The truth about "BUMPS"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg PA
The truth about "BUMPS"
Hello. Are the bumps on the front original or not? This is a question I have had for a long time.I have owned my 68 corvette since 1974. I have never wrecked it but I am about to do an off frame restoration. Tonight I had a "professional appraiser" look at the car for the reason I am going to put antiques tags on it and insure it through JC Taylor.
Some people tell me the bumps are from rivets used to hold a replacement front clip that would have been installed after the car was wrecked.
Others tell me that the bumps are a sign that it is the original front clip and not to have them removed during the restoration.
I am not sure who to believe. Any comments or opinions you have would be welcome.
Below are 2 pictures of the bumps on the front of the car. You have to look hard but there are 2 rows of bumps. One row just below the hood seam and one row,almost unnoticeable,above the head light door.
Thanks for the great advise from this forum. It rocks
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Some people tell me the bumps are from rivets used to hold a replacement front clip that would have been installed after the car was wrecked.
Others tell me that the bumps are a sign that it is the original front clip and not to have them removed during the restoration.
I am not sure who to believe. Any comments or opinions you have would be welcome.
Below are 2 pictures of the bumps on the front of the car. You have to look hard but there are 2 rows of bumps. One row just below the hood seam and one row,almost unnoticeable,above the head light door.
Thanks for the great advise from this forum. It rocks
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Those are from the original rivets used to bond the headlamp sub-assembly together. Not supposed to be visible, but rust causes distress to the structure. I just repaired this problem on a customers '69. I'll post a pic. or 2 if I can find them.
Here the pic. prior to sand-blasting. After blasting, the assembly is epoxy primed and installed .
Here the pic. prior to sand-blasting. After blasting, the assembly is epoxy primed and installed .
Last edited by big_G; Jul 19, 2006 at 09:58 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I use a commercial heat gun set on "Just below sun" to heat the bumps. Using a blunt end of a screwdriver, press the heated bump flush until it cools. You will need to refinish the paint, as this procedure is somewhat aggressive. Start with less heat, add as necessary. After the bumps are flush, clean up the underside of the surround of rust prior to re-bonding the support. Removing the support is the most critical step, as it's easy to rip into the surround if your not careful. This is a 10 of 10 in relative difficulty, so take your time. (I charge a lot to do this job)....
P.S...I got my first Vette (a 68 Vert which I still have) in June of '74. Way cool!
P.S...I got my first Vette (a 68 Vert which I still have) in June of '74. Way cool!
Last edited by big_G; Jul 19, 2006 at 10:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg PA
Thanks for the info guys. I was always wondering what caused the bumps. The photos you sent show exactly how it happens. I had always thought that someone wrecked it before I purchased the car.
This forum rules when it comes to information.
This forum rules when it comes to information.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 87
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by MIKER
You can see the rivits on this 1970 view-through Vette.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
I suspect that, since you live in a quite humid environment, the rivets rusted and bulged. I think a proper restoration would include grinding them down or removing them in some acceptable fashion.
The front clip is probably original, but they didn't roll off the assembly line with visible bumps...
Good luck
The front clip is probably original, but they didn't roll off the assembly line with visible bumps...
Good luck
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Now this is an interesting thread. One member has a question about the bumps on his car, and wonders what it is, and another member has a cutaway view of a vette showing where the rivets are located. Nice answer to a puzzling question.
kdf
kdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
If you do a search either in this section or the C3 Tech section there was a forum member that had the same problem and posted detailed pictures on fixing them.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
We just did my Yellow 68, i`m finally going to put it back together after setting for 33 years. If any one is interested in how and what materials we used, E mail me at wallyknoch@aol.com and I can send several pictures of before and after. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Originally Posted by danthony
That's no 70, it's a 69 L-88!!
Either way, it's a really neat display.
I'm going to edit the name and edit my post so the picture will remain but with the correct name.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Originally Posted by big_G
The only other bbc with aluminum heads was the L-89, but it had 3X2 carbs. The air cleaner is an L-88 piece. The parts are available to build a clone, though!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Good grief. That car was parked before I was born. 
Wally Knoch
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
I read a few articles on that 69 L88. it is the only black one known to exist(obviously not black in that picture, but by now the car is finished)
the owner has done some other cool vette display restorations as well.
he planned on showing it one season with the skin off, then completing it. it was in a couple vette mags last year....and yeah, it is real.
the owner has done some other cool vette display restorations as well.
he planned on showing it one season with the skin off, then completing it. it was in a couple vette mags last year....and yeah, it is real.