How to Restore and Modify Your Corvette, 1968-1982: Amazon.ca: Richard Newton: Books

Product Description

Hands-on restoration tips that emphasize mechanical modifications for improved reliability and performance. This extremely thorough guide walks you through the finer points of modifying and restoring all 1968-82 Corvette models. Invaluable information for every Corvette owner and enthusiast.

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
The dream won't be free; no dream is. Read the first page

Explore More
Concordance

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Use the drawings but leave the text., Nov 22 2009

By	Randolph D. Wise "R.Wise" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At this time I'm presently up to my eye-teeth in the restoration of my own 1980 Corvette. Hopefully I can offer a "restorer's" perspective on Mr. Newton's book "How To Restore and Modify Your Corvette 1968-82". In a nutshell the book offer's nothing of real substance that I can use during my own restoration project, save for except the excellent line drawings that can be found through-out the pages. However, I would not encourage anyone to purchase this book based on this one and only point. Mr. Newton's own 1968 Corvette restoration is obviously the main thrust of the book and therefore I was found wanting for any real substancial information on the later C3 Corvettes. To his credit Mr. Newton does sucessfully convey the message that any restoration of a C3 Corvette is not for the light-hearted. With this point in mind I would have assumed that the book would have been much more detailed. Yet as I read through each stage of his restoration I found that much of the work performed on his car he "farmed out" to various shops and services rather than tackle the work himself. Mr. Newton did do most of his own body work and this shows in the detailed account of his efforts. But rather than tell the reader how to rebuild a Corvette engine, he sings the praises of the shop that did the work for him. Although he did the interior work himself, Mr. Newton breezed over this aspect of the restoration. Case in point, Mr. Newton has no working experience with the rebuilding of a 78-82 tilt/telescoping steering column. And his advice to the reader is to "lock the column in place" because "most" shops will not touch them and they are incredibly difficult to repair. Ironically I had just completed the rebuild of the entire steering column in my '80 Vette and I had absolutely no problems what-so-ever. I am therefore left with the impression that Mr. Newton's technical expertise with the Corvette is limited. His forte seems to be with who to use to help you with your restoration project.

If you have yet to purchase any book on Corvette restoration you may find Mr. Newton's book intersting. But if you're serious about restoring a Corvette, I mean "really serious" then you'll be buying a lot of reference material and eventually you'll discover that this book doesn't offer much. My advice would be to purchase George McNicholl's excellent book "How To Rebuild Corvette Rolling Chassis 1963-1982" as a start. Then go from there.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you?

Report this

3.0 out of 5 stars Original perspective, but lacks test data, Dec 12 2002

By A Customer

This book offers a unique perspective on Corvette restoration. The author restores a 68 Corvette and summarizes the process throughout the book. The car is kept looking stock, but has been fitted with some high-performance modifications such as a high-torque motor and racing-style suspension components. This book gives the reader an alternative view that differs from the factory original restoration.

One major flaw to his plan is the lack of a track test data section like those found in some automotive magazines. Do all of these modifications really result in a Corvette that is faster and handles better than a factory original? That question is never truly answered. This book is actually a compilation of how-to articles that first appeared in Corvette Fever magazine in the 90s. Thus, it is saturated with product plugs for everything from car parts to spray paint.

Another problem that shouldn't go without mention is some bad advice given by the author. For example, he takes a 30 yr. old fuel tank, dumps a can of sealer into it, and puts it back into the car. When you consider the overall cost of a project like this, a new fuel tank is a drop in the bucket. He also tells the reader to use a brass punch and a hammer to install the fuel sending unit. Don't try this. They make a special tool for this purpose. You wouldn't want your prize restoration turning into a prize inferno. Overall, this book contains some good information that you don't find in other restoration books, but it could use a newly revised edition.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you?

Report this