Going look at a '73
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
It depends what you are buying it for and what it is being sold as.
That aside, in your neck of the woods I would really look it over for rust. After 35 years every bolt is stuck anyhow, you are really looking for structural damage due to rust.
That aside, in your neck of the woods I would really look it over for rust. After 35 years every bolt is stuck anyhow, you are really looking for structural damage due to rust.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Go to Corvettefaq and check out their inspection series 3 parts. The link to part 1 is listed below.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part1.htm
Roger
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part1.htm
Roger
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
The main thing you don't want to find is rust. Check the frame for holes. Take a screw driver and polk at it. Make sure the driver doesn't go through.
Check the birdcage - remove the lower kick panel on drivers and passangers side and look for rust. Pull carpet up a bit to look there too.
Check rear bearings - raise rear tire and place hand on tire at 12:00 and 6:00 and see if tire wobbles. If so, you need beraings
Check body mounts and make sure there solid. One in rear wheel well, one at rear and front of doors
Take a closer look at the bottum of the car than the top
If thats all good than move to motor,trans, and signs of accidents or body work.
Check the birdcage - remove the lower kick panel on drivers and passangers side and look for rust. Pull carpet up a bit to look there too.
Check rear bearings - raise rear tire and place hand on tire at 12:00 and 6:00 and see if tire wobbles. If so, you need beraings
Check body mounts and make sure there solid. One in rear wheel well, one at rear and front of doors
Take a closer look at the bottum of the car than the top
If thats all good than move to motor,trans, and signs of accidents or body work.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Excellent book!
Excellent book and agree with above.
Also, i would check to see if the brakes are leaking, really need calipers with SS sleeves. Ask if calipers have been replaced and when.
Rust, yes check for rust, check the internet, there is one site somewhere for C3's that has lots of pictures of what happens with rust on C3's. My fuel lines were rusted out and were spliced in front of the right rear tire above the corner gusset to the side rail. The same can happen with the brake lines on the opposite rail. Only way to replace both long lines is pull the body. Agree, really more or equally important to get under the car and look around. Check body mounts, 1thru 4 both sides. My mechanic buddy says they can look really bad but still working if the door seams are even. Nonetheless, if they are rotten, will eventually need to pull the body and replace. Also check doors, inside is metal, outside is fiberglass skin. You can tap the frame with a small hammer and check to see if you got a reasonably good frame. I am convinced that most all of the c3's have at least some surface frame rust,
at least on the inside of the frame, unless someone has pulled the frame and dipped it.
C3's are really neat cars even for cruising with the original stock hp.
Good news is any and all can fixed with money!!!
Also, i would check to see if the brakes are leaking, really need calipers with SS sleeves. Ask if calipers have been replaced and when.
Rust, yes check for rust, check the internet, there is one site somewhere for C3's that has lots of pictures of what happens with rust on C3's. My fuel lines were rusted out and were spliced in front of the right rear tire above the corner gusset to the side rail. The same can happen with the brake lines on the opposite rail. Only way to replace both long lines is pull the body. Agree, really more or equally important to get under the car and look around. Check body mounts, 1thru 4 both sides. My mechanic buddy says they can look really bad but still working if the door seams are even. Nonetheless, if they are rotten, will eventually need to pull the body and replace. Also check doors, inside is metal, outside is fiberglass skin. You can tap the frame with a small hammer and check to see if you got a reasonably good frame. I am convinced that most all of the c3's have at least some surface frame rust,
at least on the inside of the frame, unless someone has pulled the frame and dipped it.C3's are really neat cars even for cruising with the original stock hp.
Good news is any and all can fixed with money!!!
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
I agree with all coments here, I own a 1973 and bought it 10 years ago w/o any experience on cars, i had to rebuilt the engine, frame off, change bodymounts, and so on. ANd still tons of work to do... Check also vacuum system (ligths)...
