My new project
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 876
Likes: 694
From: Columbus, IN
My new project
I grew up around C3's and have always wanted one, and I finally bought my own earlier this week. It's a 1977 with a two tone purple paint job (was originally light blue) and the two tone blue and white interior. From what I've seen of the frame and bird cage, there's only a little surface rust, but the previous owner said the windshield has been leaking so I'd be surprised if there wasn't rust around the windshield. I've got a few things I need to fix right away (the tires and seat belts are in bad shape), but I'm looking forward to slowly restoring this car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 876
Likes: 694
From: Columbus, IN
Thanks. Yeah the paint is pretty bad. It's only 9 years old too
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
Congrats on your new C3!
Doesn't look like it will take much to get interior and engine compartment looking good. Are you going to do the paint prep work yourself when the time comes?
Doesn't look like it will take much to get interior and engine compartment looking good. Are you going to do the paint prep work yourself when the time comes?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 876
Likes: 694
From: Columbus, IN
Thanks guys.
I do plan to do the paint prep myself. I don't think it'll be too hard to remove the paint since it's removing itself already on the hood and the front bumper. I think I'm going to get it painted Steel Cities Gray.
I do plan to do the paint prep myself. I don't think it'll be too hard to remove the paint since it's removing itself already on the hood and the front bumper. I think I'm going to get it painted Steel Cities Gray.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
From the photos, it looks like the only non-original things on it are the paint and the wheels. Under hood looks all original: still have the ignition shielding, factory air cleaner, and the AIR pump. Even the rack out back is a period-correct dealer-installed original. Get a carrier for the tops and you'll be able to keep the cargo area behind the seats clear. 
Looks like you got a pretty nice car, paint notwithstanding.
Enjoy.
Looks like you got a pretty nice car, paint notwithstanding.Enjoy.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 876
Likes: 694
From: Columbus, IN
Thanks 1bdvet and DG
The radio is a relatively new single din head unit, and the previous owner said the engine was replaced under warranty within the first year so that's also not original. He saved the original radio and gave that to me, and also gave me the t-top mounts for the luggage rack. I don't know whether or not I'm going to keep the rack though. I've never really liked them but it might be useful.
From the photos, it looks like the only non-original things on it are the paint and the wheels. Under hood looks all original: still have the ignition shielding, factory air cleaner, and the AIR pump. Even the rack out back is a period-correct dealer-installed original. Get a carrier for the tops and you'll be able to keep the cargo area behind the seats clear. Looks like you got a pretty nice car, paint notwithstanding.
Enjoy.
Looks like you got a pretty nice car, paint notwithstanding.Enjoy.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 876
Likes: 694
From: Columbus, IN
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
Thanks 1bdvet and DG
The radio is a relatively new single din head unit, and the previous owner said the engine was replaced under warranty within the first year so that's also not original. He saved the original radio and gave that to me, and also gave me the t-top mounts for the luggage rack. I don't know whether or not I'm going to keep the rack though. I've never really liked them but it might be useful.
The radio is a relatively new single din head unit, and the previous owner said the engine was replaced under warranty within the first year so that's also not original. He saved the original radio and gave that to me, and also gave me the t-top mounts for the luggage rack. I don't know whether or not I'm going to keep the rack though. I've never really liked them but it might be useful.
I've read multiple accounts on here that filling the holes in the deck after removing a rack can be very difficult to get right so they don't show up through the paint. How true this is... I don't know. But if I've read it many times from many different people, I assume there to be at least some truth to it. Most say they wouldn't put a rack on their car, but they would most likely leave it in place if it was already there. I rather like having the rack and top-carrier on my car. I don't like having to futz with getting my tops behind the seats, and it's hard to get into the storage compartments with the tops sitting on top of them. Id rather put them out back and keep the cargo area open in case I need it. But that's just me. Your car, your call.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 876
Likes: 694
From: Columbus, IN
Yeah that's something I'm concerned about. Also, I want to put a couple speakers behind the seats eventually and I assume there wouldn't be enough room for the tops if I did that. I didn't really look to see how much room there was when I put the tops back there. I've got plenty of time to make that decision though. I don't think I'll be ready for paint for a couple years
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Denton, Texas