1966 CORVETTE RESTORATION PICTURES
PAGE 2
The new tan top really looks great on the Rally Red 'vette.
The fit and finish of the soft top is first class! Notice the wire-on tips with the flanged edges. These are era correct and are what came on the car in 1966.
The proper date code of 965 (September 1965) is stamped on the vinyl rear window. Also, the factory warning tag is attached to the new soft top. Amazing attention to details!
This is what the top looked like out of the car when it first came to the shop. The old top was dirty, faded and the frame was in need of complete restoration. The header bow was rusted, also. The top frame was dismantled, media blasted, prepped, and painted the original semi-flat black. New hardware and weatherstrips were installed to assure a proper fit and seal of the top.
The seatbelts for the 1966 Corvette were in fair condition. They were refurbished with a thorough cleaning, refinished buckles, and new period-correct labels with the proper date code stamp. Also, new correct anchor bolts and nuts were installed. Notice the stowage of the inboard belts with the special bracket at the end of the console. A dealer installed retractor instruction tag is present on the outboard belts.
The seats were totally restored using only the original steel seat frames and tracks. All chrome, hardware, foam, and upholstery were installed with new parts and material. Since this 'vette was a "standard" interior originally, leather was not used in the upholstery selection.
Located directly behind the seats is a storage compartment that is covered in a carpeted lid. In the left section of this storage area is jack stowage. A new reproduction jack, jack handle with grommet, and hold down spring were installed. Below is a picture of the jack in its storage compartment.
During the restoration of the removable hardtop, the headliner was removed and a color code for the paint was found in white chalk ( 53 RED ). The inside perimeter of the top needed to be cleaned, prepped, and painted with semi-flat black. Only a small portion of this is visible once all moldings and trim are installed, but there was a small amount of rust starting along the edges and needed refinished.
The header area of the hardtop was treated to new hardware, clips and weatherstrips. There are many parts to a hardtop and the same attention to detail was given to the hardtop restoration as the rest of the project.
The rear "Plexiglas" window is installed with the usual rubber gasket but has two additional fasteners that run a screw and spanner nut through the window, centered at the top and bottom. On the left is a picture of the lower inner bracket and the right picture is the outer reinforcement plate and stainless spanner nut. Interesting means of securing the rear window to the top.
This car is good looking from any perspective. However, this is the ONLY view many street racers had when running against the big block 'vettes!!!!!
