June 14, 2019 - After 19 months, the restoration is complete

We started the restoration on December 1, 2017 and 19 months later we've completed.  We're prepping the car today for its first NCRS judging which will be held by the Mason Dixon chapter.  We're mostly ready to go, but just tuning up some items and cleaning off the dust etc.

In this bag are the air scoops that came with Z06 cars to force air into the brakes during racing in an effort to keep them cool.

First time out...moving to the lower shop for wheel alignment

First time the completed Z06 is out of the garage.  Taking it down to the lower shop to get aligned.

A few shots of the completed stainless and interior

This shot seems a little blurry...maybe some dirt on the lens, but it's the only one I have of the rear of the car today.

The interior is close to completion...steering wheel is in, seats, seatbelts. console....looking sharp.

Front bumpers installed.

Shot of the front bumpers...the cookie tins on the hood, nice example of very clean originals.

Rear split window stainless install

Finishing up the stainless window trim, install of the rear split window trim.

Finally installed the stainless around the split window...it's not easy, thank you Andrew and Tony.

The blue tape helps to keep from scratching the paint.

Putting on the windshield stainless trim

It's not an easy process to get the stainless on without chipping the brand new paint job.  It takes a little tape and a ton of time to get the stainless on and then a lot more time to get it fitting just right.  Below are some shots of the completed install.

Finishing off the interior, rocker panels

Rear windows are in, adding the interior trim and moldings.

Sun visors and rear view mirror.

Brand new NOS rocker panels...looking awesome.

View of the right rocker panel, top.

Installing the interior trim moldings

We're finishing off the interior with the red moldings around the windows, etc.

All the moldings were painted in corvette red lacquer.

More window trim fitted into place.

Installed the cover at the rear of the headliner.

Andrew installing the finishing touches in the front.

Wednesday, May 8 - First engine start day

Today and the past week, was an amazing milestone after 18 months of restoration.   We bolted the body to the frame and started the car for the first time.

I was lucky to find Tony's Corvettes. Not only did Tony write the book on 1963 Z06 Corvettes, but I was actively involved in every major step of the restoration and I don't believe there's another shop in the world that can perform a frame off, nut and bolt restoration like Tony and his team did.  We referenced the Corvette AIM, Tony's 1963 Z06 book, and a database of pictures of very original unrestored Z06 cars to assist with how we installed the wiring, nuts and bolts, etc.  The car will be completed in about 4 weeks. 

Installation of the recondition Z06 master cylinder.  Notice the brake hose with original grommet in the power brake booster and clamp.

Underside of the master cylinder.  R2 - revision 2.

We installed the alligator skin upper radiator hose.

Master cylinder cap.  Three dimples, correct writing on top of cap.

   The first start of the motor....sounds beautiful.

Tony captured a picture of me in the car.

Bumpers installed

The orange overspray burned perfectly on the exhaust manifold.

We let the car run for 15 minutes.  Andrew tuned the idle and the timing.  If you have headphones, you can hear the sound of the motor much better than the computer/iphone speaker.

Tuesday - May 7, getting closer to the first start of the motor

I took a few more pictures of the originality of the car as we get closer to the first start of the engine.

The screws on the dash, some believe these are black phosphate...they are typically brown in color.

A picture under the dash of original "L" 5 grade bolts.

143 flasher - NOS and the turn signals worked as well....

Headlight motors operate

Headlights work, high and low beam.

We're installing Evans coolant in the system to prevent corrosion.

Testing the coolant system for leaks...26 pounds of vacuum is great.

We had the vacuum draw back in the new coolant

Exhaust system installed

Nice example of an original windshield washer tank cap.  Under the cap, you can typically see the diamond logo and if you hold a flashlight to the cap, the light will come through.  Very original caps are also brown in color (Thank you Marty Fowler for the details on this).