Ripping Apart Our Basket Case C3 Project Corvette (The Body is Finally Off!)

[@SuperDave21]

You're fearless aren't you? lol.... Love your channel and its projects like this that capture my attention! Thanks, and good luck!

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Probably more foolish than fearless, but thanks for watching and the kind words!

[@gsmith207]

ditto that

[@deanstevenson6527]

⛵=Bust Out Another Thousand CORVETTE=Cost Over Runs Veto Every Truly Tantalising Experience.❤️ Your Work. Next door neighbour gave me Corvette love. LT1 1971. The 80 is cool. Anything fibreglass forces the other Steel parts to rust. Once you've gotten the chassis sorted, can't wait for your Epic V8.

[@deweyblanton6722]

Spend every chance with your dad, you’ll miss him when he’s gone but you’ll cherish those memories.

[@IsaacMega]

THE LIFT STRATEGY GAVE ME SO MUCH HOPE. I have 2 C3 Corvettes’s one I am fixing up and a parts car. 1980 and 1981 (parts car). The car I am fixing needs a new frame, which the flooded 81 has. I thought I was gonna need a 2 post lift to get the birdcage off. But now I can just go get a 2 ton Pittsburg cherry picker and a 2x4 and be off to the races. I can’t thank you enough for making this video

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks, but please note that I used a 4x4 and not a 2x4. I would at least screw a couple of 2x4's together. Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@IsaacMega]

@@TheHorsepowerMonstergot it, thanks again!

[@Adam-nv9zo]

The car is worth the work for sure. I've seen show cars that started in way worse shape. Keep up the hard work buddy.

[@anasevi9456]

if it wasnt for the fibreglass panels that car would have turned into a pile of dust, ugh so sad as C3's are such beauties

[@lowbudgetbuilds5789]

Good luck with your c3 I have a 81 that I bought for my dad unfortunately he passed away couple of months later. Never saw or drove the car. Now I’m building a memorial car. Everything he wanted plus a twin turbo ls( that part is for me). Haven’t had to pull the body car has been sitting since early 2000’s. And just like you I’m doing all by myself. Looking forward to seeing your progress on your build

[@HydianWay]

I just bought a '77 Corvette. I am going to fully restore it and videos like this really help. Thanks.

[@andrewstoffel1170]

Love watching this as I would love to restore a C3. You think corvettes are pricey in America, just imagine what they’re like in France! Not sure that one was stored near the ocean as much as in it. Bon Courage 👍

[@flinch622]

Probably was up and down the coast alot, and maybe got baptized by a hurricane or two. It's a pain having a nice car on the coast: better wash that thing alot.

[@MrCbell57]

Just purchased an 81 And got to do the same things. Finally found someone who is showing how it’s done. Much thanks hp Monster.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Hey thanks! And good luck with your build!

[@stephenmitchell3569]

Great Dad and Son with Awesome Advice. My 1978 corvette was rust free and driven before turn to race car. No rusty bolts. You showed me how lucky I was. Need any part I will fix you up for you need a break wow you are brave!😀🇺🇸

[@carrolbrooks2143]

I Have a 78 as well, it's been in storage on a Marine base in SoCal for the last 25 years!?!! My wife surprised me and had it brought to me in Washington, She's a Keeper!!!

[@TheRealTomLauda]

It looks like a massive undertaking ! Cool project, though, can't wait to see more of it.

[@mchristr]

Much respect for taking on this project. There are a lot of cool parts made for modernizing a C3. I'll be following the process.

[@xluke2416]

I am currently going through the same process with a 1979 c3 here in salty western New York. I have run into every single problem you have and I have thought to myself too many times, " am i absolutely nuts". so happy this popped up in my feed.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

We can suffer together!

[@Moonlight-ry1vu]

I am redoing a 1979 C3 basket case. Can the body be reinstalled with the engine in place?

[@dirtydwa]

Great Dad for coming over

[@russellboyd5262]

keep those videos coming, on this c3.I own a 1977 corvette, I find these videos interesting informative.thankyou.lol

[@CrankAddict]

Been there. Done that. I feel your pain with this body off resto. Projects have a way of snowballing out of control.

[@kfm908]

I bought a 1980 in 1997 that had been in a fairly serious accident..It was lots of work but worth it in the end.I didn't have any rust to deal with. Nothing is worse than rust.I feel for you!

[@vettegreaser6590]

I’m enjoying the build. I hope you stick with it. I just purchased a 1970 Corvette project and watching your progress helps keep me motivated

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks!

