Birdcage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
All depends on the current condition. Got pictures?
Do a search for birdcage repairs by BenUK, amazing job IIRC.
Ok; maybe that is incorrect; but I do recall seeing someones thread which was a complete rebiuld of a birdcage, which when completed looked like a brand new assembly. Anyone else here recall who had that thread?
Alright AVNER was the winning forum member;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-pictures.html
This will prove that anything is repairable!
Do a search for birdcage repairs by BenUK, amazing job IIRC.
Ok; maybe that is incorrect; but I do recall seeing someones thread which was a complete rebiuld of a birdcage, which when completed looked like a brand new assembly. Anyone else here recall who had that thread?
Alright AVNER was the winning forum member;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-pictures.html
This will prove that anything is repairable!
Last edited by dannyman; Dec 28, 2009 at 09:56 PM. Reason: OK....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Sam,
There are a bunch of Members on the Forum that have done it. I understand you pretty much have to take the car apart. I have never done it, but it would be a lot of time, money, and effort. Having the front clip off already is a plus. Most members will tell you to run away as fast as possible. Others will tell you it depends on your skills, bank roll, and how much you fall in love with the car.
Fred
There are a bunch of Members on the Forum that have done it. I understand you pretty much have to take the car apart. I have never done it, but it would be a lot of time, money, and effort. Having the front clip off already is a plus. Most members will tell you to run away as fast as possible. Others will tell you it depends on your skills, bank roll, and how much you fall in love with the car.
Fred
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Salem Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Birdcage rust that is in the firewall, floor and/or body mount areas is a very serious, labor intensive, and expensive even if you do it all yourself repair. Unless the car you're interested in is rare, a family heirloom or a ZL-1, if it needs significant cage work it either needs to be practically free, or worth a COMPLETE, down to the molecular level disassembly, refurbishment and restoration on a personal level to be worth considering. I cannot describe how much work, and how many hours of skilled labor are involved in tearing a C3 (or any Corvette) down that far and reassembling it so it looks untouched. I have been repairing and restoring various kinds of motor vehicles all my life, have made a living as a body man... I would not consider any C3 with bad birdcage cancer which was not a numbers matching LT-1 or big block car. too much work and money for way too little return: even if it were my absolute dream car.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
The windshield frame and 'flats' above the fire wall can be replaced for between 2500 and 4500, depending on severity and shop. The birdcage feet- the cage to frame mounts, are a different story, the entire car has to come apart- frame off, everything, crazy difficult and $$$ and time consuming. But it matters on the 'real' condition of the cage feet. the one below is good, just surface rust,, and the shot up into the cage side rail shows it solid. there is some rust, but it's all surface. the windshield frame on this car is shot though,, very bad, ands needs a full replacement. all cars are different, check it throughly.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
I had to replace the whole front end of mine, have a look
http://www.c3-corvette.co.uk/March08%20p1.html
PM me if you need any more info
http://www.c3-corvette.co.uk/March08%20p1.html
PM me if you need any more info
