 3 to 4 hours to install the front grill bar and teeth. I was a bit off: it was over 2 days, but it's done. The first item was to put the crossbar in place between the bumpers, you probably guessed the first issue: the crossbar wouldn't fit between the bumpers. So, the bumper bolts had to be loosened, losing their alignment. At this point, the crossbar was ready to bolt in, or so I thought. Turns out, the car has a 58-60 passenger bumper and a 61-62 driver bumper. The bumpers themselves are identical, as are the frame mounts. But, the crossbar mount is recessed almost 1" on the 61-62 bumper. So, the driver side mounting bracket had to be modified. In the pictures below, the first is the 58-60 bumper, the second is the 61-62 bumper, and the third shows the modified bracket.

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at this point, the grill crossbar actually went on and lined up well, and the bumpers were realigned. Next was to install the grill teeth. The teeth are aftermarket, and come labeled for position (9 positions and 4 unique teeth). The teeth were installed, but all weren't labeled for the correct position. So, 2 on each side had to be removed and swapped. Then they were aligned against the tape in the picture below, using the 2 mounting bolts on each tooth. The front end is now finished, except for installing the hood.

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On to the next task! LOL

[WagonCrazy]

You're tenacity is paying off nicely Richard! That front end is the bomb.

[6 Shooter]

Awesome work, going to be beautiful Vette when ya Git-R-Done!

Looks like it might be on the road this year sometime.