[@mortem-tyrannis]

Definitely have your work cut out for ya, good luck and god speed.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks!

[@SirGriffin29]

I bought my C3 around end of April and she looks about the same state as yours, my pans are definetly not nearly as bad. I just rebuilt the original engine. Debating pulling the body after seeing your video!

[@rikiwakwak]

Dang, i wish i lived closer to you. i would be glad to come help you.

[@epasternak4206]

Same.

[@jeramiebradford1]

You're correct about the back bumper it's a huge pain in the butt.

[@paulinebeckett2740]

nice to see progress on the old girl

[@lothianmcadam1]

for a measly $20k (or so), you can purchase a fresh squeezed Morrison chassis for that C3 with a modern suspension!

[@MLEB723]

I too would have needed my Dad to help, gotta love Great Dads...I'm currently restoring a 75 Corvette. Keep up the great work.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Absolutely right! Good luck with your build!

[@anti_guapo]

This helps me so much right now. I am about to do a passenger floor pan on a c3 as well. awesome content.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks!

[@bermanss350]

Got to fix it up, old legends never die

[@E.T.GARAGE]

Classic Tube should have a stainless steel brake line kit for that C3 along with fuel lines.

[@stippett129]

Good luck with the rebuild. I know you are enjoying every moment of it!

[@michaelcampbell2151]

I bought a 1974 that needs the same treatment, so thank you for showing me what I can look forward too, good luck

[@kevinwisler4547]

I just stumbled across your channel. It's cool that you're a writer for the folded magazine Chevy High Performance. I miss that magazine. I learned a lot from it and Vette Magazine. I used them to fix up my 81 Corvette that I switched to a 5 speed Tremmec and rack and pinion steering. I also did some upgrades to the engine using the info obtained from CHP.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks. I really enjoyed Chevy High. Are you aware that Nick Licata, Chevy High's old editor, now produces a magazine called All Chevy Performance? It is by a publishing group called In the Garage Media. They are still doing some really good stuff. Thanks for watching!

[@kevinwisler4547]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try to find All Chevy Performance and I'll be looking out for more of your videos.

[@peteward8125]

Good luck with this build !! Just think one day you’ll have something to be proud of when your driving down the road in it !!

[@sqr2024]

lol I went through this with a 1971 Big Block car. I feel your pain.

[@redhead1804]

good start on a big project. Looking forward to the next steps.

[@pattygq]

That lift strategy gained you a follower.

[@beasley1984]

I have a 1982 Vette that I'm about to start restoring (body off). I have the dolly constructed and am about to start removing items to get the body off. Your video is a great learning tool! Thanks for posting.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks a lot! Good luck with your project!

[@MelGranaman-ys2oe]

I can relate I have an 80 that came from Illinois and talk about rust I started on my 10 years ago now getting close to having it done

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Nice! I’m sure you can’t wait for all that work to pay off!

[@exploranator]

C3 plus L88 are the pinnacle of Corvettes. L88 kicked the ZL1's butt all the way around the track, but most did not know how awesome the L88 really was. 540-580hp STOCK.

[@dadfood3504]

Can't wait to see where this goes

[@gregoryjowers3629]

Good luck my friend that’s a huge project car. God bless

[@ThePerfectSeason1972]

Man, an incredible amount of hard work. You are a brave soul.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Hey thanks! At least it makes for a fun video!

[@epasternak4206]

Great video. When i bought my 75 it was in better shape than this one, minimal rust. Its a ton of work but its a true joy.

[@deanstevenson6527]

Great work. 80s are cool. This project is great. Can't wait for your awesome new engine.

[@hamidl2439]

i wish i had a garage like that to restore my 1980 good for you and all the best good jub

[@rowdy3837]

Great job improvising that body lift!! Gotta work with the tools you have! Can’t wait to see how this beauty turns out!

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks!

[@5538888]

Enjoy watching I have a 81 gives me a ideal on how things come apart

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Good luck!

[@Randomgearhead]

This reminds me about the scamp fiberglass camper I bought it's a POS I paid way too much for. Complete floor was rotted and after 2 years I'm still working on it and haven't camped in it yet.

[@jamtardio]

Was fun to watch, I have a 1980 c3 dark claret color with a power steering leak. There is a complete drop in rack and pinion available I've read the stock original steering design was taken from the 1957 belair and this ran from '63-'82

[@jameshoward139]

I LOVE MY RED VETT, MINE HAS 400 (SB) 400 OD TRANS, REAL STREET . I"M 80 YR.OLD!! HAD MY LITTLE TOY 41YRS. (NEW) STREET RACE ONLY ON STREET!! OH YA SHE"S GOT A LITTLE JUICE FOR ADDED KICK!!!!

