FLORIDA

Side pipes install question - Did the factory equipped side pipe cars have the rocker panel trim braces welded to the bird cage. I have seen them bent out of the way or the vertical section cut off for clearance when side pipes were added. I am trying to wire brush up inside the bird cage sill. I could get better access if I cut off the entire rocker brackets. (body is off frame). So does a factory side pipe car have any horizontal braces across the bottom of the bird cage sill?

jrm5657

No. Any car with the brackets bent back or cut off was not a factory pipe car.

FLORIDA

Sorry. I did not ask the question clearly. Does a factory side pipe car have any horizontal braces across the bottom of the bird cage? If I remove the entire bracket will it look correct?

Nowhere Man

Yes it will be correct.

FLORIDA

Thanks. I will cut them off tonight. That will make my life easier.

Velox

There were no horizontal braces across the bottom of the birdcage on an original sidepipe car. If you remove the brackets the car then will then appear more like a sidepipe car EXCEPT that original sidepipe cars had notches factory cut out of the bottom of the birdcage to accommodate sidepipe cover hardware (see photo showing notches along birdcage). There were many other "tells" of a real side pipe car, but the St.Louis body only birdcage notches are fairly definitive and very difficult to fake

65hihp

I fail to see any upside in helping to create faked cars by posting an image like above in reference to the question asked.

John BX NY

No secrets there...The size and location of the cutouts is common knowledge.

65hihp

It certainly will be now.

mike coletta

I fail to see any upside in making a post like this. That wasn't the question, and it's his car. Get over yourself....and your secrets.

Mike Coletta

65hihp

No. But thanks.

65hihp

FLORIDA

I will not be using the brackets. Some are rusted out and also in my way for cleaning and painting. I do not intend to create a fake. I just do not like to hack up a good Corvette. I do appreciate the factory stock appearance with some slight mods. Thanks for the feedback.