Looking at a 76 ????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 2
From: Westminster Maryland
St. Jude Donor '08
Looking at a 76 ????
My buddy is looking at a 76 coop this weekend, is there anything we should make sure we checkout. Any place that rust is a problem spot on a 76. 
I have a 60, so I don't know these new models.
Thanks for any help.
I have a 60, so I don't know these new models.
Thanks for any help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
There have been many threads on this subject, including a very nicely written summary of places to look that was posted just the other day. A quick search should turn them up. There will be good descriptions of birdcage areas and places on the frame to watch. These are common to all C3's.
On 76's specifically, look closely at the floor pans. I'm told that they were galvanized from 78 onward and that this helped a lot (unless you have a 76!). It's not impossible to repair or replace these, but it will add time and expense.
On 76's specifically, look closely at the floor pans. I'm told that they were galvanized from 78 onward and that this helped a lot (unless you have a 76!). It's not impossible to repair or replace these, but it will add time and expense.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
The bottom of the radiator support is almost always rusted out, sometimes to nothing.....Something to keep in mind of the price for the car when a new one costs around 300 bucks, unless you are a good welder. Also if you can see the corners of the windshield on the birdcage...thats a usual as well. Some of the other places for rust are ones that you can't see....You might be on your own there.
However you can usually gauge what the hidden spots might look like according to the rest of the car. If the car looks pretty good all around you might not have anything to worry about....but if it's got some rough areas that you can see, plan for finding some in the future...just my .02 cents
However you can usually gauge what the hidden spots might look like according to the rest of the car. If the car looks pretty good all around you might not have anything to worry about....but if it's got some rough areas that you can see, plan for finding some in the future...just my .02 cents
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati oh
In addition to what those before me said I would check out the body mounts. Pull the kick panels off in near your feet and check the birdcage at the #2 mount on each side. If there is rust there, chances are it is up near the winsheild. Also the #4 mount in the rear wheel well. Not quite as expensive and time cosuming to fix, but worth looking at.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by Vette Gator
On 76's specifically, look closely at the floor pans. I'm told that they were galvanized from 78 onward and that this helped a lot (unless you have a 76!). It's not impossible to repair or replace these, but it will add time and expense.
On the later model C3s you have to have a good idea of what a pristine car is worth and be able to estimate how much $ it would take to make the car you are looking at pristine. If the numbers are too far off it might be better to look at another car.
If you have different motivations - learning experience, family project, want to t-off significant other, etc., realize that pretty much anything that is wrong with a Vette can be fixed or replaced. You just need time and money.
Rick B.
