C3 purchase help
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Navigator
Joined: Aug 2010
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C3 purchase help
I'm in the market to buy a 1975-1977, and am looking for some guidance. On a particular car I've seen and driven ('77 L82), the owner has done significant mechanical work on the car ($15k+ in receipts over two years, from a reputable local shop) and has had the windshield replaced. The windshield posts look to be rust free, and he says no major rust repair work had to be done during that process. The frame appears/sounds solid, but there's some slight surface rust on the flat plane of the driver side door frame, almost as if the paint wore away and the exposed metal oxidized. Is this kind of rust an automatic indicator of a bigger problem?
Thanks for the help. I'm new here, and getting back into Corvettes after learning to drive as a 14-year-old in my dad's 1967 427-435.
Thanks for the help. I'm new here, and getting back into Corvettes after learning to drive as a 14-year-old in my dad's 1967 427-435.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
had the windshield replaced. The windshield posts look to be rust free, and he says no major rust repair work had to be done during that process.
Where was the surface rust on the door? On the bottom? If it's just surface rust, no holes or flakes it may be OK.
What did the owner have done to run up $15K in repairs over two years?
Usual advice is if you're not very familiar with C3s have someone who is take a look. There are several problem areas which can cost big $$ to fix.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
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Why was the windshield replaced? Wonder what "no major rust repair" means? No holes found? If no holes were found when the glass was replaced, it's a good start.
Where was the surface rust on the door? On the bottom? If it's just surface rust, no holes or flakes it may be OK.
What did the owner have done to run up $15K in repairs over two years?
Usual advice is if you're not very familiar with C3s have someone who is take a look. There are several problem areas which can cost big $$ to fix.
Where was the surface rust on the door? On the bottom? If it's just surface rust, no holes or flakes it may be OK.
What did the owner have done to run up $15K in repairs over two years?
Usual advice is if you're not very familiar with C3s have someone who is take a look. There are several problem areas which can cost big $$ to fix.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
With the exception of the area of the VIN plate, you cannot see the birdcage around the windshield with the interior and exterior trim in place.
The door is stamped steel. The door hinge post is covered with fiberglass panels. Post a pic of what you're looking at.
...there's some slight surface rust on the flat plane of the driver side door frame, almost as if the paint wore away and the exposed metal oxidized...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
If you're suspicious, you could ask the owner to remove the trim from the pillars. I think it's only one screw on each side. The header/corner spot welds are a common rust area. Don't mean to sound negative but repairs in the area can be very expensive. Rust is sometimes hard to detect.
RE: Door frame... may be a terminology issue. I'd guess he's referring to the door itself, not the door frame. Some surface rust may be harmless. Pictures would be helpful.
There are many other areas to check as well. If possible, best bet may be to recruit someone knowledgeable on C3s to have a look.
If the owner has kept meticulous records, it may be a great car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
what does he want for it?
paying a mechanic to do repairs can get really expensive really fast for very little mecahnical improvement depending on what was done (for example, maybe he paid a guy for 6 hrs labor to change his door lock cylinders). See what parts he actually put in.
paying a mechanic to do repairs can get really expensive really fast for very little mecahnical improvement depending on what was done (for example, maybe he paid a guy for 6 hrs labor to change his door lock cylinders). See what parts he actually put in.
