A Full Complement of Services

Our spacious workshop contains the highly qualified technicians and the essential special equipment to successfully perform the full range of Mechanical, Paint, Upholstery, Machining, Research, and Parts and Materials sourcing services on all Corvettes from 1953 to current. Projects range from complete Body-off Restorations, to the Preservation of exceptional original cars, to seasonal Maintenance services. We also assist with other aspects of the car collecting hobby, such as Sales and Storage

 

RESTORATION

Our restoration process involves a true commitment to craftsmanship. We continue to set the highest of standards and have developed a unique restoration process that virtually makes your classic new again. It is not unusual for one of our projects to entail:

  • At least three technicians in various disciplines that remanufacture the car to the original manufacturer's specifications;
  • Collaboration with numerous specialists to hand-finish trim parts before re-chroming them
  • Extensive road testing of the finished product.

 Our team can literally re-manufacture a car from the ground up, using a multitude of skills and a large amount of perseverance. Every component is examined and either reused, rebuilt, or, as a last resort, replaced. We are dedicated to a restoration process that faithfully replicates the materials and construction details used by the factory

PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE

The same technical skills and pride of craftsmanship that are demonstrated on our renowned body-off restorations are brought to bear on every service job. In the 1950s, sports racing cars were still being driven from the public roads directly on to the race track. An integral part of the service we offer is an intelligent maintenance program, one that allows the owner to get behind the wheel and revive that experience of driving, either on the road or on the track, any time he desires.

All of our work, whether it is being performed on a car that is fully restored or one that is completely original, is approached with concern for the future of the car in mind. Experience has shown us that, in the larger world of restored classics, an exceptional original car is in fact unique and highly valued both by historians and by collectors. Our underlying philosophy, consistent in everything that we do, is that any part of a car which is truly in original condition should be preserved whenever feasible.

Auction and Purchase Inspections

Whether you are looking to buy a corvette at auction of from a private seller it is very important to ensure you are getting into a car that is honest and safe. Perhaps you need a thorough inspection or an appraisal for insurance purposes. You may want proof for a potential buyer that your car or truck is worth the asking price. If you are looking to purchase any model Corvette we can check it over to give you peace of mind so you know if you are getting a good buy or you should look for a better investment. Give us a call to make an appointment so you can bring your car in for a complete evaluation. Most inspections take an hour or two to complete.

PARTS

Our Parts Department maintains an extensive stock of hard to find and many of the more common restoration parts associated with classic Corvettes

SALES AND BROKERAGE

We have a separate and dedicated team to storage and sales of classic Corvettes and American muscle

JB Corvette Specialists is proud to offer in House:

  • Full Restoration Services for all C1-C7 models
  • Complete fabrication
  • Full welding capabilities (including Aluminum)
  • Servicing / Diagnostics
  • Accident repairs
  • Engine and Transmission rebuilds
  • Body repairs and full re-sprays
  • Powder Coating (except frames which are outsourced) 
  • Oil Changes
  • A/C Recharges
  • Specialized paint services
  • Body and frame preparation
  • Carburetor rebuilds
  • Suspension and Brake repairs
  • Cooling System upgrade or service
  • Electrical Replace and Service
  • Stone Chip Repairs

Shop Shots - A few cars that have visited us over the years



Body Off Restoration

There really is no such thing as a typical restoration, as every car has its own unique personal history. From the initial construction at the factory, through the years of maintenance and repairs, each car has its own particular strengths and weaknesses. However, we use the term "body-off restoration" for a customary set of tasks, summarized below


Arrival

When a restoration candidate arrives at Corvette specialists , a member of each department (Mechanical, Body, and Reassembly) is assigned to the project. A team is put together which will be responsible for the project from beginning to end. The first thing they do is to evaluate the car for signs of unusual wear-and-tear, serious or hidden damage, non-originality, and missing items. Research is begun to determine what items were original to that particular car, what replacement parts are readily available, and what sorts of materials will be required. We then review all of these appraisals and, on behalf of the client, turns them into a preliminary estimate of the resources (time and money) required.

Disassembly

After the preliminary inspection, and authorization by the owner, the car is completely disassembled while further notes are taken as to originality and condition. The mechanic will remove the engine, drive train (transmission, suspension, brakes, exhaust), wiring harness, dash gauges and interior trim pieces. The upholsterer will remove the seats, carpeting, door panels, convertible top. Depending on the shop work schedule, either the mechanic or the body man will remove all exterior chrome trim pieces including headlights, front grille, and bumpers. The body man is responsible for the repair and fitting of all trim pieces prior to having them re-chromed or anodized. During this disassembly process the body man will be noting any irregular fits in the body panels or trim pieces.

Research

Chasing leads and digging for information is one of the most important and least acknowledged aspects of any restoration or preservation project. Our accumulated lore and extensive collection of reference materials form a basis upon which decisions are ultimately made regarding authenticity and originality. This facet of any restoration starts before disassembly and continues all the way through to final assembly.

Body

Following the removal of all the component pieces, the body shell will be removed from the chassis, and put into the hands the body team. The chassis will be stripped, repaired where needed, and repainted in the body shop, after which it goes back to the mechanical shop. The shell then goes to the body shop where all the panel surfaces are 'finished' before the application of primer and color coats of paint.

Chrome

After removal, the chrome is inventoried and any special instructions for the plater are recorded before the three-step plating process begins. First, pieces are sent out to be stripped to their base metal. Then each piece comes back for repairs and adjustments, and returned to the plater for copper plating and buffing. Selected pieces, whose alignment to the body or to each other is critical, are fitted for a trial assembly while they are still in copper and the body panels are in final primer. Ultimately all pieces are returned to the chromer for the two-part application of nickel and chrome plating. The finished chrome is installed after the car is painted and ready for final assembly.

Mechanical

Meanwhile, the mechanic in charge has been rebuilding all of the car's components (from the smaller details like windshield wiper motors to the complete engine and transmission), and collecting them on rolling parts shelves. The parts and resource staff are finding or having remanufactured the requisite replacement items, from suspension bushings to trim items to wiring harnesses to correct-grain leather. When the freshly painted chassis is returned from the body shop, these rebuilt and new components will be installed, often resulting in a unbodied chassis that can be driven.

Reassembly

After the body shell, door panels, trunk and hood have been painted, the final assembly phase can begin. The body shell and panels are reinstalled on the 'rolling' chassis. The cockpit is upholstered and the carpets, seats, door panels and other pieces are installed, as are the interior and exterior chrome trim pieces. Each individual component that was removed during disassembly, literally every last nut and bolt, must now not only fit together but also operate properly.

Final Delivery

Finally, the car is driven over the bumpiest and fastest roads around to find and fix any squeaks, rattles, or other problems before this remanufactured decades-old car is delivered to its owner.

For those who have never been involved in a restoration, words can only provide a taste of the experience. Nevertheless, we have chosen to summarize the many steps in a routine body-off restoration to illustrate these essential points:

  1. A proper restoration takes time and patience.
  2. The reality that unforeseen challenges will be encountered while sourcing parts and materials or tracing construction details underscore the benefits of starting with a good original car.
  3. Only a restoration shop with specific experience on your car should be entrusted with this complex work.