How Ramen Noodles Make a Cool Corvette Bodywork Hack
How Ramen Noodles Make a Cool Corvette Bodywork Hack
function socialpopup(url, title, w, h) {
var left = (screen.width/2)-(w/2);
var top = (screen.height/2)-(h/2);
return window.open(url, title, ‘menubar=no, toolbar=no, resizable=yes, scrollbars=no, location=no, directories=no, status=no, copyhistory=no, width=’ + w + ‘, height=’ + h + ‘, top=’ + top + ‘, left=’ + left);
}
No soup for you! Because it’s in the C8. Seriously. What can’t you do with a Corvette, imagination, and a little Bondo?
When it comes to do-it-yourself repairs, everyone tends to reach for the Bondo. But as we just learned, you might want to check out the pantry first. As it turns out Ramen noodles might help with some bodywork problems. One clever Corvette owner turned to the dorm room staple to fix up his damaged C8.
Judah Findley of Judah’s Garage has been on a somewhat epic and rocky journey to Corvette ownership. Findley purchased his 2020 C8 Corvette through a Copart auction a few months ago. It was a 2020 Ceramic Matrix Gray Corvette in need of a few repairs.
Okay, more than a few. The reason this particular Corvette caught his eye is that it was the same Corvette once owned by rapper Rod Wave who unfortunately crashed it only a month after taking ownership. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the dust up.
But the beautiful Stingray was in bad shape.
View this post on Instagram
Thankfully, Judah’s Garage is well-equipped to handle the challenge. In a series of videos, Findley and his crew have been documenting the whole story. From picking up the ‘Vette, to assessing the damage, breaking it down, and starting the rebuild.
The rebuilding process has has its expected share of ups and downs. So far, the build is coming along very well. Judah has already tackled fixing the frame and suspension.
As the project rolls along, some roadblocks are in the form of headaches from getting parts. After yet another frustrating miscommunication over parts, Findley came up with an idea: Ramen noodles! Well, we didn’t say it was a conventional idea.
And to be clear, that isn’t slang. Yes, we mean actual Ramen noodles. Chicken flavored, for those taking notes.
But there is logic to this, and it’s sound. After yet again failing to get the frame rail and rocker he needs to work on the door, he is at an impasse. To continue the work he needs something to solidify the door for he can continue with fitment, and other issues.
After looking around for ideas, team member Mathieu suggests Ramen noodles and Bondo. Why not? Ultimately, Findley will have both doors replaced. But with mounting costs and just the desire to get this bad buy on the road, this works as a short term solution.
First, he adheres together blocks of Ramen noodles wit the trusty glue gun. The noodle blocks are then placed inside and fit in the doors.
#gallery-1 {
margin: auto;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-item {
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 50%;
}
#gallery-1 img {
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {
margin-left: 0;
}
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Next they mix Bondo with a hardener and spackle over the wall of noodles. Then it is sanded it all down. Lather, rinse, repeat. Odd as it may sound, this works. It gives the doors a nice smooth edge and the right heft to sub in until the door can be replaced.
Yes, the guys are laughing about using noodles on a C8 Corvette, and how very OEM this is, well, not. But hey, it works!
Necessity is the mother of invention, and if Ramen noodles help get the C8’s fitment and bodywork closer to the road, then why not? Just don’t get it too wet. Oh, the delicious humanity….
Follow Judah and his build on YouTube. Lots of great tips, and impressive garage skills. But most of all, they are having a blast doing the rebuild. Restoring a 2020 Stingray is a thrilling project, and Judah is a talent, and a true profectionist. We expect this Corvette will emerge as a Corvette that will turn heads and rattle bones.
Photo: Copart
