The project started with the purchase of a 1995 Corvette from E-Bay that was identified by the seller as repairable. After getting the car home, disassembled and to a frame expert I was told not to get it repaired because of the frame design. Replacing the damaged frame section was not an option because the left frame rail was bent and pushed back 7".

After searching I found a 1996 Corvette that was a theft recovery vehicle with a perfect frame but was stripped. Some parts were removed by the salvage yard before I got the car. So after driving to Florida to get the damaged 1995 Corvette, three weeks later we went to New Orleans to get the 1996 body.

I stripped the 1995 Corvette and pulled the engine, transmission and running gear in one piece by lifting the body from the drive train. The front frame rails were cut off behind the front suspension, The upper A-arms could have been disconnected instead, but the frame was trashed so I cut it off.

This is the complete dash and door wire harness removed from the 95 Vette for installation in the 1996 body . Lots of connectors, but most will not interchange, so hookup is reasonable. My daughter's bedroom was filled with dash and interior parts, she was at school and greatly surprised when she returned for a visit. (She slept in the guest room.)

Here is the 1996 Corvette body stripped of all wires and parts, ready for the drive train transplant. Body was hoisted and drive train rolled under, body lowered until upper control arms had to be disconnected to allow front frame rails to fit on front K -frame, Upper A-arms were then re-attached to K-frame.

1996 body with LT-1 drive train installed, new shocks were installed on all 4 corners. Anti-skid wire harness was replaced due to harness ends being cut off. Engine had ceramic coated headers, Taylor wires, 1.6 roller rockers, Edelbrock 52 mm throttle body and new Accel 30# injectors installed.

The application of the base coat / clear coat was started. Color used was a Brilliant Red Metallic, mini silver metal flake from House of Color was added to the first clear coat. Second clear coat had no flake added. Flex agent was used in all clear coats.

Here is the body with the clear coat finished and masking removed. The dash, heater ducts, gages and interior installation has been started. New weather stripping being installed everywhere. New Z rated Kuhmo tires and 18 X 9.5, Z-06 Chrome rims are stored in computer room closet for later installation.

Front bumper remains to be installed. It was left off to ensure proper routing of front wire harness and proper operation and clearance of headlights.

Running at last. Had to get DMV inspector to verify rebuild and source of parts. Old body was retained until after inspection completed and paperwork cleared thru DMV. Still needs final sanding and buffing, small amount of hood alignment and removal of some front bumper shims (gap too large between hood and bumper).

Additional information: Corsa stainless exhaust installed, all smog equipment was used, Roll bar was in the 1996 body and retained, many small parts and both air bags and dash cover were replaced due to original accident . Fast starting, runs great, 21 mpg under normal driving conditions. Will hold cruise settings even when going up fairly steep grades (7%).

UPDATE: March 2006

The fuel gage was acting up and not registering the corect level, changed the sending unit in the tank to fix the problem. The car is registered as a 1996 because that is the vin number on the body. My state just implemented OBDII inspections and the 1995 engine was OBD I. I am now in the process of changing the car to OBD II as DMV will not waive the car even though it was on the road before the law came into effect.

The engine has been changed to OBDII and required changing the following parts - give or take a few.

1996 Engine wiring harness with the correct connectors for automatic heat and air and 4L60E.

1996 OBDII computer (ECM) and CCM

Timing chain cover, crank position sensor, reluctor ring and crankshaft key. Required removing timing gear and chain so I installed new roller timing set.

Ignition module and ignition coil had to be changed as connectors differ from 95 to 96. (Later removed during Delteq ignition instillation)

Had to add a fourth O2 sensor so there is one in front of and after each cat converter.

The EVAP pressure switch was added to the system for 1996 and had to be installed.

i also changed the opti-spark cap and rotor to a new MSD unit. When the car was started it set a miss code and a scan showed various cylinders missing randomly. The mechanic said it was a bad opti-spark signal. I decided to install a new Delteq ignition system which uses the signal from the opti-spark but removes all high voltage from the opti-spark cover. Surprise, suprise, no more miss. The miss was in the high voltage side of the MSD cover.

The Vette runs great, passed all emissions testing and milage is actually showing an improvement.