Frame okay or too rusty for a driver?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 151
Likes: 2
St. Jude Donor '15
Frame okay or too rusty for a driver?
Hi, I'm interested in this Florida habitated C3.
Got these pics of the frame and wonder if it's okay. Don't want to end up in a frame-off in 2 years...
What's your opinion about the frame and overall underneath condition?
Got these pics of the frame and wonder if it's okay. Don't want to end up in a frame-off in 2 years...
What's your opinion about the frame and overall underneath condition?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 3
From: Downingtown PA
Personally, that doesn't look too bad. But it doesn't tell you the whole story. Pull one of the kick panels in the cabin and look at the frame/cage there - how much rust, if any, is there? Is there any signs of rust around the windshield (bubbled paint, strange patches)?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Take a good look around the steering, and control arm mounts for any cracking. Poke around the areas of heaviest rust and make sure the metal is still solid. How are the suspension bushings and brakes?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 595
Likes: 9
Put a white sheet under the dash as far up to the dash board as you can on both the driver side and passenger side. Then slam both doors about 20 times each. If a bunch of rust lands in your white sheet then you have issues there as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
That's a fairly large amount of rust(not just surface rust, but deep pitting) on the rear suspension and driveline parts. Remove the access panels for the #3 body bolts and check the condition there, and the end plate of the frame rail in the same area. Also carefully check the kick-up area of the frame. I hate to say it, but I think that at a minimum you'll have to lift the body, clean and paint the frame and rebuild the rear end, in order to make this a dependable and safe car. And while you're at it, replace the front bushings and find out where all that oil is coming from. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
That's a fairly large amount of rust(not just surface rust, but deep pitting) on the rear suspension and driveline parts. Remove the access panels for the #3 body bolts and check the condition there, and the end plate of the frame rail in the same area. Also carefully check the kick-up area of the frame. I hate to say it, but I think that at a minimum you'll have to lift the body, clean and paint the frame and rebuild the rear end, in order to make this a dependable and safe car. And while you're at it, replace the front bushings and find out where all that oil is coming from.
R
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
With Florida's heat and humidity, rust is always happening. It is more severe (MUCH) if car is located near the coast and subject to any salt spray. HOWEVER, a car from the north, if used as a daily driver during the winter at anytime during its life, is in far more jeopardy. Salt slush will accumulate in the corners between the frame rails and the cross member behind the doors, and will sit on the gusset strengthening this joint and completely destroy this area.
The photos you posted do not look too bad, though non of them show a good view of the gusset area I mentioned above.
One other thing to consider while evaluating this car is the care used to maintain it, which I would rate a fail. One of the rear struts, controlling the rear camber, has been badly bent and warped. This is typically done by idiots taking a shortcut to adjust the camber - they heat the rod with a torch and bend it to pull the bottom of the wheel in. Anyone who would do this, drive a C3 with this done to it, or offer it for sale is not someone whom I would trust.
The photos you posted do not look too bad, though non of them show a good view of the gusset area I mentioned above.
One other thing to consider while evaluating this car is the care used to maintain it, which I would rate a fail. One of the rear struts, controlling the rear camber, has been badly bent and warped. This is typically done by idiots taking a shortcut to adjust the camber - they heat the rod with a torch and bend it to pull the bottom of the wheel in. Anyone who would do this, drive a C3 with this done to it, or offer it for sale is not someone whom I would trust.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
if you pay the right price, no problem.. nothing looks rusted thru.. but pay attention to these other posts. rusty cars do sell, but deeply discounted. you really gotta pay for a no rust car.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Clermont-Ferrand France
If you have the tools, motivation and time, it could be an interesting project.
It won't save you money tho. The rear end needs to be rebuilt...
How is the interior?
If my experience can help you decide, here it goes:
Mine looks like your photos of the rear end...
I had to change the u-joints not too long ago and breaking through the rust has been a lot of work. One side took me days of soaking, hitting, heating etc... 40 years of rust... Just to remove the half shaft.
The other side had been changed before and still had grease: 10 min...
At this stage I thought: never again! I will buy a more expensive and in better condition car next time, I should have waited...
It won't save you money tho. The rear end needs to be rebuilt...
How is the interior?
If my experience can help you decide, here it goes:
Mine looks like your photos of the rear end...
I had to change the u-joints not too long ago and breaking through the rust has been a lot of work. One side took me days of soaking, hitting, heating etc... 40 years of rust... Just to remove the half shaft.
The other side had been changed before and still had grease: 10 min...
At this stage I thought: never again! I will buy a more expensive and in better condition car next time, I should have waited...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 151
Likes: 2
St. Jude Donor '15
Hope to receive more pics today or tomorrow.
Can't take a personal look by myself, it's about 8000km away...
Already asked in the regional section of Florida for someone to take a look for me, but no answer...
Car is located in St. Petersburg/Tampa, so if I can find someone in this thread.... :9
Can't take a personal look by myself, it's about 8000km away...
Already asked in the regional section of Florida for someone to take a look for me, but no answer...
Car is located in St. Petersburg/Tampa, so if I can find someone in this thread.... :9
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 276
From: Akron OH
The amount of scale that the pictures show warrant a closer inspection of the rear kickups, trailing arm pockets, radiator support and behind the kick panels. I wouldn't be surprised if you find that this car has serious rust issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,361
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi S,
I don't think I'd want to have the car in your pictures in Germany with it needing what is pretty obvious in the pictures, but also what's going to be needed that you can't see at this point.
Are you prepared for that undertaking both financially and in the level your abilities?
Be careful what you step into!
Regards,
Alan
I don't think I'd want to have the car in your pictures in Germany with it needing what is pretty obvious in the pictures, but also what's going to be needed that you can't see at this point.
Are you prepared for that undertaking both financially and in the level your abilities?
Be careful what you step into!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 17, 2015 at 03:46 PM.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Hi S,
I don't think I'd want to have the car in your pictures in Germany with it needing what is pretty obvious in the pictures, but also what's going to be needed that you can't see at this point.
Are you prepared for that undertaking both financially and in your abilities?
Be careful what you step into!
Regards,
Alan
I don't think I'd want to have the car in your pictures in Germany with it needing what is pretty obvious in the pictures, but also what's going to be needed that you can't see at this point.
Are you prepared for that undertaking both financially and in your abilities?
Be careful what you step into!
Regards,
Alan
GERMANY! I'll be rookie/quiet now................
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
I would not buy a car with that level and extent of rust plus obvious lack of maintenance over a long period of time. Be it that one or a cleaner one your shipping costs and VAT will be the same. Keep looking.
Race Director
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
Just looking at it from a maintenance aspect. it appears to still have the original shocks. Definitely have someone do a hands on inspection of any car you can't look over in person. Unless it was a long time forum member selling here I would not trust 75% of what a seller states.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
You won't have to wait two years, it needs too much work now.
You may pay more money but find yourself a better car than this one. Besides what everyone else has pointed out, I see hand made brake lines. With so many vendors in Florida they could have easily bought correct lines that fit the car. I know this doesn't mean much but it tells me a lot about the owner and who has been working on it.
The one thing I find amazing is the car didn't fall off the lift. The person that set the lift has no idea how to raise a vette.
Mike
You may pay more money but find yourself a better car than this one. Besides what everyone else has pointed out, I see hand made brake lines. With so many vendors in Florida they could have easily bought correct lines that fit the car. I know this doesn't mean much but it tells me a lot about the owner and who has been working on it.
The one thing I find amazing is the car didn't fall off the lift. The person that set the lift has no idea how to raise a vette.
Mike