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THE RESTORATION STORY
Back to part 1
Now, fast forward to March, 2007. I retired in May, 2007, and one of the things I did while I was
working all of those years was dreaming about retirement. I decided when I retired that I would
spend my time taking my 1962 Corvette apart. I had dreamt of putting in a new frame that would
have a C5 front suspension and a C4 rear suspension. I had dreamt of putting in a C6 motor along
with a C6 automatic transmission. I had it all figured out.
Carol and I joined the PVCA Corvette Club in 2007 and met many new friends. One of the friends we
made was Don Catone. Don had an “old” 1965 Corvette and he was rebuilding the engine. I met Jim Van Gordon
through Don. I spoke to Jim about doing some work on my ‘62 Corvette and told him of my dreams. Well, Jim
did not approve of my dreams for the ‘62 Corvette. Jim sat me down and said that I would be spending a lot
of money on a 1962 Corvette and when I was done, I would still have a 1962 Corvette, when what I really
wanted was for the ’62 to handle and drive like my new ‘07. Jim convinced me to put a brand new engine
and transmission in the ‘62 and he said he would completely restore the Corvette to new. WOW, was I excited
to find someone of Jim’s statute to do the job. After getting several referrals from people in the club, I
met with several people and most of them told me it would take up to one year or possibly two. Don and I
pulled the engine and transmission out of the car in September, 2008.
The transmission was pulled on day 2 and then the car was sent to Jim Van Gordon’s shop in October, 2007.
Jim and Keith pulled the car apart and the restoration began. The body was taken to Star Brite Auto Body.
The owner, Doug Starbuck, started to work on the car immediately. This is the original frame, after it was
taken away from the body. The body was then placed on a rolling frame that could be moved around during the
body work. Doug’s crew did an outstanding job with the hood and body work and had the car ready in 6 weeks.
Jim Van Gordon was hard at work on the frame and engine rebuild. Notice how Jim powder coated several pieces
of the frame in different colors.
The engine is a 358 cubic inch motor built to Jim Van Gordon’s specifications. He will not tell you what is
in the engine because it is his design. Jim builds race motors for all different types of cars. (Jim does not
usually rebuild old cars.)
I was lucky because Jim had a 1962 Corvette and loved the shape my car was in and
decided to restore the car. Jim said the engine puts out over 500 HP, notice the white headers. Jim restored
the car in what he refers to as “old school”. The body came back in December, 2008, but it could not be
immediately joined to the frame, due to a loss in Jim’s family. The restoration included new springs and
bushings all the way around. The engine is brand new with no time on it at all. The intake and aluminum heads
are from Edlebrock. The carburetor is a double pumper Holley and is a 760 CFM. The car was put back together
in 3 different shops. Jim moved twice during the restoration of the car. Jim finished the car in April, 2009.
Jim gave the car back to me in April, 2009, and I started putting on the chrome bumpers and other items. The car
was sent to Mark at Elegance Auto Interiors and he completed the interior
I replaced all of the chrome myself and I was proud of my work. About 3 weeks after placing the chrome on top
of the fenders I noticed some cracking in the paint. I had tightened the chrome too much and it had damaged the
paint. I was upset and took the car back to Doug Starbuck, at Starbrite Auto Body. Doug took one look and diagnosed
the problem. Needless to say I hung my head and asked if he could fix it. Doug said without hesitation, no problem,
give me a week. Doug repainted the entire front end of the car and had it completed on time. This time around,
I asked Doug and his crew to replace the chrome. The car came out perfect and here it is. Thanks to Jim Van Gordon,
eith, Doug Starbuck, and Mark.
Restoration Photos
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