C3 Questions
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
C3 Questions
We are looking at buying this 1971 Chevy Corvette
but while looking at 71 vettes weve noticed a big variation in side vents, and some cars have covers for when the roof is down
any info on these would be appriciated, and any other info that could help me out when i go to see/inspect the car
but while looking at 71 vettes weve noticed a big variation in side vents, and some cars have covers for when the roof is down
any info on these would be appriciated, and any other info that could help me out when i go to see/inspect the car
Last edited by Blade3562; Apr 29, 2008 at 09:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
we've already contacted the guy and are planning to go up this weekend, but we were wondering what the side egg crate vents should look like, if there should be a cover for when the roof is down, and were wondering what other little details to look at
ill post vin tag pic as soon as i get it
ill post vin tag pic as soon as i get it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
hmm, the last statement "DO HAVE SOMETHING TO TRADE...." Says to me what is the seller saying I want to offload this thing quick and it doesnt even take cash for that to happen, I could be 100 percent wrong just looks alittle funny
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
we've already contacted the guy and are planning to go up this weekend, but we were wondering what the side egg crate vents should look like, if there should be a cover for when the roof is down, and were wondering what other little details to look at
ill post vin tag pic as soon as i get it
ill post vin tag pic as soon as i get it
cover for soft top:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
so the egg crate should ba solid color from what your showing me and the vert top cover should be hinged on to the car
heres 1 pic i have showing some what appears to be surface rust and minor rust(just posted it above but here its is again)
heres 1 pic i have showing some what appears to be surface rust and minor rust(just posted it above but here its is again)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
we've already contacted the guy and are planning to go up this weekend, but we were wondering what the side egg crate vents should look like, if there should be a cover for when the roof is down, and were wondering what other little details to look at
ill post vin tag pic as soon as i get it
ill post vin tag pic as soon as i get it
Otherwise, I'm not really sure what you are looking at.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
I can't really tell from your pics of the eggcrate grilles, but if there is no chrome showing on the edges (both vertical and horizontal), then perhaps the car's been repainted and the chrome edges got painted over. If that's the case ... it can still be scraped off (carefully).
Otherwise, I'm not really sure what you are looking at.
Otherwise, I'm not really sure what you are looking at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
I would look at the frame and birdcage very good after seeing this picture
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
That doesn't really look too pretty. Check the rear frame kick-ups and do a thorough check of the windshield frame and the rest of teh birdcage. The owner probably will not let you, but try to lightly tap the frame with a hammer and see if it looks rotted.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,303
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
If you're not very familiar with Corvettes of this era, it would be a good idea to find someone that you trust who is, to look at the car with you.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I love 71's.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I love 71's.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
From: Morris County, NJ
that doesn't look like surface rust to me- but WTH do I know?
Get a hold of someone who knows these cars-even if you have to pay em 250 bucks-I think youv'e decided to buy this car already without taking the time to really check it out. Not flaming, just a gut feeling
Get a hold of someone who knows these cars-even if you have to pay em 250 bucks-I think youv'e decided to buy this car already without taking the time to really check it out. Not flaming, just a gut feeling
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,001
Likes: 6,214
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
What is this "cover" you are talking about? The rear deck lid?
The side vents are often different versions of painted or not. This might be the least of your concerns.
13 posts in and I still don't see any reference to the engine numbers. Is this going to be one of those, "but the seller told me it was original" stories?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
That differential mount has at least 3 areas that I can see in the pic that would produce holes if tapped on with a hammer. If the differential crossmember is in similar shape you would be looking at a frame replacement to get the car into safe condition. The old sales adage "sell the sizzle not the steak" applies especially to old Vettes. A shiny paint job, new interior and spray-can engine resto can cover up a lot of ugliness underneath. Take a pointed body hammer with you when you go to look at the car. If the frame is solid the seller shouldn't object to you tapping lightly on the frame. If you hear a lot of dull thuds that is is a sign of serious rust. If the seller refuses he probably knows the frame has problems so walk away.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
the car has been repainted but thats about it on the car i believe and we decided from what you guys said not to go for this 1, but look for a different 71 or 72 c3 vert
thanks for all the help!
-Adam
thanks for all the help!
-Adam
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Don't be so quick to bail out. That looks like a pretty nice vert. There should be concern about the rear differential crossmember, it needs to be looked at and the frame checked but that will be true for every vehicle you look at. There is no way you can tell from the pictures how bad it is.
You need to get a look at the car while it is up on a lift and do some tests as previously indicated. That is a pretty nice looking car and $18K price is right in line. If you post pictures of any car on this forum you can expect it to be torn apart. It is real easy to do from a distance and by only looking at pictures.
You need to get a look at the car while it is up on a lift and do some tests as previously indicated. That is a pretty nice looking car and $18K price is right in line. If you post pictures of any car on this forum you can expect it to be torn apart. It is real easy to do from a distance and by only looking at pictures.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
I would be very concerned about the rust that is visible in the pics. If there is that amount of rust on the diff. and crossmember, there is bound to be plenty in the birdcage and rear kickups. Those areas can be VERY expensive to repair. For 18K, I would expect a better SB car. There is a new CF member who just picked up a really nice '73 for 12.5 K. Keep looking, you will find better cars then this one.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Don't be so quick to bail out. That looks like a pretty nice vert. There should be concern about the rear differential crossmember, it needs to be looked at and the frame checked but that will be true for every vehicle you look at. There is no way you can tell from the pictures how bad it is.
You need to get a look at the car while it is up on a lift and do some tests as previously indicated. That is a pretty nice looking car and $18K price is right in line. If you post pictures of any car on this forum you can expect it to be torn apart. It is real easy to do from a distance and by only looking at pictures.
You need to get a look at the car while it is up on a lift and do some tests as previously indicated. That is a pretty nice looking car and $18K price is right in line. If you post pictures of any car on this forum you can expect it to be torn apart. It is real easy to do from a distance and by only looking at pictures.
, other than the frame rust the body and everything else is solid
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Good luck on your search and don't give up; there are many nice vettes out there waiting for a new owner.