The next hurdle that Mistress Quickly and I will face is the emissions test when the license registration comes up for renewal in June. So I have scheduled an appointment with an expert in carbureted engines. We'll put this Corvette on a chassis dynamometer and get a baseline reading of horsepower and torque, and make sure that she'll pass the pollution test. While I'm there, we'll talk about some basic engine upgrade options for the future, such as a high-flow intake manifold and carburetor.

The car already has a true dual exhaust, replacing the original 2-into-1-into-2 design that GM used.

The other thing that needs to be done right away is a front-end wheel alignment. The right-front tire is noticeably out of alignment, and that will have an effect on both the handling and fuel economy. Hopefully, no suspension parts have been damaged, but a little bit of shopping online shows me that a front suspension restoration kit with upgraded polyurethane bushings will cost me just $279.99. Take it from a guy who's done a lot of suspension work on Italian cars - that's a phenomenal price.

I will begin the actual work of this restoration by completely rebuilding the front and rear suspensions, and I'll document that process in detail in a future article. I'll replace the shock absorbers while I'm working, and give the brakes a close inspection, too. Between the shocks and the front and rear suspension and steering rebuilds, I'll probably spend about $500 to get this Corvette handling like new.

Then I can go to work on the engine and paint.