Welcome to 2021, everyone! In July of this past year, we were honored to restore a 1966 Corvette for a client! We thought we’d take you through the process of restoring this beautiful car to show you why love restorations.
She’s been a loyal client of ours for a few years. She was recently given her father’s old Corvette, and chose Pals Ocala Auto Repair to do the restoration on it!
The Corvette has been garaged for almost 30 years, so it needed a full body and frame restoration. Chuck Perry estimated the repairs to be about $80,000 in the end. With her deposit in hand, we set to work restoring this beautiful classic to its original glory.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/70mQ59Kxyh_Z45dpl3fczOHJLftS6eNtn5e4lDHLK4rSnZOCS-iw8P-RoNcQm0_koJWUM5XwEh0skIh4rsnP_vl5TWKCVeUmNjr1YrIMxtzknIUH_Ljd7Moz8tfcHcLN5ACywThg)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U5MsCrItzqMgM5zMjTpo3LVeXY7SVaKTasVGrMIfpEYazMpUdGv0G8K2zD3x8-UPtc-m54bGTceT7JDK5ESUGYDI5-b4HmqCZtsuaYnabBpes97Nw7LWDXmI87US7v4jDcZsadm)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iNBPK4gz6OFR-rrdqo0BEAnDfx6naRKdvslVFduYO3y0kbV0qW2ebc93SsnDdTGokg3X-b6YqNlhjbDAhxFBA2Ja8SqKGd5t0c_0a8w87Bqi-B5mpGBiNehhElYb4VwyA7EO0vRK)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/S5R2AazpdA_CY7EbIJcRxI0dtRvcCFgk6ASlK53cXml7PMtss7pEoEa_LN-Nqu0MagOXWutNDkFZnpTNgi6LENJirngBo2tRLHWXYcoaPzQWb70WGsC6q2G_1l8wOOKWu9hcnEST)
Stage one was removing the body from the frame. The next step was delivering the body of the Corvette to a body shop for restoration.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/AhglQZCoEt4GTYHt-Frdbzh-eYA0H0LNzSMGPvEVNjErfIABwqX9toIZsgpdx8noTWOTvLfbn9vy0TyS7QkM9uCshSqw3vW2WB5R3fmiZTDGkvX4Xm5bD0rqRQXCdEmAAljKRsC6)
The third step is to rehab the chassis. Every damaging blow to the underside of the chassis is being worked out and put back to factory specs. Our goal is to make certain that restoration wouldn’t affect the ride, nor the moving parts of the engine or suspension.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cnRuMty-Bh5mBQ8SrbguiTcixshmI46mFBNwZnjUM3WCVC9W3xdkXXDBIZQ6HcM7D5MhUn-X0DrSDkDqReXmYNX6_-MRGYL2vLZ0T1tK0sdl3Ied-i0CxeBeozzwomQ-dRxMXUvj)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9abL-CzaDMeJHnP2fRbFEbJtSSwC5Sjxo_dC-17HM0GQtpiRGgQiHpKvBCW1eWFEmXLy1mWOQWMWn4sGfxkqY5J0QVQDgp0MWl3hnm49A_SiqWtUwDKI_3rgScQGVtGY0pcz44lS)
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uboPZBWYoiO0OBCmmHK7Hd_zbvKRZ9hv1AUSn5fYbR47vgB9nwZCBGBKwRtky77Hqi7MQIrze01jFWX7Si96aRwqljEtOAjuBJ5UHEaef_XT01HcQcX-oDAe_JmaEEllb5nBF31)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MSLD2ZGmIp6tYOyQXAtVaSA2LGNbtliQIzFBo4kpT2sfSKzhGiHj9LY5PTJPOK76ffVEqD1v_6iSfTlR9RSpwwOkW9Pc_g6usL7S2hBUiXupMnoqk_42l-768UUfhD6NyzEeg3-Y)
Our fourth step will be to reattach the body on the car. It’s tense work, as a mistake can send the entire body back for repairs. But fortunately, we should be able to reattach the body without issue. In the fifth step, we will rewire the Corvette. During the sixth step, we will reinstall a new interior. In the final step, we’ll perform a detailed quality assurance inspection, give this classic 1966 Corvette a detail, and send her on her way to her proud owner!
This is our progress on this restoration to date! So far, it’s been a labor of love for us, getting this sublime car back to her former glory.
Stay tuned for future photos when we have completed this amazing classic car restoration project. :-)
For the month of January, there’s lots of events to talk about:
1/8/2021: After Dark in the Park presents A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS
Fort King National Historic Landmark
A public screening of the spaghetti western, a remake of the Akira Kurosawa samurai film Yojimbo, starring Clint Eastwood as a wandering gunslinger who wanders into a blood feud. Don’t forget your drive-in gear, like blankets, lawn chairs, and so on. Concessions will be on sale!
1/14/2021: Opening Night of I HATE HAMLET
The Ocala Civic Theatre
Enjoy this comedy about a young actor haunted by the ghost of John Barrymore to abandon his quest for television fame and stick to the stage! I HATE HAMLET will have a 4-week run. Adults are $30, ages 18 and younger are $15.
1/17/2021: Dion Pride in concert
Orange Blossom Opry
The son of legendary country artist Charley Pride plays the Orange Blossom Opry on the 17th! Tickets are $35, premium seats available for $38.
1/18/2021: Martin Luther King Day
1/24/2021: National Belly Laugh Day
Wherever you are, 1:24 p.m.
Join in on the fun with a big laugh resounding all around the world today!
1/24/2021: Bellamy Brothers in concert
Orange Blossom Opry
Playing hits like “Let Your Love Flow”, the Bellamy Brothers are playing two shows at the Orange Blossom Opry (2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.). Tickets are $43, with premium seats at $45.
One of our favorite partners, the Humane Society of Marion County, is in a crucial month. They are a no-kill shelter working hard to house pets with suitable families. If you have space in your life for a furry companion, or resources to donate, please go to their website to learn more about how to help them out!
If you’re thinking of turning a new leaf over for 2021 on preventative maintenance, we are here to help! Schedule an appointment online. As always, we’ll take very good care of you and your vehicle as we continue to support the best local non-profits within our community. We are conveniently located at 2821 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474. Here’s wishing you a wonderful holiday!