For an '80 to '81 to be in that bad of shape, you would do better to keep searching.
interesting problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi TX
interesting problem
today i came across an 1980 -81 C3 where it had been sitting for at least 10 years. now the guy who bought it was "trying" to get it running but he came across an interesting problem. the doors had rusted through and the area where the doors mount on the hinges are gone eaten away from the rust so bad the doors are almost falling off the driver side and its rusted closed on the passenger side. my question to you guys is is it worth to fix and get it running and if so where can i get those parts to fix it or is it completely gone. thanks for the help guys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Run do not walk away from that car.
If the birdcage is rusted to the point where the door hinges are coming off then the whole birdcage needs to be replaced. If the birdcage needs replacing you can almost bet the frame is shot. If the engine has not been started in 10 years it will not start tomorrow. And it will go on, and on, and on. The car sounds like a parts car. If you want to take it apart and sell the parts on Ebay you can but whether that would be worthwhile is only a guess.
If the birdcage is rusted to the point where the door hinges are coming off then the whole birdcage needs to be replaced. If the birdcage needs replacing you can almost bet the frame is shot. If the engine has not been started in 10 years it will not start tomorrow. And it will go on, and on, and on. The car sounds like a parts car. If you want to take it apart and sell the parts on Ebay you can but whether that would be worthwhile is only a guess.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
I'm thinking this is what we call a "parts car".
How are the wheels, t-tops (glass?), emblems (81's are somewhat hard to find) some engine items like breather cover, smog pump, etc might bring a few $$. There might be a few other items but to answer your question - from what you've described; run, don't walk!
How are the wheels, t-tops (glass?), emblems (81's are somewhat hard to find) some engine items like breather cover, smog pump, etc might bring a few $$. There might be a few other items but to answer your question - from what you've described; run, don't walk!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Even if the hinge problem is confined to the door, there is no way the doors got that bad and the frame/birdcage hasn't been affected. This car is almost certainly going to have some serious rot issues.
