Frame and windshield pillar rust opinion
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 278
From: Akron OH
Frame and windshield pillar rust opinion
Hello all. I looked at a 75 C3 convertible L48/4-speed over the weekend and took some pictures of the frame and windshield pillars. I would appreciate the option of the other members as to whether I should run away from this car or still consider it if I could get it for the right price. My intent is to use it as a driver that I don't have to invest a lot into once I buy it. This means I would in no way want to spend 10k to fix the frame.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by AkrHack; Mar 24, 2014 at 02:37 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I bought a whole new chassis to go under my 69 and the old one isnt all that bad, but the new chassis is a faster repair,
I still have way less invested than most people do in a 69 bb convertible,
Is the rust on said car too bad to fix, seems the question is broad and the answer is different car to car and person to person...I would guess that a real L-88 or Zr-1 would be worth fixing even if their was more rust than car, but some less rare car unless it held sentiment wouldnt be worth too much effort....
I still have way less invested than most people do in a 69 bb convertible,
Is the rust on said car too bad to fix, seems the question is broad and the answer is different car to car and person to person...I would guess that a real L-88 or Zr-1 would be worth fixing even if their was more rust than car, but some less rare car unless it held sentiment wouldnt be worth too much effort....
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Ponoka Alberta
the biggest thing is to look for thin metal and holes.
take a screw driver and push lightly on some of the rustier parts of the frame. if it goes through any where, the red flags should go up right away.
one hole = more holes. simple fact.
the stickys on this subject are more in depth and very helpful. more than I can be.
Good luck
take a screw driver and push lightly on some of the rustier parts of the frame. if it goes through any where, the red flags should go up right away.
one hole = more holes. simple fact.
the stickys on this subject are more in depth and very helpful. more than I can be.
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
It's hard to tell in pictures. I know the rust on mine looked worse in pictures than it really was. Having said that, it looks like the radiator support will need to be replaced but the frame looks like it's mostly light surface rust. However, there are no picture of the frame right above where the trailing arm connects and that's one of the worst places for rust. Also, I couldn't tell much about the window frame.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 31
From: Brant County Ontario
What the hell is that in the windshield photo?
The frame rails don't look too bad, you need to poke at them. Then reach up with your fingers and feel the rocker channels. If they're rotted, walk. As said above, there's never just one hole.
Pull the kick panels and take a look at the #2 body mounts. Rusty/Flakey == Rocker channel rust for sure.
Get under the car and try to get a look at the inboard side of the rear frame kick up - just ahead of the rear wheels. Lots of C3s rot out here too.
The frame rails don't look too bad, you need to poke at them. Then reach up with your fingers and feel the rocker channels. If they're rotted, walk. As said above, there's never just one hole.
Pull the kick panels and take a look at the #2 body mounts. Rusty/Flakey == Rocker channel rust for sure.
Get under the car and try to get a look at the inboard side of the rear frame kick up - just ahead of the rear wheels. Lots of C3s rot out here too.
