do all birdcages rust?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
My car has spent the last 20+ years in the Northeast. Birdcage is in great shape with only surface rust. Windshield was replaced at one time. I didn't know enough to check it when I bought it so I was just lucky.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: Shoshone Idaho
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 84
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I took off the stainless steel t-top cover and all the inside t-top trim moldings. All looked good except the drivers top side of the front window. took out the seats and seat belts and checked under the carpet. Next I will break out the front window and clean it all up and paint.
i never get tired of showing this..
looks not too bad yeah surface rust. looks minor.. gring off spray gravel guard...
thats what i was thinking when i was checking over my car after a week or two of buyng it. then went to look at the front two mounts:
and this one takes the cake
the guy actually used blocks of wood to brace the birdcage.
i wish i would have went over the car before i bought it.
Tall Boy look in these places...if you dare
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Thanks everyone
I will tell you a sad story in a few weeks. You guys saved me from making a very costly mistake. It cost some to back out of the deal, but not as much as it would have cost me to have it fixxed. I'm forever in your debt. I will document this car so no one else gets burned by it/them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: Shoshone Idaho
Well after breaking out the front window, I did find some rust behind the blythol window sealer (what ever it is called). The rest was light rust on top of the cage, but what I found last night (on the top corner of the window frame) will take some metal fabrication, I would have never found it with out removing the window 
After that unpleasant find and the scary pics in this thread I will be removing the access plates to check the body mounts 
Ofcource....light rust is just what I can remove with steal wool and a cloth, I have no idea how the inside of the cage looks.
I looked hard for rust on this car before I bought
, I now believe evil may be lurking in the dark corners of the vette 
After that unpleasant find and the scary pics in this thread I will be removing the access plates to check the body mounts Ofcource....light rust is just what I can remove with steal wool and a cloth, I have no idea how the inside of the cage looks.
I looked hard for rust on this car before I bought
, I now believe evil may be lurking in the dark corners of the vette
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: Litchfield NH
i never get tired of showing this..
looks not too bad yeah surface rust. looks minor.. gring off spray gravel guard...
thats what i was thinking when i was checking over my car after a week or two of buyng it. then went to look at the front two mounts:
and this one takes the cake
the guy actually used blocks of wood to brace the birdcage.
i wish i would have went over the car before i bought it.
Tall Boy look in these places...if you dare
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Ok I'll bite
. Here a couples of pics of a birdcage.
The bird cage is the frame of the fiberglass body of the car. When they builded the car it's the first thing they assembled. After assembly it looks like the top pic. then they would encase this frame with the fibreglass windshield and the rest. then put the front of the car.
It's called a bird cage because it ressemble a bird cage
But seriously
What the hell is a BIRDCAGE??????
. Here a couples of pics of a birdcage. The bird cage is the frame of the fiberglass body of the car. When they builded the car it's the first thing they assembled. After assembly it looks like the top pic. then they would encase this frame with the fibreglass windshield and the rest. then put the front of the car.
It's called a bird cage because it ressemble a bird cage
But seriously
What the hell is a BIRDCAGE??????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,780
Likes: 1,936
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
LIVES !!
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I am curios did all of the cars that showed little to no rust have the original windshield, I think the main reason for the rust is that the seal around the windshield get old and cracks and water from even car washes gets in there and starts the rust.
My 69 spent 2 years in Main and then the rest of its life in the southwest, Arizona and south Texas and had no rust.
My 69 spent 2 years in Main and then the rest of its life in the southwest, Arizona and south Texas and had no rust.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 0
From: midlothian texas
the glass guy told me never to use the chord seal that came with the windsheild. because that was the cause. i'm sure glad i need a windshield .
also we can blame g.m for the rust
if they had the window seal that they now use on the newer cars there would not be as many issues with the cage ntq
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
Likes: 291
From: Ocala FL
No one planned or designed for them to be this old.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
I can tell you first hand though it is no small task but is do able with a lot of research that for me included fiberglass vette panel repair books, eckler's fiberglass DVD, and other forum members pics all of which helped to show the bonding areas. You will also need a lot patience so take your time or you will create repair work, some common sense and a heat gun. A lot of the parts for your birdcage that rust are replaceable and can be purchased and welded in.Here is my progress so far and only need to remove the firewall today I am thinking that I would like to then have it dipped along with the frame which I have already stripped down.
K
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
Remove the kick/vent panels at the side of the foot wells. Also remove the little access plates at the front of the rear wheel wells. Here's an '82 that was missing a #3 body mount rear access plate. My thumb is through the hole where the plate is supposed to be.
