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1980 Front Section Body Alignment

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Old May 19, 2012 | 05:43 AM
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Default 1980 Front Section Body Alignment

Just purchased a 1980 & I have a bit of a gap difference where the front door edge meets the rear part of the front section. The top edge is wider then at the bottom. I have seen this in a few photo's of other cars. Its equally spaced on driver & passenger side. Is there a way to correct this & what causes it?
Jp
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Old May 19, 2012 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by jp80vette
Just purchased a 1980 & I have a bit of a gap difference where the front door edge meets the rear part of the front section. The top edge is wider then at the bottom. I have seen this in a few photo's of other cars. Its equally spaced on driver & passenger side. Is there a way to correct this & what causes it?
Jp
Welcome to the Forum!

A picture would be helpful to see what the gaps look like. Gap may just be typical of the C3s.
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Old May 19, 2012 | 09:54 AM
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Usual Suspect: Fender corners have become unbonded up near the base of the windshield.

Worst case scenario, the nose is low pulling the fender corners away from their bonding points.

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Old May 19, 2012 | 11:05 AM
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Wish I could post a picture but not allowed. At the bottom the spacing is just about a 1/8" & at the top its 1/2". Front end seems secure and not loose anywhere. I realize that it could be a factory thing but measurements seem excessive. I could send you a email photo if I had your address.

Originally Posted by mapman
Welcome to the Forum!

A picture would be helpful to see what the gaps look like. Gap may just be typical of the C3s.
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Old May 19, 2012 | 11:07 AM
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Wouldn't I experience a loose front end? Something else has to be holding the front up & its not loose, tried moving it without any luck. Pretty secure. Any info greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Usual Suspect: Fender corners have become unbonded up near the base of the windshield.

Worst case scenario, the nose is low pulling the fender corners away from their bonding points.

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Old May 20, 2012 | 12:23 AM
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Sorry I cannot find a better pic. This is what the gap looked like on a new 1981.




How does your 1980 compare to that?
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Old May 20, 2012 | 06:28 AM
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Looks about the same, would like to correct the problem. Thanks for the info & Pic. Now comes the hard part, correcting it. From what I've read so far it won't be easy especially if the inside bonds are still holding.

Originally Posted by mapman
Sorry I cannot find a better pic. This is what the gap looked like on a new 1981.




How does your 1980 compare to that?
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Old May 20, 2012 | 09:18 AM
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If the corners have pulled away, you can see it with the doors open. Put your thumb on it, push it down, and see if the gap closes up.

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Old May 20, 2012 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by jp80vette
Looks about the same, would like to correct the problem. ....
NOT A PROBLEM per se that needs correcting.

That picture is of a NEW 1981 at the St. Louis factory. That was as good as it got. If your 1980 looks like that, then it is typical factory production quality.

Not to say you can't do better on the gaps. You might also search threads in the "PAINT" section of the Forum.

Last edited by mapman; May 20, 2012 at 11:07 AM.
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Old May 23, 2012 | 06:10 AM
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Thanks for the help- Checked my vin #'s & guess where my car was assembled, St. Louis!!!

Originally Posted by mapman
NOT A PROBLEM per se that needs correcting.

That picture is of a NEW 1981 at the St. Louis factory. That was as good as it got. If your 1980 looks like that, then it is typical factory production quality.

Not to say you can't do better on the gaps. You might also search threads in the "PAINT" section of the Forum.
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Old May 23, 2012 | 06:49 AM
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Yes it does pull in a bit, thanks for the heads up. Jp

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
If the corners have pulled away, you can see it with the doors open. Put your thumb on it, push it down, and see if the gap closes up.

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Old May 23, 2012 | 07:46 AM
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I love the emblem with the girl sitting on the crossed flags. Where did you find that? Jp

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Usual Suspect: Fender corners have become unbonded up near the base of the windshield.

Worst case scenario, the nose is low pulling the fender corners away from their bonding points.

Reply
Old May 23, 2012 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by jp80vette
...Checked my vin #'s & guess where my car was assembled, St. Louis!!!...
All 1980 Corvettes were assembled at St. Louis. Most 1981 Corvettes were assembled at St. Louis. The plant at Bowling Green opened June 1, 1981. Production continued at St. Louis through July.



Found my Corvette Lady on the internet.

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Old May 23, 2012 | 09:49 AM
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Could you send me a pic of it if possible? Want to use her for my screensaver. Looked everywhere on line & have not come up with that one. Jp

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
All 1980 Corvettes were assembled at St. Louis. Most 1981 Corvettes were assembled at St. Louis. The plant at Bowling Green opened June 1, 1981. Production continued at St. Louis through July.



Found my Corvette Lady on the internet.

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Old May 23, 2012 | 09:50 AM
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Again Thanks for the info, you are the person to contact that's for sure. Jp

Originally Posted by jp80vette
Could you send me a pic of it if possible? Want to use her for my screensaver. Looked everywhere on line & have not come up with that one. Jp
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Old May 23, 2012 | 10:51 AM
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Send me a PM with your regular email address.
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Old May 23, 2012 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jp80vette
Could you send me a pic of it if possible? Want to use her for my screensaver. Looked everywhere on line & have not come up with that one. Jp
Just right click the picture. If you have Windows Vista or better, there will be an option to "Set as Desktop Background". Or you can "Save as" so you know where the file is on your computer.
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Old May 23, 2012 | 12:52 PM
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Yeah that worked but it is not clear, tiled & blurry.
Jp
Originally Posted by 666WMD
Just right click the picture. If you have Windows Vista or better, there will be an option to "Set as Desktop Background". Or you can "Save as" so you know where the file is on your computer.
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