CUSTOM 1978 CORVETTE ----FIRE DAMAGE---PLEASE READ---NO RESERVE

Description for Chevrolet Corvette 1978

The year was 1979. I was just a kid barely out of high school when I bought this car! My mom protested, my friends thought I was nuts (but were also jealous...lol) but I purchased it with my own money and was so proud. I LOVED this car! I kept it spotless and babied it. But I could not just leave well enough alone, I HAD to make it faster and better. With me working on it so much and driving it so little (it got to the point I would ONLY drive it if the weather were perfect) I bought another car, just so I could "save the miles" on this one. Yep, I was totally nuts. Eventually I got married and my Corvette was driven less and less, though I still cleaned and polished it on a regular basis. Over the years, I did more and more to it until it became the car you see in the photos. I put an insane amount of money and time into a car simply because I love it since no person in their right mind would do this. Anyway, it sat for a very long time about 95% complete. In the meantime, I got divorced, spent 10 years batching it, then got married again. I decided that FINALLY I was going to complete this car and drive it no matter what it took...and I did just that. But tragedy struck.With less than 2 hours on the engine, (actually the entire drive train) it caught on fire---right in my driveway! I had left it idling to warm up, went inside, and came back to a smoking car. You can see the result...I am SO sad. This happened about a year ago. I have been back and forth in my mind about what I should do with this and came to the conclusion that I just don't have it in me to bring her back; I'm no longer that young kid full of energy. So I am putting it up for auction in the hopes that someone will make her complete again. Most of the photos I am posting were taken before the fire so you can see her in her glory. The only part of the car that got damaged was the engine compartment/front end. The rest of the car, including the interior, rear, etc, were unscathed. it was appraised at $55,000 prior to this but I will be happy with any reasonable amount, especially if she gets a new life! The car has many upgrades/modification; Here is a list of what I know of (I'm sure to forget something): Chevy crate motor, FB385 with 435HP cam kit, B&M modified TH350 transmission. B&M stall converter (I think that is the brand I bought), Stainless steel lined calipers, stainless steel brake lines, stainless steel parking brake components, Centerline polished aluminum custom wheels, All stainless steel exhaust system (had installed it only a few months before "the event"), fiberglass spring systems, front and back with matching sway bars, all fully adjustable, Bilstein shock absorbers, custom leather interior with 1979 style seats, rear hatch glass that opens, single serpentine belt system, billet aluminum master cylinder, custom tail lights, molded in front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts, and rear fin, many chromed pieces, and much more. All hoses stainless steel braided with aircraft connectors (mostly russell). You also get any spare parts I have, some of which you can see in one of the photos.
The distributor and carburetor were ruined by the fire and have not been replaced. Intake was removed for inspection (all good!) and is not bolted back on.There were many polished aluminum pieces under the hood. They are all discolored but the only ones that appear to have been damaged were the valve covers. I attempted to polish some of the other pieces and the soot can be polished off. Brakes still work. Engine turns over fine by hand (or by starter if you jump the solenoid). I will be more than happy to answer any questions.