From one rookie owner to a potiential owner. The people here, senior members & new members alike, look out for us all. Trust me on that, Ray. I know it's a leap of faith but there is almost nothing like the attitude of the members in our Registry where keeping these cars alive & well is concerned. If you hang out a while you can see the genius & creativity at work. Plus there are sources that really care about getting us the right parts, from P & G Chevy to even individual members.
The only thing I know for sure is I'm not so affraid of owning & using my car after being a member here. Oh, the body parts are for sure scarce as hen's teeth. Ya know the stuff from the A-pillars back but ya know with a good body panel you can make a plug from which you can pull a mold from which you can make a part. Don't laugh because when I had my rockers off for cleaning I was toying with the idea of making a plug to make a mold to make a new part...I worked in a boatyard & learned the old way of doing fiberglass hull repairs...it isn't the same as they way our cars were made, sheet molded process vs lay up method...But if I had to I know I could make a rocker or a door skin or a rear 1/4 if I had a good one to pull a plug from. It would take me forever but it's not impossible. If we made our own test plugs & found some one to do the sheet molding we could make our own new body parts.
The motor speaks for itself. The parts for the motor, well sure some stuff is hard to get but IMHO most of us will do extreem P/Maint above & beyond so that stupid failures will not be too frequent. Major failures on a car that is driven well within the design limits and is maintained fanatically will probably not be an issue of major consequence. I'm no mechanic but I can't see an LT5 just falling apart or self-distructing. If you want easy parts then no an LT5 is not the right choice. But then any old vette or other sports car isn't either.
To quote some one..."let not your heart be troubled..." the members will find a way to get around whatever comes up. The only thing us rookies have to do is pay attention so we can carry on the traditions of the Registry.
This is just my perception of what's going on in the KOTH world & I could be out in left field...but I don't think I am.
Tom, "rookie"
