Restoration, Preservation and Modifications.
County Corvette has been specializing in everything Corvette since 1986. We have a lengthy portfolio of Corvette Restorations and Corvette Restomods. We buy and sell Corvettes as well. Whatever your goal, County Corvette is able to tailor our processes to your needs. Looking for a nut-and-bolt restoration? We’ve got you covered! Looking to preserve a historical, original car? We’ve got you covered! Have you decided that your old Corvette no longer can keep up with your pace? You guessed it- we’ve got you covered. Learn more below…
ABOUT RESTORATIONS AT COUNTY CORVETTE
When you bring your car to County Corvette for a restoration, you have various paths you could follow. Cars brought to us are typically restored for one of four reasons: usability, personal significance, historical significance and competition. These reasons help to establish the ultimate goal of a restoration project.
A completed restoration project can be a combination of any (or all) reasons aforementioned- there is no set “package”. A restoration project is inherently fluid by nature. For argument’s sake, however, this article will be written as if these reasons are rigid and do not overlap. Cost and pricing will only be referenced as generalities, as well.
Usability
As so many of us do, our old cars begin to degrade with age. Paint begins to flake, a chassis might rust, and the interior may wear. Manual steering and heavy brakes may be getting more difficult to operate, or perhaps the gears aren’t shifting as tight as you’d like. A non-A/C car might be too hot to drive in the summer.
A restoration aimed towards usability seeks to remedy these conditions. In short, these projects can be described as a refresh. Clients who proceed down this avenue are usually looking to make their car more drivable, rather than showable. To clarify: these vehicles will often fit in well at most car shows, but shows are not their purpose.
This course of action is often the least costly to pursue when restoring a car, though prices will (definitely) vary depending on what you desire; the cost differential between a quick tune-up and a chassis restoration is significant.
Showing
As the competitive car show industry grows, the quality of restorations are rising beside it. There are two standards that are most prominent within the Corvette niche of this hobby, the Factory Exacting (Exacting) standard and the Concours D’Elegance (Concours) standard. These standards award entrants based on their proximity to their ideal qualities.
The Factory Exacting standard is an elaborate, intricate, and incredibly precise standard to meet. The epitome of this standard, the perfect score, would have been saran wrapped, bubble wrapped and placed in a vacuum-sealed vault before leaving the factory. Realistically, a restoration at this level aims to replicate the former scenario. The mechanical components of the car are period-correct, and appear as they did new. In many cases, this even includes the original tires, belts and filters. Details are everything here, even the imperfections.
The Concours D’Elegance standard is over-restored. Cars built to this level often far exceed the quality standards that existed when the car was new. Similar to the Exacting standard, a car built to the Concours standard will have hardware that is correct to both the time period and the factory’s equipment. These components may be newly manufactured, whereas the components on an Exacting car should have been produced when the car was new.
Competition and Showing
JUDGING OUTLETS
There are many associations, clubs, segments and categories in the competitive car show industry. There are many classifications, designations and awards available as well.
NCRS Awards
In the vintage Corvette world, there is an association more prominent than the others: The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS). The NCRS is a group with members and events across the United States. From the NCRS is an array of awards, among the top being the NCRS Top Flight Award, awarded only to vehicles scoring greater than 94% on their 4500-point rubric. The rubric evaluates the operational abilities, as well as the state of the exterior, interior, mechanical components and chassis of the car. The usability, originality, restoration quality, and factory-finish accuracy of the car are impactful to scoring. The NCRS has many other awards available, which you can learn about here.
Bloomington
Bloomington Gold is another Corvette-related organization. With public events across the United States, their significance has grown since their inception. At the Bloomington Gold events, attendees can attempt to receive the designation of Bloomington Gold “Gold Certified” for their Corvette. This designation is strictly awarded to Corvettes at or very near their factory appearance. Note the usage “appearance” versus “condition”. An untouched original Corvette in good condition may do very well in judging, but a fully restored ‘Vette can do better. The most impactful factor in this designation is factory authenticity.
About the Car
This 1967 Corvette has the tri-power 427 cubic inch V8 with 435 horsepower (Option L71). Pushing off the ground with 460 lb-ft of torque, it was no slouch. Increasing the desirability, this Corvette was optioned with the M21 4-Speed transmission, 3.70 Positraction rear differential, F41 suspension and a side-exit exhaust.
