If the thought of restoring your own Corvette appeals to you, you're in good company. Many a Vette fan has longed to experience the pride that comes from performing a do-it-yourself resto, not to mention the considerable money savings such an approach can yield. But if you've never restored a Corvette on your own, it might be wise to start the process by turning the first page of a quality reference guide-before you go turning your first wrench.
Luckily, Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Guide, by Lindsay Porter, can assist you in every major chapter of your Corvette restoration, including bodywork and frame, interior, mechanical rebuild (engine, transmission, steering, suspension, and brakes), and electrics and fiber optics. Through the extensive use of photography and step-by-step instructions, this "tech story"-style book clearly explains how easy it is to restore your own Corvette at home and achieve professional-quality results.
Also included in this tome are a history of the marque, how to buy a used Corvette, and a series of useful appendices. The latter cover workshop procedures and safety; American and British technical terms; technical specifications; options; color schemes; numbers checking; and specialists, clubs, and magazines.
First published in 1996, and recently reprinted as part of Motorbooks' Workshop Series, this primer is an excellent reference for Corvette restorations up to and including the C4 generation. According to Motorbooks, "Author Lindsay Porter spent hundreds of hours documenting the restoration of vintage Corvettes to share his wealth of knowledge with Corvette owners and enthusiasts. This guide fills a huge gap in the needs of the countless thousands of Vette owners throughout the world."
With 224 pages and more than 1,000 detailed black-and-white photographs, Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Guide can put you well on your way to restoring your '53-'96 Corvette at home. It's published in softcover, lists for $24.95, and is available through Motorbooks (www.motorbooks.com) or by calling (800) 826-6600.