1978 Undercarriage Rust
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 332
From: Cartersville GA
Hard to tell from that one pic how bad the surface rust is as well as the inside of the frame....Both need to be checked. If I was in the market for a 77 and saw that frame I would pass unless I was looking for a cheap project car....JMO
Brian
Brian
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 727
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From: Austin TX area
My 78 has 126,000 and the underside looks nothing like that. You need to get better pictures and if you can you need to get up close and personal. Feel around the frame for any lose pieces, holes, soft spots. How do the drive shafts look? Are they covered in rust?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 53
Likes: 5
The car is in Virgina and I'm in MN guy sent several picture of undercarriage just trying to figure out how to post them all for you to look at
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Here's another picture
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Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
It could very well be 40k miles but neglected...meaning sitting out a lot which would contribute to frame that has spotty rust. The frame rails look like they still have some finish remaining though much eroded. The front cross members look the worse...I would be curious what the rear looks like.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
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From: Shamong, NJ
What you've posted pictures of looks okay, but pictures can be deceiving. I have to agree with others, that it looks pretty tired for "only" 40,000 miles though. From what can be seen of the floor pans, they appear to be solid, which is always a plus on 76-82's.
It looks like the car has been repainted, or at least had some paint work done. Is it the original color?
It's nice that the seller sent you a pictures of where he hides his spare key!
It looks like the car has been repainted, or at least had some paint work done. Is it the original color?
It's nice that the seller sent you a pictures of where he hides his spare key!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I don't see a deal breaker.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,408
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
I think a bigger question might be, how do the windshield frame and "birdcage" look? While replacing a frame isn't something you'd WANT to do, it's far easier that trying to repair/replace a bad birdcage....
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Likes: 5
Great responses. Yeah it's a manual and not sure about the repaint. Living in Mn I have seen cars up on a lift and after a few years of road salt it has a similar look which got me concerned. I included a photo of back end, not sure what to tell the guy but I sent a email mentioning some of the concerns you guys have mentioned.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Doesn't look terrible, but could easily be hiding worse. Mine looks a lot better with 106,000 miles (I'm guessing, certainly not 6,000, doubt it's 206,000).
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 384
Likes: 8
From: Alberta
I'am gonna bet that its 140k not 40k, but like others have said I'd want to know the condition of the birdcage.
Also, my money is on it being repainted. You can see the overspray on the license plate light cover. So at least part of the rear has been resprayed. I wouldn't care as much other than to know if its been hit.
Also, my money is on it being repainted. You can see the overspray on the license plate light cover. So at least part of the rear has been resprayed. I wouldn't care as much other than to know if its been hit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 254
From: Downers Grove Illinois
Generally the back of the frame looks better than the front, which is the opposite of my '77. Just based on the photos that frame looks pretty decent. See if you can get someone near the car to look at it for you that knows them well. A little money spent now could save you a lot of money down the line. Good luck whatever you decide!