rusted frames
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
rusted frames
Is there a certain year on C-3, that frames have a greater tendency to rust out more that others? , what is the better years that this doesn't happen to? Ive seen a lot of 73-75 frames rusted out badly, don't know about the rest 76-82
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
The frame is pretty much the same design for all C3s. It depends on where the car spent most of its life, rust belt or a dry climate, whether it was kept in a garage, how well the past owners took care of it, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Our '77 spent most of it's life in the Lubbock Texas area and the last 15 or so in Arizona. Frame and birdcage are rock solid and dry everywhere. Not even rust on the suspension bolts etc. If the car wasn't driven in the winter and was not around salt water your chances of finding a solid frame are pretty good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I seem to remember that late C3s, half of 81 and full 82 frames got galvanized . This was done in the new factory after the move.
Correct ?
Yours is a 82 , hence ..
Rgds. Günther
I seem to remember that late C3s, half of 81 and full 82 frames got galvanized . This was done in the new factory after the move.
Correct ?
Yours is a 82 , hence ..
Rgds. Günther
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
We all know about the diet that Chevrolet put the '80 Vette under and these features carried over into '81 & '82. One of these was a thinner frame. In my case that sure was true. My frame was toast.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Frames were delivered to the plant already painted.
80Baby: I have not heard 80-82 frames were of thinner material and any other C3s frames.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Yes Mike, it is true that GM cut the frame gage in half, I think, to save weight on the 80-82 vettes. Just as they cut the thickness of the glass in the later year vettes. I remember reading it. Might even be in the sales brochures.
But that's sort of sad in a way.