Desirability continues with various aesthetic options; a Marina Blue exterior paint matches a blue vinyl interior, contrasted by a white convertible top. The ‘67 Vette was also optioned with vinyl-wrapped auxiliary hard top, AM/FM radio, blue tinted windshield, Kelsey Hayes bolt-on wheels and Red Line tires.
After emerging from Chevrolet’s manufacturing facility in Saint Louis, Missouri, this Corvette was sold new at Casey Cole Chevrolet in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Over the course of its’ lifetime, the car was treated well by its’ owners. Three decades passed while time took its toll.
Before the turn of the century, the Corvette was to be restored to its’ factory standards by County Corvette (“Exacting Standards”, being the industry term). The car was in an acceptable condition when County Corvette received it for restoration, though it was not perfect. It presented with strong originality, including the factory-original wheels and tires that it wears today (for showing only- vintage tires should never be used while actually driving). The body had never been hit or damaged,
The desirability in the options, originality in its’ condition and rarity overall made this car an excellent candidate for a factory-accurate restoration. It’s well known that this would be an expensive process, but these factors ensured the investment would be wise if done correctly. Marks were set on the Bloomington Gold Certification and NCRS Top Flight Awards and the restoration commenced..
Judging Standards
“Exacting Standards” requires every component on the car to be correct to what General Motors had used for the vehicle’s original assembly. Much easier said than done. When judged, cars are evaluated on the accuracy and correctness of their assembly. Every detail is significant; the ignorance of such detail can prove detrimental to the final scoring. Each pin, nut and bolt must be accurate to the factory hardware.
Desirable Defects
PAINT FINISH
Fit and finish are to be balanced in the process of restoration. The paint’s sheen must be that of the original; no more, no less. Orange peel, a texture in the paint, is seen to many as a defect. In this industry, the correct amount of orange peel is awarded. A smooth- too smooth- paint finish can (and has) actually result in the deduction of points. In 1967, the paint coating the door sill of Corvettes were left with a dull, almost matte finish. This was done to inhibit scuffs and reduce visible marks (think fingerprints, etc.) on a high-traffic area of the car. While a small detail, overlooking this may result in points lost as well.
PANEL GAPS
The factory ‘67s had relatively straight panel gaps, but they may not have been consistent throughout the car. Of course, they were not bad by any definition. Abiding to the proper tolerances within GM’s specifications will award the most points. Being too perfect may not result in point deductions through this segment, while panel gaps inferior to GM’s specifications is certain to result in a significant loss of points.
VISIBLE ERRORS
Being built in a truck plant meant there were some quality control “issues” for the later C2 Corvette. Most notably (in relation to this particular car) was the orange paint overspray on the water pump hose. Today, this carelessness would be incomprehensible on a car of this level. Opinions aside, the fact is that this was expected from the factory. Accurately replicating this detail is incredibly relevant during evaluations. Predictably, the oversight of this detail can result in deductions.
Other Standards
EVERYTHING MATTERS. Nuts, bolts, tires and all. That’s the theme of this type of restoration. Truthfully, the mass of details would be overwhelming for the purpose of this article. More information can be provided upon request.
Results
This ‘67 was awarded its first Bloomington Gold Certification in 1999 following its’ initial restoration. Given the information provided above, this was obviously a significant accomplishment. The car had also received an NCRS Top Flight award and numerous others.
Deductions
Despite scoring well enough to earn the Bloomington Gold Certification and NCRS Top Flight Award, some point deductions were made. Points were lost due to some factors:
-Paint was too smooth
-The door jams were not dulled,
-No orange overspray on the water pump hose
-Incorrect minor hardware on the car
-Carpet binding was too dark
-Visible wear on the pedals
-Excess glue on weatherstripping
-Other small incorrect components
The list may have been long, but the issues were minor enough to score over 95/100 regardless. Hopes were not lost, the certifications themselves affirm that the goal was achieved.
Corrections
In 2016, the car was “refreshed”, or essentially restored again; correcting each of the aforementioned issues. Upon completion, the car was scored once more. It again received the Bloomington Gold Certification. At the French Lick National Convention, the car was awarded an NCRS National Top Flight Award with an astounding 99.6/100- a truly remarkable feat.