[@gezchugg3551]

Our Corvettes are almost identical! At least yours came with an engine, I was able to find a 350 at least. I'm glad I found your channel, I'll be binge watching the lot!

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Good luck with your build!

[@king0cans]

The price of my Arizona iron just went up some more.

[@micksterboone4517]

Don't forget to keep track of the shims between the body mounts and the frame.

[@douchedidit9222]

Man with all that work u should just build the whole thing a budget friendly suspension kit uppers and lowers after market front and rear

[@madrabbit9007]

As I understand, there are electric motor upgrades for the headlights. That would be at the top of my list for mods.

[@kevinshorter5861]

Thanks for telling us about the corvette too!!

[@davidblalock9945]

Late model hemi 5.7 has heads that flow between than anything in the aftermarket. 320 cfm! Engine Masters did a video on them, and with just a cam they were pushing well over 500 on hp and torque.

[@timewarpvideo6244]

That's such a wreck!

[@carrolbrooks2143]

Makes it that much more of an accomplishment when you're done!?!!😉😊😆😁

[@hugieflhr03]

Another one saved! This is great TV

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks!

[@Fourandaquarter]

Seems like a good project, especially if you just want to build a cool, solid daily driver. If you were going high-end and wanting a show car I think starting with something more rust-free would be the best way to go. But for a nice daily, this is great!

[@gonnkrazzy]

Great video.. not many hold my attention.. about to pull the body of the wife’s c3, so I can mount c4 suspension to the frame.. thanks for the tips on the removal!!!

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks! Good luck with your upgrades!

[@midlifemotox]

You really must be really good at what you do, to take on a project like that.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Hey thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@stevechadwick85]

New to the channel today, happy to show my support. C3 77' here.

[@guppy288]

Doing the same to mine but I got lucky with the body mounts, only had to cut two😁 Good video, wish I found them earlier. -'77 Vette

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks! And good luck with your build!

[@dandilts3213]

Thanks for doing what your doing, I’m learning a lot from your endeavor. I don’t know if these later vettes have the bird cage. But if it does, I hope for your sake it’s in good shape.

[@cpnolto]

Where did you get this thing and is it too late to take it back there? Seriously - best of luck with this "project". This is exactly the kind of C3 I was told to avoid - to run run run, not walk away from anything that looked like this car. When I was last in the market for a vette I looked at several C3's and rejected them all (and they were all in way better shape than this car) Truth is I don't have the skills, equipment, time or the money to tackle such a project. So, I bought a C5 instead and that has been mostly good. That car is going to cost you a ton of money - and that's the easy part. Good on ya dude!

[@stevebarnette]

Enjoying the series.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@Apittslife]

From here it looks Blue not Purple. I helped restore a 1980 corvette years ago, We had it media blasted down to the Raw Fiberglass, Repairs any issues we found with the Bonded panels as well as any issues with the fiberglass its self. Then we built up all the edge gaps, & installed a Fiberglass Nose & Tail. Then sprayed new gelcoat on Her. She ended up Black with Red interior. When done, the Corvette Club said He had to park His car in the modified section of Their Show, because Corvettes never left the factory with good door gaps, Straight Body panels & No Orange peel.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Ha!

[@jfgerman9636]

First time watching your posts. Great video and very informative. So much so I’ve decided to keep my C3 search to a fully restored one 😂

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Ha! I think that proves you are quite a bit wiser than me! Thanks for watching

[@wesbafguy]

Been subscribed to this channel for a long time. Pretty fun watching you take on a restoration project! Keep up the great content.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Hey thanks! Hopefully, this car is going to be a lot of fun in the near future!

[@That_Ryan_Guy]

Based on the condition of everything and the butchery done to the car...I wouldn't trust a dam line was routed correctly. Getting em out of the way may save you in the long run! =)

[@deadshot4245]

truth there would be a good bet to rewire the entire car properly

[@g.o.b.2558]

This would be cool to intergate some C4 or C5 Corvette suspension.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Yes!

[@st.k.4528]

Thanks for this video! I think it is a great quick tutorial.

[@soni727]

Great job man looks great 👍 keep going it’s going to be all worthwhile.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks!

[@idessaoutlaw]

Looks like a flood car from the coast. I used to have patience like you do.

[@MrRandy3504]

Yes you do have your work cut out for you. Your going to have to replace everything. Good luck

[@captaincavern200]

Nice job andthanx dad !

