Charlie Vette

I told you my other car was a 'Vette!

Charlie is a 1976 Chevrolet Chevette hatchback and quite the cute little econonubbin if I do say so myself. I bought him in the summer of 2008 and will be restoring him this summer. His former owners were determined not to sell him to someone who would part him out, so I hope to return him to roadworthy condition. This is my first-ever car restoration.

Have you hugged your car today? Charlie's "before" photo. Excuse the scrappy-looking model...hey, she worked cheap. ;)

Things to be done:
Have a professional weld a new driver's side floorboard
Repair brakes
Pull dent from left front fender, find and install a new headlight bezel
Make a decision on the hood and grille (*see below)
New exhaust pipe
Rechrome select items, depending on cost estimates
Overall body rust removal
Sand off all old paint
Repaint the same "sweet potato" color
Four new tires!

Minor things to be done:
Repair/replace lift on hatchback so the support board is no longer needed :)
Replace missing gills in heater vent
Replace carpet after floorboard repair
Install an antenna (vandals cut off the old one)
Find an authentic 'Vette gas cap to replace the generic one
Install an eight track player :)

*As you can see above, Charlie's hood has been modified. A former owner painted the lower hood/grille area black, which I rather like, and replaced the fallen-out grille inserts with chicken wire so the car could pass inspection. The inserts are long gone so I guess I either need a replacement hood from a junkyard or I should fabricate new grille panels and have someone weld a new piece on the lower right. If you have any advice it would be most welcome!

Y hallo thar, finger! Not what you want to see at your floorboards.

My prize-winning 'Vette? Actually I found these car show trophies on a neigbor's curb and couldn't resist taking a photo to make my little guy feel like a winner!