Finally have enough money to buy myself an 80 or 81 vette. Been doing a lot of research on it (even got the Buyer's Guide), but still have a couple of questions.

1.) First and foremost is rust. How do you spot birdcage rust? Isn't it all hidden under plastic or something? Does it pop off real easy? I saw some suggested removing the kick plate?

2.) Is it a bolt on operation to make an '80 or '81 have electric drivers seat if it doesn't come with it (if so, can you give me links to vendors for the parts)? And if it is, do you lose any headroom in the transition?

Might have a few more... but that's all that comes to mind right now.

Thanks

 

No. Not bolt in. The electric driver's seat was not available on the 80 models. For 81 and 82, the floor pans for the electric driver's seat are different than for regular production cars in order to provide clearance for the seat motor.

Adding the option requires changing out the floor pan.

 

basically you can look for rust everywhere, then multiply the amount of rust by 10 and you will know how much rust there is in the places you cannot see. it is always worse at the places that are hard to see.

rusty cars do trade alot, but at a much lower price.
you can buy a rusty car, just make sure you only pay what you will be able to sell it for.. do not take on someone else's problem...

my previous car was rusty, it was like a cloud hanging over me thruout my entire ownership..

always buy on condition unless you have just entry level money, then only buy at a price so you can dump the car if you have to.

 

Cool, thanks for the replies.

 

Here are a couple guidelines for inspecting for rust. I'm sure others could list more.
1) Look through the windshield along the "A" pillars (front windshiled posts). On cars with really rusty 'bird cages' you'll often see lots of bubbled and flakey rust in this area. I looked at a car at a swap meet this summer that was full of rust in this area. No tools are needed, just look at the edge of the windshield.

2) Open the door and look at the seam sealer on the metal A-pillar and see how bubbled it sppears. You can have light rust and it can be bubbled, but a lot of bubbling underneath is a sign to look deeper.

3) Look at the area above and below the door hinges, the part on the body. you may see some minor bubbling of the metal underneath the seam sealer, but a LOT is an indication that something is going on.

4) For a car that you are somewhat interested in, remove the kick panel on the drivers or passengers side. Look at the body mount area just inside. A good car will have all the metal there and it will look nice and solid. A problem car can have anywhere from some missing metal (rusted out) to completely gone!

5) Lookat the car frame underneath the car below the drivers door. If it looks nice and 'brand new' that's a good sign. If it is pitted and really rusty, keep looking.

6) Inspect the frame back by the rear wheels, especially in front of the rear wheels. This is a major problem area. Look behind the rear wheels too.

Well, this should get you started. I would take a phillips screwdriver in case you find a car you are interested in. You can remove the plastic on the A-pillars.

 

Here's a link to extreme rust, but gives you an idea where it can be the worst and where to look.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...the-world.html