What To Do About Rusted Chassis
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
What To Do About Rusted Chassis
Hey,
I bought a 69 vette from a shady dealer in Ohio that lied to me about the condition of this vette. Imagine that.
I know that I should have had it checked out first but nonetheless I am stuck with it unless I decide to file a lawsuit against them.
My question is what can I do about the rust problem. It is rusted at the rear kickups and about a foot toward the front(Which was hidden with undercoat). It is rusted through on the kickups but partially rusted going forward towards the front of the vehicle.
Is there anyone in the DFW area that can do this repair and do you have any rough ballpark as to what it would cost to fix this? thx
I bought a 69 vette from a shady dealer in Ohio that lied to me about the condition of this vette. Imagine that.
I know that I should have had it checked out first but nonetheless I am stuck with it unless I decide to file a lawsuit against them.
My question is what can I do about the rust problem. It is rusted at the rear kickups and about a foot toward the front(Which was hidden with undercoat). It is rusted through on the kickups but partially rusted going forward towards the front of the vehicle.
Is there anyone in the DFW area that can do this repair and do you have any rough ballpark as to what it would cost to fix this? thx
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,365
Likes: 6,345
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
The body needs to be pulled off the frame, the frame sections have to be cut out, and new frame sections have to be welded in. I've gone through this, and it's a bit of work. Your other option is to find a good used frame and replace the frame. Either way, costs will likely be in the $5000 - $8000 range. If you do it yourself, costs will be under $1000, including the cost of the welder.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
as Lars has said it's a lot of work. Our club is doing a frame replacement on an '80 for a young man that was sold a car with a frame with major cracks in it.
Typically a used frame in good condition will run you in the range of $1200-$1500. Factor in additional expenses on top of that because when you lift the body off the frame to either repair or replace it you will be sure to find other parts that will need to be replaced and/or refurbished.
Having a shop do the work for you can get very pricey because it is a lot of labor involved but it's easy to drop the car off to a shop and pick it up a month later after it's finished if you can afford it. doing it yourself is more work but will save you many thousands of dollars.
you can get an idea of what's involved by looking at the pictures of the frame replacement we have going on currently:
http://vetteclub.org/1980_Project/1980project.html
Typically a used frame in good condition will run you in the range of $1200-$1500. Factor in additional expenses on top of that because when you lift the body off the frame to either repair or replace it you will be sure to find other parts that will need to be replaced and/or refurbished.
Having a shop do the work for you can get very pricey because it is a lot of labor involved but it's easy to drop the car off to a shop and pick it up a month later after it's finished if you can afford it. doing it yourself is more work but will save you many thousands of dollars.
you can get an idea of what's involved by looking at the pictures of the frame replacement we have going on currently:
http://vetteclub.org/1980_Project/1980project.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Call a lawyer in the state that the dealer operates from. There are laws regarding selling a car that is safe to drive. If it is unsafe they can not sell it in most states. They are taking advantage because you are an out of state buyer and they figure you will not pursue them in their home state because it is too much work.
Contact a lawyer and also the better business bureau and the Motor vehicle department. If you make enough of a stink the dealer will do what they can to make you stop. Don't take it lying down it will just encourage this guy to screw someone else. Replacing the frame or repairing it will cost you thousands.
Contact a lawyer and also the better business bureau and the Motor vehicle department. If you make enough of a stink the dealer will do what they can to make you stop. Don't take it lying down it will just encourage this guy to screw someone else. Replacing the frame or repairing it will cost you thousands.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
http://www.dynamiccorvettes.com/frames.htm
I finally got lucky and found the frame below locally for $800. It's rock-solid. Ain't that the way it works?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Call a lawyer in the state that the dealer operates from. There are laws regarding selling a car that is safe to drive. If it is unsafe they can not sell it in most states. They are taking advantage because you are an out of state buyer and they figure you will not pursue them in their home state because it is too much work.
Contact a lawyer and also the better business bureau and the Motor vehicle department. If you make enough of a stink the dealer will do what they can to make you stop. Don't take it lying down it will just encourage this guy to screw someone else. Replacing the frame or repairing it will cost you thousands.
Contact a lawyer and also the better business bureau and the Motor vehicle department. If you make enough of a stink the dealer will do what they can to make you stop. Don't take it lying down it will just encourage this guy to screw someone else. Replacing the frame or repairing it will cost you thousands.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I just had a customer have his 75,000 returned for a 65 vette.
But some of these companys will just wear you down with all their postponing and delays.Most people just give up.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
There are some frames on e-bay ranging in price from $400-$1500. I wouldn't buy one sight-unseen, so you don't get screwed again. But a whole frame may be the way to go. All I can see is metalwork in your future the other way. Or maybe your checkbook is big and you could have a shop do the work? Either way, register a complaint about the seller with the BBB and state AG's office. Even if you don't sue, they'll have a record and maybe someone in the future will be saved getting hurt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Go ahead and open a lawsuit, otherwise you will encourage them to keep doing that B$ to others as well!
What ever you'll pay to fix your car (which will be alot) will be enough to hire a lawer and almost sure you're going to win it.
What ever you'll pay to fix your car (which will be alot) will be enough to hire a lawer and almost sure you're going to win it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
On the legal side of things, proceed carefully. As everyone's noted, first step is to register a complaint with your local BBB - their role is solely to act as a mediator for the complaint. I would sit down and talk with an attorney regarding the laws in your state regarding used car sales.
If this was from a dealer and they're not in an exempt state, the FTC Used Car Rule applies. They must have had a Buyer's Guide associated with the car. If the Buyer's Guide "AS IS - NO WARRANTY" was checked then you likely have no legal recourse regardless of any verbal comments regarding condition. You didn't need to sign anything, and contrary to popular belief there's no Federal (although there may be state/local) restrictions on selling a car that's unsafe - that's the buyer's responsibility to determine.
It sucks
If this was from a dealer and they're not in an exempt state, the FTC Used Car Rule applies. They must have had a Buyer's Guide associated with the car. If the Buyer's Guide "AS IS - NO WARRANTY" was checked then you likely have no legal recourse regardless of any verbal comments regarding condition. You didn't need to sign anything, and contrary to popular belief there's no Federal (although there may be state/local) restrictions on selling a car that's unsafe - that's the buyer's responsibility to determine.
It sucks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 847
Likes: 1
From: spring branch texas
Sounds like you got one like my 71 but I bought it planning on doing a frame off and bought another rolling chassis for $1600. The frame may be the least of your worries though because when the frame is that bad the rear body mounts and birdcage are usally in the same condition.
Good luck
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 13
From: ar
Here is the title of a photo essay I did a few months ago on the C2 forum converting a 76 frame to a 63. It would be a very similar switch and you can buy nice 73 - 79 frames for around 1000 bucks and sell off the chassis pieces for close to that and only have time and labor in your new frame.
Converting a 76 frame for my 63 vert
Jeff
Converting a 76 frame for my 63 vert
Jeff
Last edited by silverslashstreak; Aug 14, 2007 at 03:16 PM. Reason: changed a number