'68 Original engine convertable
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
'68 Original engine convertable
Hey Folks,
I am a C1 guy, but have a friend with a '68 numbers matching A/C 4 speed he is looking to let go of. Everything looks "ok", but there is rust around the windshield frame and not sure if this is a big no-no or if birdcage issues were only a big deal on C2s. He has offered me the car for $15K
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Remotecontroller
I am a C1 guy, but have a friend with a '68 numbers matching A/C 4 speed he is looking to let go of. Everything looks "ok", but there is rust around the windshield frame and not sure if this is a big no-no or if birdcage issues were only a big deal on C2s. He has offered me the car for $15K
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Remotecontroller
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,971
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Air convertibles have great value, so it would be worth exploring. Find out the options and verify the numbers. As said, rust could be a major deterrent. Check the kickups if other parts of the car are suggesting rust.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
327/350HP engine, A/C, PS, PB, Posi, 4 speed. The windshield area is supposed to be the only place with rust - when I go to see it what should I look for specifically? I will get pictures and post if you think this car is worthy of pursuit.
thanks,
Remotecontroller
thanks,
Remotecontroller
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,164
Likes: 4,242
From: Westminster Maryland
Since you know there's rust you should take off the interior kick panels so you can get a good look at the hinge pillars, that water's been going somewhere. You should also try to see the condition of the body mounts. Check out the frame at the kick-up in front of rear wheels including opening the access panels in the rear wheel wells so you can get a look at the lock pillar.
It's possible the windshield frame might be all the rust or it could be the first sign of lots of rust.
What the car is worth depends on how much rust there is. Some car's need to be passed on at any price. Some are a relatively straight forward repair. Rusty cars can be a VERY deep $$$ pit to fall in to.
Regards,
Alan
It's possible the windshield frame might be all the rust or it could be the first sign of lots of rust.
What the car is worth depends on how much rust there is. Some car's need to be passed on at any price. Some are a relatively straight forward repair. Rusty cars can be a VERY deep $$$ pit to fall in to.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 328
From: Indy Indiana
I have heard where rust in the windshield frame was all they could find, but i think that is extremely rare, or someone is not accepting reality... windshield frame rust usually means birdcage rust, because yes, the water has to go somewhere.. if you have frame or windshield frame or birdcage rust as an either/or, it usually means all 3..
correct me anybody if I am wrong?....
correct me anybody if I am wrong?....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
I have heard where rust in the windshield frame was all they could find, but i think that is extremely rare, or someone is not accepting reality... windshield frame rust usually means birdcage rust, because yes, the water has to go somewhere.. if you have frame or windshield frame or birdcage rust as an either/or, it usually means all 3..
correct me anybody if I am wrong?....
correct me anybody if I am wrong?....
Alan - what is the lock you mentioned behind the inspection access plate in the rear wheelwell?
Thanks again!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
thanks Guys - i will check out things per Alan71's suggestions. The car has been in a garage for 20 years so there shouldn't be recent rain getting to it, but clearly something is going on. Sounds like the windshield area isn't the most prone place for rusting, right?
Alan - what is the lock you mentioned behind the inspection access plate in the rear wheelwell?
Thanks again!!
Alan - what is the lock you mentioned behind the inspection access plate in the rear wheelwell?
Thanks again!!
Behind/inside the fiberglass is the rear section of the birdcage, and the #3 body mounts. If you remove the small panel in the inner quarter, you'll see them. Think they're held on by 2 screws w/ 1/4" heads.
get a good look in there as well as the #2 body mounts behind the kick panels. Also a good idea to snap a number of "blind" shots with a digital camera up in these areas to get a better idea of what you can't see.
With that said, a rusty windshield frame doesn't gaurantee your bird cage is equally as bad. My 69 coupe had a pretty bad w/s frame, but a fairly good 'cage.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
Hey folks,
I just got done looking at the car - the kickups have surface rust, but are solid (banged on the with a hammer). I did not get into the inspection plate area in front of the rear wheel, but assumed if kickups are good, those likely are too. I would check before buying, however.
