A-Pillar Rust
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
A-Pillar Rust
How prevelant is A-Pillar rust on C3's? It's been a few years since I owned a C3, but I don't remember rust as being an issue. I'm getting ready to get another C3. The owner said that there had been the beginnings of "surface rust" on the A-Pillars, but he repaired it, by grinding it off, and applying rust inhibitor, then repainted them. When I inspect this car in person, what do i need to look for? TIA 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
If the car has always been an Oklahoma car you probably will get a pretty solid car. Rocker channels and bird cage are the weakest link for rust-out in my opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
From: Edgewater (20 miles south of Daytona) Florida
Originally Posted by CMYC4GO
How prevelant is A-Pillar rust on C3's? It's been a few years since I owned a C3, but I don't remember rust as being an issue. I'm getting ready to get another C3. The owner said that there had been the beginnings of "surface rust" on the A-Pillars, but he repaired it, by grinding it off, and applying rust inhibitor, then repainted them. When I inspect this car in person, what do i need to look for? TIA
Glenn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by 1970-Bronze
What exactly needs to be removed to check?
In the rear wheel well (front) there is an access panel to check the
#3 body mount area - bottom of lock piller and rear of rocker.
Good Luck
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 234
From: Lawrence Kansas
I had heard about the rust problems on these cars and had seen surface rust and thought that was what was being discussed. Last Saturday I looked at a 76 for sale that actuall had a nickel size hole rusted all the way through the passenger windshield pillar, lots of surface rust with silicone ove it and holes rusted throught the floor the size of a bagel and frame rotted away in 3 or 4 inch sections. Now I realize how important it is to look. The owner said he didn't know there was a rust problem. It wasn't a bad looking car. I passed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Originally Posted by NHvette
The kick panels will reveal the lower hinge pillar and front of rocker.
In the rear wheel well (front) there is an access panel to check the
#3 body mount area - bottom of lock piller and rear of rocker.
Good Luck
In the rear wheel well (front) there is an access panel to check the
#3 body mount area - bottom of lock piller and rear of rocker.
Good Luck
I'm not sure I understand the front. I just need to remove the interior kick panel? I ws thinking I need to remove the windshield trim.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Originally Posted by 1970-Bronze
Ok I know where the rear access panel is - which side is #3?
I'm not sure I understand the front. I just need to remove the interior kick panel? I ws thinking I need to remove the windshield trim.
I'm not sure I understand the front. I just need to remove the interior kick panel? I ws thinking I need to remove the windshield trim.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
