C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

first c3, has rust please help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 25, 2015 | 08:57 PM
  #1  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default first c3, has rust please help

Hi all, I just bought a 77. It was a impulse buy :-( after stalking this forum I've learnt to check the areas of the bird cage. The wind shield pillars has minor rust, but the body mounts behind the kick panels look terrible. I'm just trying to make this a daily driver. Did I waste 3000 bucks?



Reply
Old May 25, 2015 | 09:07 PM
  #2  
BarryB72's Avatar
BarryB72
Drifting
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 258
From: Dublin Ohio
Default

If that's the worst of it I don't think there's anything there to be too concerned with. I'd clean it up as much as I could, fill whatever holes appear as well as you can, paint it with a rust preventative paint and drive it. That's my $3000 driver advice.
Reply
Old May 25, 2015 | 09:09 PM
  #3  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Thank you. I just read all the horror stories on here about the cage. Just want it to be safe ya know?
Reply
Old May 25, 2015 | 09:15 PM
  #4  
Zoomin's Avatar
Zoomin
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 34,034
Likes: 222
From: Land of Thunder
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
Default

That's in real good shape for $3,000. Do what Barry suggested, then go have a blast.
Reply
Old May 25, 2015 | 09:20 PM
  #5  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Thanks zoomin. The body is in decent shape too.the 350 in it is okay. My plan is to Just slap a paint job on it and put a blueprint 383 in it.. Love the look of the car though. Can't beat the way the body contours are on a c3.
Reply
Old May 26, 2015 | 09:33 PM
  #6  
LS4 PILOT's Avatar
LS4 PILOT
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Default

I've made a lot worse mistakes than 3 grand

Your ok at that price.

Now if it were 30K



That d be diff
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 05:40 AM
  #7  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by LS4 PILOT
I've made a lot worse mistakes than 3 grand

Your ok at that price.

Now if it were 30K



That d be diff
Thanks ls4, I was starting to get worried. Just concerned about the safety of the vehicle.
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 08:14 AM
  #8  
newbie2vette's Avatar
newbie2vette
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by vannmike
Hi all, I just bought a 77. It was a impulse buy :-( after stalking this forum I've learnt to check the areas of the bird cage. The wind shield pillars has minor rust, but the body mounts behind the kick panels look terrible. I'm just trying to make this a daily driver. Did I waste 3000 bucks?



I recommend taking a wire brush and brush off any loose rust and spray that area with Rust Mort, follow the application instruction on the bottle and repaint. Good luck..
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 27, 2015 | 08:18 AM
  #9  
530planeman's Avatar
530planeman
Drifting
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by vannmike
Hi all, I just bought a 77. It was a impulse buy :-( after stalking this forum I've learnt to check the areas of the bird cage. The wind shield pillars has minor rust, but the body mounts behind the kick panels look terrible. I'm just trying to make this a daily driver. Did I waste 3000 bucks?



There is a product called Rust Mort that most auto paint stores have brush it on be careful not to get it on you .Good purchase have a good ride.
Wes
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 08:20 AM
  #10  
NJStingray's Avatar
NJStingray
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by vannmike
Thanks zoomin. The body is in decent shape too.the 350 in it is okay. My plan is to Just slap a paint job on it and put a blueprint 383 in it.. Love the look of the car though. Can't beat the way the body contours are on a c3.
Your #2 mount looks in way better shape than mine and I paid over double what you did. Admittedly, everything else seems to be okay and in fine working order.

