A little frame rust question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 262
Likes: 32
From: elkhorn city ky
A little frame rust question
Guys would you let this little bit of trame rust keep you from buying this 69 convertible?It is the only and worst place on the entire car,bird cage is great and the rest of the frame looks super good.Do you guys think it would be a big job to fix this little place or what could a fellow do that would fix it.A little info please.
Thanks guys
Thanks guys
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 27
From: Springboro Ohio
Yes it would. I looked at a 74' recently that had the exact same thing and I walked as soon as I saw it. However it depends on what your looking forward and your mechanical skills. Are you looking for a project that is priced accordingly? Can you do the work to either patch or replace the frame? The answer to both of those was no in my case so I passed. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Depends on whether you have the skills to strip it down to a bare frame, replace or repair. Next consideration is what asking price and whether it has the original drive train. Price has to be low, potential resale value once repaired high enough to justify the labor and parts costs.
If you not looking for a major project, I agree with the others, best to pass. It seems unlikely only one spot on the frame rusts through. There could be problems with the trailing arm pockets, kick up area or other areas undiscovered. Figure a frame off, possibly a new frame.
If you not looking for a major project, I agree with the others, best to pass. It seems unlikely only one spot on the frame rusts through. There could be problems with the trailing arm pockets, kick up area or other areas undiscovered. Figure a frame off, possibly a new frame.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Are you buying as an investment, daily driver or resto-mod?
Investment- Pass
Daily driver- buy, but dont get sucked into the hype that you have to repair it.
Resto-mod- Absolutely. My frame had those exact spots. I did some patch welding, sprayed it with some black undercoating and have been driving my car hard for the last 5 years with no issues.
Uhhh.....just saw your last post. 20 grand? Noooooope. If its all matching and you are looking at a collectors piece, you are going to need to replace the frame, because Corvette collectors are snooty bastards.
Investment- Pass
Daily driver- buy, but dont get sucked into the hype that you have to repair it.
Resto-mod- Absolutely. My frame had those exact spots. I did some patch welding, sprayed it with some black undercoating and have been driving my car hard for the last 5 years with no issues.
Uhhh.....just saw your last post. 20 grand? Noooooope. If its all matching and you are looking at a collectors piece, you are going to need to replace the frame, because Corvette collectors are snooty bastards.
Last edited by Scottd; Dec 13, 2015 at 10:16 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi g,
Why do YOU think a "Matching Number, 69, Convertible, Big Block," is being sold for an asking price of $20,000?
Maybe there IS more rust spread around on the frame or maybe there are other reasons that along with the rust shown make it a "asking $20,000" car.
A 69, convertible, bb, is too desirable a car to have to sell it much below it's ACTUAL value.
While rust is pretty serious concern, what the rest of the car is like certainly also has an impact on whether this might be a good car to buy.
Regards,
Alan
Why do YOU think a "Matching Number, 69, Convertible, Big Block," is being sold for an asking price of $20,000?
Maybe there IS more rust spread around on the frame or maybe there are other reasons that along with the rust shown make it a "asking $20,000" car.
A 69, convertible, bb, is too desirable a car to have to sell it much below it's ACTUAL value.
While rust is pretty serious concern, what the rest of the car is like certainly also has an impact on whether this might be a good car to buy.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 14, 2015 at 08:01 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 375
Likes: 21
From: London Ontario
A "little but" of rust in the picture tells me the rest of the frame is in the same condition.
I can't believe How many times I have been told by a seller "there is only a little rust in this one spot?
I can't believe How many times I have been told by a seller "there is only a little rust in this one spot?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
If you fix just that part, I still would not buy it because I know there is more and all you did was fix that spot.
of course a matching big block convertible 69 for 20K?.. you won't find one cheaper.. depends if you want to take on the project... if so, get it as cheap as possible.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
Guys would you let this little bit of trame rust keep you from buying this 69 convertible?It is the only and worst place on the entire car,bird cage is great and the rest of the frame looks super good.Do you guys think it would be a big job to fix this little place or what could a fellow do that would fix it.A little info please.
Thanks guys
Thanks guys
Wes
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,347
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Any pic s of the rest of the car, interior, engine compartment? Is there any evidence of body work?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Hagerty lists values for 69 Corvette, BB 390hp, Convertible to be 19K, 34.7K, 50K, and 78.2 k for class 4, 3, 2, and 1 respectively. These prices may be a bit on the high side.
A restoration may bring you to class 2? Assuming class 1 would require extraordinary documentation, best of the best. I'd figure at least 10K for paint, assuming it needs paint. A brand new frame goes for around $4500. Add on costs of other repairs as needed. If you still have a healthy margin after considering purchase price and cost of all repairs, then it may make financial sense.
There are many people who would consider the project as a hobby, roi isn't their first concern. Then it's a matter of how much do you enjoy bringing one of these old cars back? What's it worth to you?
A restoration may bring you to class 2? Assuming class 1 would require extraordinary documentation, best of the best. I'd figure at least 10K for paint, assuming it needs paint. A brand new frame goes for around $4500. Add on costs of other repairs as needed. If you still have a healthy margin after considering purchase price and cost of all repairs, then it may make financial sense.
There are many people who would consider the project as a hobby, roi isn't their first concern. Then it's a matter of how much do you enjoy bringing one of these old cars back? What's it worth to you?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,436
Likes: 1,253
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Is it currently a driver ?? If it was me, and I wanted it. I would buy the car, weld a patch on the car and drive it. Meanwhile looking for or building a replacement rolling chassis. Then when time comes swap out the chassis. The condition of the frame on these cars is a huge hit on the value . What I am suggesting is a labor of love. Are you into it ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
Curious how many early C3's are driven, and have been driven for years with frame rust. It would be a high percentage number I'm sure.
It would seem likely that a very small percentage do not have any frame rust, if the owners are honest with themselves.
You've identified an area on this car that does have rust..is that the only area?, really you can't know unless you had the bare frame in front of you.
The rust issue shown can be used in negotiations for purchase.
People will tell you as an investment, that it is a losing proposition, and for most I'm sure it is.
Considerations must be made for the different owners abilities, facilities, motivation, and the dedication to take a project to the end.
This is why we can't know if this is a good purchase/"future investment" for you or not
Food for thought, most of the time when people on here ask for purchase opinions, the majority of responders will find fault, and expect all cars to be rust free, which in the real world is simply not the case.
Good luck with what ever you decide.
It would seem likely that a very small percentage do not have any frame rust, if the owners are honest with themselves.
You've identified an area on this car that does have rust..is that the only area?, really you can't know unless you had the bare frame in front of you.
The rust issue shown can be used in negotiations for purchase.
People will tell you as an investment, that it is a losing proposition, and for most I'm sure it is.
Considerations must be made for the different owners abilities, facilities, motivation, and the dedication to take a project to the end.
This is why we can't know if this is a good purchase/"future investment" for you or not
Food for thought, most of the time when people on here ask for purchase opinions, the majority of responders will find fault, and expect all cars to be rust free, which in the real world is simply not the case.
Good luck with what ever you decide.
