When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Was wondering if I could get some input on what you guys think of the undercarriage on this Corvette?
Is it surface rust?
Should I have concerns?
How can it be repaired properly?
What you're looking at is likely just surface rust, but if it was me, I'd want it inspected before going too far. There may be a surprise or two under there.
It probably is only surface rust, but extensive all over and even already inside the rails. To conserve this chassis correctly, the body needs to come off. This also because you will not be able to clean the rust away on the aft kickup rails.
My white 68 BB cabrio has 95.000 Miles and the chassis looked much better, but some potential buyers already complaint and did not take it.
It took me 4 afternoons of work to brush all off and treat it with rust converter. Still not repainted. Lots of work and lots of areas you can't get to. My hands look like if they have been put through a mill.
If this car has only 35.000 and was never driven through snow or salt, it must have been standing a long time in a highly humid garage.
In my opinion, $14K for a '78 Silver Anniversary, the underside should be a little bit more cleaner. Looks like all new paint, interior, engine bay is cleaned up, but the oil pan is rusty and no obvious signs any cleanup effort to the underside? At $10K, I'd take a chance.
That rust is a bit more than just surface rust. It doesn't look all that bad but when the frame is cleaned up there will be some pitting in the surfaces. The differential crossmember looks a bit more rusted than the side rails and can be a major problem if there are rust holes. Everything comes together at the diff crossmember so any weakness there is a safety issue.
If you can't inspect the car personally I would pass on it for the price they are asking.