Good luck, there's tons of resources and helpful members.
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 08:23 AM
  #11  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Thanks for all the responses guys. I will check out the rust Mort today. I know my floor pans gotta be replaced. Holes every where. There really pricey. Any one know where to get one bought and shipped for under 300 a piece?
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 08:31 AM
  #12  
NJStingray's Avatar
NJStingray
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by vannmike
Thanks for all the responses guys. I will check out the rust Mort today. I know my floor pans gotta be replaced. Holes every where. There really pricey. Any one know where to get one bought and shipped for under 300 a piece?
Someone on this forum might have them. I've found that checking out CL for people parting out a C3 might be one of your best resources. I'm keeping a watchful eye out for a LH inner fender myself
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 08:35 AM
  #13  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by NJStingray
Someone on this forum might have them. I've found that checking out CL for people parting out a C3 might be one of your best resources. I'm keeping a watchful eye out for a LH inner fender myself
Yeah I will check it out. It shocked me how expensive they were. And i just called the parts store. Said they have rust fix by dupli color. But no rust Mort. Looks like an amazon purchase
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 12:09 PM
  #14  
newbie2vette's Avatar
newbie2vette
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by vannmike
Thanks for all the responses guys. I will check out the rust Mort today. I know my floor pans gotta be replaced. Holes every where. There really pricey. Any one know where to get one bought and shipped for under 300 a piece?
If you are "handy" you can repair them with fiberglass version. I did that to a 79. clean the entire floor and then took a 1/4 sheet of plywood cut to the size of the floor, covered one side with wax paper. Then put that side under the floor board with wax paper side up and hold it with a floor jack. Mix some epoxy, brush that on the floor (inside) then take some fiberglass cloth and cut to size. use the throw away paint brush to work the epoxy into the cloth. Then apply another coat of epoxy and another layer of fiberglass cloth. I painted them with the bedliner paint from local hardware store starting with "L".
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 12:36 PM
  #15  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by newbie2vette
If you are "handy" you can repair them with fiberglass version. I did that to a 79. clean the entire floor and then took a 1/4 sheet of plywood cut to the size of the floor, covered one side with wax paper. Then put that side under the floor board with wax paper side up and hold it with a floor jack. Mix some epoxy, brush that on the floor (inside) then take some fiberglass cloth and cut to size. use the throw away paint brush to work the epoxy into the cloth. Then apply another coat of epoxy and another layer of fiberglass cloth. I painted them with the bedliner paint from local hardware store starting with "L".
What does the wax paper and ply wood do? And should I spray the under side of the pan to prevent rust after I repair and/ or replace them?
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 12:50 PM
  #16  
JimLentz's Avatar
JimLentz
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 254
From: Downers Grove Illinois
Default

What does your frame look like?
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 12:51 PM
  #17  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by JimLentz
What does your frame look like?
Pretty solid as far as I can tell. Surface rust. No holes.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To first c3, has rust please help

Old May 27, 2015 | 01:11 PM
  #18  
keithinspace's Avatar
keithinspace
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Default

Looks like there is something that happened over the years, but there are certainly ones in far worse condition.

I paid $7k for my 1970 in Jan 2012. My birdcage is in worse shape than that. My #2 mount is in a little better condition than that (you can still plainly see the bolt/washer, though there is some rust), my frame has accident damage and non-fatal dogleg issues, and my second crossmember (trans mount) has been inexplicably torched at one of the exhaust ports.

I have a frame hanging in my garage...my next "major" project...

I think you're doing just fine. Monitor it and drive it. Deal with it once you get some miles under your belt.
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 01:15 PM
  #19  
rene040269's Avatar
rene040269
Racer
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: The Netherlands EUR
Default

Originally Posted by vannmike
Did I waste 3000 bucks?
Hey man, you just bought a C3 Vette, a rolling tribute to awsomeness,

that is never a waste.
Reply
Old May 27, 2015 | 01:16 PM
  #20  
vannmike's Avatar
vannmike
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton, Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by keithinspace
Looks like there is something that happened over the years, but there are certainly ones in far worse condition.

I paid $7k for my 1970 in Jan 2012. My birdcage is in worse shape than that. My #2 mount is in a little better condition than that (you can still plainly see the bolt/washer, though there is some rust), my frame has accident damage and non-fatal dogleg issues, and my second crossmember (trans mount) has been inexplicably torched at one of the exhaust ports.

I have a frame hanging in my garage...my next "major" project...

I think you're doing just fine. Monitor it and drive it. Deal with it once you get some miles under your belt.
Gotcha. I really like the car. Just don't think I have the know-how or time to frame off this thing. Game plan it to get a good paint job, get a crate motor, and do the interior. Just have a really fast and fun cruiser
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:55 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE