Noo-B
do all birdcages rust?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
do all birdcages rust?
Hi, I'm a new guy and I want to know if all the birdcages rust even in cars that spent all there life in a dry climate (az,nm,nv,s ca)? Can someone give me an answer about this I want to buy a C3, but I am sort of gunshy after all that I have read about this on the forum. Any help is welcome. Thank in advance grs1982
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I was told my 72 spent most of its life in New Mexico. The birdcage had only surface rust and a couple of very small areas of corrosion. The frame was very good with only surface rust.
But that's only one car.....
But that's only one car.....
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Cary Illinois
I'll go out on a limb and say if they're stored right (and with a little luck) the birdcage will stay factory fresh! My 68 spent it's last 20 or so years in Michigan and the birdcage shows no sign of rust or any type of corrosion. The factory primer is still in mint condition
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
Birdcage
I have a 69 convertible that I am restoring, after lifting the body of the frame and stripping the interior out of the car it was VERY apparent that the birdcage had rusted beyond economical repair. I was lucky.. the local Corvette guru near me had a full birdcage pulled from a wrecked car and replaced the cage.
Yes its a B-I-G job... I am not aware of anyone or company that sell complete birdcages..
Yes its a B-I-G job... I am not aware of anyone or company that sell complete birdcages..
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Rust free frame but a little rust on the birdcage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Although a car in a dry climate won't rust as much, I think the main issue is if the car has been in a garage most of it's life.
After pulling all the trim on my '70 I can see why birdcages rust, the way they are designed is that if any water gets in it just gets trapped (especially around the windscreen frame). Luckily my car had been in a garage most of its life so there was only a slight amount of surface rust with most of the factory paint still on.
To check just pull off all the interior trim (can be time consuming, but worth the peace of mind)
After pulling all the trim on my '70 I can see why birdcages rust, the way they are designed is that if any water gets in it just gets trapped (especially around the windscreen frame). Luckily my car had been in a garage most of its life so there was only a slight amount of surface rust with most of the factory paint still on.
To check just pull off all the interior trim (can be time consuming, but worth the peace of mind)
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 193
From: Scottsdale Arizona
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.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 91
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From: Mason Ohio
Bircage
Its been a while since I been on here but I would recomend that anytime you buy a vette to pull the speaker covers and the inspection plate at the rear wheels...Trust me when I say this it is an exspensive issue if its gone.
I will post pics of mine.
I will post pics of mine.