I have a '65 roadster I am doing some of the same kinds of things with.
Engine is a 400 block, destroked with 350 forged crank, ForgedTrue Pistons (Now Bill Miller), "H" beam rods, aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, roller cam, dual idler gear drive, MSD-7 programmable, Holley 800 CFM spreadbore, Holley 300-1 manifold, MSD coil & distributor, oil cooler, 3.08 gears (stock; the original trans was a BW 3-speed!), 11" clutch [McLeod], competition plus shifter [MUCH Better than stock!]. It is getting lots of goodies like speakers in kick panels, anti theft, radar detection, stereo, GPS w/moving map - am considering putting in the dash above the radio & heater controls, about where the A/C controls would go. (Whaddya need A/C for in the desert wiht a convertible? hehehehe)
Then, new upholstery including dash pads and door panels, electric windows, electric locks, 67 427 hood, flares, ansen sprint wheels (well, I like 'em, don't care if anyone else does), extra gages ( Autometer comp. oil temp, MAP, mixture, voltmeter) under the glove box.. Hooker sidemount exh. I have both tops, and it hauls ass. I just finished installing all new suspension cushions & body mounts; adding/updating sway bars, repairing small cracks in the 43 year old glass, and adding the '67 style backup lights. I am also re-doing a bunch of repairs badly done over the years.
One of the repairs was done by a bonehead named Chuck somebody in Honolulu. I guess he is probably out of business by now. I had heard from some guy (a parts supplier) at the Long Beach Grand Prix about 33 years ago that he was a deadbeat, and they were cutting him off. Doesn't surprise me - the car looked like he painted it with a broom, for all the sand scratches. I guess his view is that too much bondo isn't enough. Anyway, that's finally all coming out, along with the bogus repairs done on behalf of the second owner (the one before me).
Next, it will get done in Goldwood Yellow with a hint of gold pearl.
I bought the car in Nov 69, and have put nearly 400k on it since.
I want to put in once of the Richmond 5-speeds that has 1-1 final, lots of lower gears. No sense (to me anyway) in having overdive just beause of a high (numerically) rear gearset. Too many ups and down, too many mechanical losses from friction.
I also just got an 88 formula, which is slicker than owl sh*t.
I also have noticed that the typical 'vett person really knows (or thinks they know) the minutiae of restoring a 'vette to factory. And, of course, that they ignore you or criticize if you change anything at all. That's fine if they like that, but I am not thrilled with it, don't really have time for it. I am basically a hot rodder at heart.....You don't want to alter yours, that's fine. It's mine, and if I want to butcher it, well, that's what happens when it is MINE - I can.
Hope you have as much fun with your projects as I am with mine!
lee
I havent unplugged it yet, I think its a hoot that its stuck on.