[@porschetech72901]

you got this ... with your connections this should be a badfast toy ....

[@jimibreeze]

I’m hooked. This could be like a bing watched mini series

[@wowcolors]

I hope you use a 5.3 junkyard LS, super easy to upgrade later to make huge power.

[@Headsup9550]

I like how you said that now we can tell it's a repaint when you got the rockers off like it's not obvious in 30 other areas!lol The car was dark blue, not purple.. I don't understand why you don't want a 327? I promise you, whatever engine you end up with will not have enough power for a small journal crankshaft to be an issue! That car is definitely rough but it's good to see one getting put back on the road. Not many people seem to build the 80ish model cars..

[@AlbertPendergraff-rp7jp]

Your fram that you undercoated and the welds you saw was done but a bunch of drunks my friend because I was told my Corvette was put together by drunks and they didn't have any control over them until 1984

[@AndyFromm]

Looks like good material for the crusher

[@Benjywells1]

Great project

[@christopherohara9421]

I got my first c3 what a pain in the you know what I miss my 69 Camaro

[@hardball107]

The engine is and trans is easy, just pick up a good used LS from the junk yard and swap it in. Even a 5.3 stock truck engine will put out more HP than any SBC ever installed, I've done quite a few now and you could be looking at 375hp. With just a cam change you can add 60+hp for $250, you can buy a dual plane intake manifold and run a carb on it. At least a 750 with vacuum secondary's or how about a 800cfm Quadrajet for that intake howl and the stock exhaust manifolds will probably work or Holly sells some very nice cast manifolds even shorty headers. Stick a turbo 350, 400 or a 700r4 behind the LS, all you need is a $20 adaptor for the crank to T/C and you're set. It's practically a bolt in. The rest is the challenge.

[@jaa02130]

Awesome video! You remind me of myself because I'm going through the same process and with the same quality of tools. Harbor freight and Milwaukee #1. I haven't pulled the body yet because I wanted to do it with a gantry crane which I ordered from Harbor Freight and it just arrived. I am also doing the work by myself. You're doing great and I'll be looking forward to more videos. Take care! 81 C3 Corvette 4spd

[@stephenmitchell3569]

Looking good still got tons of parts..lol.

[@LJC5865]

Call it Mad Max, paint flat black.. complete n 6 days. I hope not I'd like to see you working it out it's fun.

[@scottbell7699]

I feel your pain, looks like I'm 7 months late, but just found your channel. Gotta catch up to current vids, and you'll probably be ahead of me on your project by then, but I just remarried the body to the frame on my 77 100% restomod. A lot of hard lessons learned. FYI the rear bumper cover only has 142,998 hard to reach fasteners holding it. But thankfully they turn hard all the way.

[@davekulberg3215]

Good video. Rust is s going to be a huge issue. I wish you the best and have some fun along the way!

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

Nice job, unfortunately this is just the beginning, its gonna get expensive$$$ if you do it right. I have a 74 and had to pretty much replace every nut and bolt on that car but not the floor pans..... good luck! 😉

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks, is yours done?

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

@@TheHorsepowerMonster Yep pretty much after 4 years a lotta $$ and hard work I did all myself....but its never really "done" with these cars, god help you if you have to pay someone to work on it.

[@johnmeoff]

good job i would use spray rust penetrating lube like zep and soak the crap out of the bolts every couple of days i did my 69 camaro by un screwing every single bolt on the car with zep

[@confuse9]

Hooked! Nice job on the car (about what I would do) and the video production.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Hey thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@briangnidovec1931]

Where are we today with the build ? Hungry for an update.

[@TheHorsepowerMonster]

Thanks! I'm glad somebody is enjoying the series! Just finished working on the chassis, just need to get it edited up. Thanks again for watching!

[@dano4572]

I am seriously RIGHT NOW contemplating buying a 1975 vett that you cant open the engine hood and the owner is dead so I cant get any info on the motor,,, like is it broken,, first off,,, you know,,,,,, not sure if I'm gonna buy it!!! good luck with that thing!

[@amandagirl8042]

should stick 2 4x4 across under the car and i set on 45 gallon (55 if you are in the us) drums then roll the chassis out from under body

[@eagletek1]

Is really worth it 😮

[@irabel01]

Thanks for sharing

[@jefflynch9559]

First thing, I would rewire the car from what I saw in the video. My came to me with a rod thru the block, but factory 4 speed. Chevy provided a ZZ4 350 built to 455 HP. Looks like you have a challenge.