Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
November 2012: Front End Work
The summer of 2012 saw Safari get put to good use. I drove it around 2,500 miles and started to think of it as my daily driver. Poets and songwriters would call it "the good life", encouraged by above average Southern California temperatures.I did notice a change in the handling however. The steering had become vague but worse, there was a wandering tendency as the tires started to follow the groves in the pavement, forcing minute steering corrections. The change had been gradual but as the summer came to a close, it became more noticeable. Front wheel tire wear was very uneven.
Enter Paul Wustrack, Master Mechanic (specializing in American Muscle cars) and all around great guy. Safari went on the lift and it was clear the front end was tired. Paul had the car for about a week.
- 4 Tie Rod Ends
- 2 Tie Rod Sleeves w/Clamps
- 4 Ball Joints w/Rivets
- 8 A-Arm Bushings
- 2 Stabilizer Bar Link Kits
- 1 Idler Arm
- Upper & Lower A-Arm Bumpers
- A-Arm Dust Covers w/Fasteners
Existing shock absorbers were tired and replaced as part of a long list of "while we're at it" items. New KYB gas shocks were installed.
About $2,000 was spent which included fixing a lot of other problems expected in a 44 year old car. The results were significant. Safari no longer followed the grooves in the highway and the steering lost a lot of it's vagueness.
What's next? I am looking into a 15" 1969 to 1972 steering wheel to replace the "Grant" aftermarket wheel installed by the previous owner. I do have the original 16" steering wheel but it is too large, leading to comfort and ergonomic issues. The non-functioning back-up lights will need to be looked into. Also under consideration: a tilt / telescopic steering column and power steering.
Next: Winter, Spring 2013
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Comments (3)
Just wanted to add to my comments. I never thought of the C3 body style as "coke bottle" rather I referred to it as "Mako Shark" type.
Great information thank you for all your work putting this together. I had a 1968 convertible 327/350 hp, LeMans Blue/ white top, 4spd.I bought it in 1970 and it still had the firestone redline tires on it. Two weeks later the right rear axle bearing basicly melted, what a learning experience that was. 10 years later I was the Corvette,heavy duty truck,and motorhome mechanic at lyman Slack Chevrolet in Portland Oregon.A couple of things I noticed as per differences between early and late 68's was the late's had a brace between the fender and the wheel well at the hood hinge area to help keep the Fiberglas from cracking in that area.Also the trim piece that runs under the front fender back to the rear wheel well was black on the early's but silver on the later models (as I remember it ) so I painted mine silver. My steering wheel looked to be wood and I never had a left hand clearance problem with it.
I Love Corvette Stingrays. Always have‼ i used to work at a Corvette shop in Westport plaza in Maryland Heights Mo. from 1977 to 1982. I've owned a 67 a 73 and a 79. Always something to learn. Great hobby❗