On the windshield, I was wrong about what the issue is (but you guys probably already knew what I was talking about) - the vertical channels/backing that go up the side of the windsheild are where the rust is. It is on both sides, but the area on the driver's side is where the vin tag is. Things under the kick panels look ok, and the doors don't sag/do close well so I don't think there are issues below the windshield level. I saw a book that details doing the repair, so it seems this is not a new problem without solution - I just don't know how difficult it would be to fix.
I took pictures, but will not be able to post them until tonight.
Anyway, since all but the windshield wrap/channel seems to be ok, would you guys say this is a good find??
thanks,
Ken
I just got done looking at the car - the kickups have surface rust, but are solid (banged on the with a hammer). I did not get into the inspection plate area in front of the rear wheel, but assumed if kickups are good, those likely are too. I would check before buying, however.
On the windshield, I was wrong about what the issue is (but you guys probably already knew what I was talking about) - the vertical channels/backing that go up the side of the windsheild are where the rust is. It is on both sides, but the area on the driver's side is where the vin tag is. Things under the kick panels look ok, and the doors don't sag/do close well so I don't think there are issues below the windshield level. I saw a book that details doing the repair, so it seems this is not a new problem without solution - I just don't know how difficult it would be to fix.
I took pictures, but will not be able to post them until tonight.
Anyway, since all but the windshield wrap/channel seems to be ok, would you guys say this is a good find??
thanks,
Ken
Last edited by remotecontroller; Sep 23, 2008 at 02:28 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,164
Likes: 4,242
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Ken,
If you search for the threads about 'windshield frame/ birdcage' rust you'll find that ALMOST ALWAYS there turns out to be more rust, BUT NOT ALWAYS.
A car with rust showing is always worth less than a car that's known to be rust free.
You're betting that it was just a small windshield leak. As I said and others, too, that water has to get out somewhere, and what, if anything, does it damage on the way?
You'll see ALL levels of problems in the threads about rust.
I'll be interested to see your pictures.
"Is it a good find?" Yes, a 68, Convertible, 4-Speed, A/C car is a GOOD find. What do you want this car to be?
Regards,
Alan
If you search for the threads about 'windshield frame/ birdcage' rust you'll find that ALMOST ALWAYS there turns out to be more rust, BUT NOT ALWAYS.
A car with rust showing is always worth less than a car that's known to be rust free.
You're betting that it was just a small windshield leak. As I said and others, too, that water has to get out somewhere, and what, if anything, does it damage on the way?
You'll see ALL levels of problems in the threads about rust.
I'll be interested to see your pictures.
"Is it a good find?" Yes, a 68, Convertible, 4-Speed, A/C car is a GOOD find. What do you want this car to be?
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
Hey folks,
Here are some of the pictures. The first 3 are of the area around the kickups (2 from driver side and one from passenger) and the windshield surround are one from each side. The passenger side seems worse. Please let me know what you think.
thanks!!
Here are some of the pictures. The first 3 are of the area around the kickups (2 from driver side and one from passenger) and the windshield surround are one from each side. The passenger side seems worse. Please let me know what you think.
thanks!!
Last edited by remotecontroller; Aug 17, 2010 at 12:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Been there once, never again.
Based on the two pictures showing the windshield posts, it's time to run away. Sorry.
Last edited by Mike Ward; Sep 23, 2008 at 10:52 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
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From: North Alabama
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
327/350HP engine, A/C, PS, PB, Posi, 4 speed. The windshield area is supposed to be the only place with rust - when I go to see it what should I look for specifically? I will get pictures and post if you think this car is worthy of pursuit.
thanks,
Remotecontroller
thanks,
Remotecontroller
And, it depends on what you mean by worthy of pursuit.
Do you want a car to sink a bunch of money into for your on pleasure?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
OK - thanks guys. I was thinking about this last night and kinda arrived at the same conclusion on my own (over my head and too many unknowns). I do not want to dump a ton of money into it, and even if the rust weren't there, I feel this will be more involved to get it to driver quality then I was expecting it to be. I have a somewhat limited budget (and even more limited time) to do it. I think I need something that can be driven from date of purchase that I can bite pieces off of one at a time. This car doesn't fit this type of project very well.
Thanks again for all of your help!!!