Alan,

Here is the exterior. The interior is pretty decent. I don't have a picture handy, but will get one and upload it. The carpet and seats were redone in 89, but only have about 7000 miles on it. The door panels are a little rough on the bottom. The dash is all there and in decent shape. If you blow up the picture, you can see the gaps on the driver front and back door don't look great.

I always thought that this car was hit in the *** end. Not sure why, but was just a guess. I know am wondering if it was hit on the passenger side. Everything over there was replaced, so there isn't any rot. The sale to Michigan Corvette Recyclers was in 86 or so and my wife bought it in 89 and has basically sat since then. With the driver side so bad and the passenger side looking decent, I can't figure why else this would be the case.

I googled the original owner and it looks like he is still living in the same state he was in when he bought the car. What are your oppinions of writing to this guy asking him about the accident that this car was in? I would give him my phone, e-mail, and home address if he wanted to share any info. I guess just to get the complete story.

Also, knowing what I have shown about this car, (I will add interior and more exterior photos) what would be a fair price for this car?

The engine was rebuilt when my wife got it and everything seems to be functional. A ballpark figure would be a good data point for us.

Thanks!!!

 

I don't think the original owner going to provide any additional information that will make the rust go away.

Nice looking car, drive it and enjoy it. Don't dump any money into it.

 

Nothing that bad when I took the rear view mirror, visors, and side trim off the inside. I need to get an estimate for the insurance to pay for the windshield I either get new tires so I can drive it there, or have them come out to the house. It will be interesting seeing the condition of the windshield frame when the old windshield comes out.

I get some pics of the rot I did see on the windshield frame, but nothing at all like these pictures

 

Hi 346,
I was pleased when I saw the photo.
This looks like a car that deserves to continue giving someone some pleasure!!!
BUT, rust is a serious thing to deal with. It can be SO INVOLVED to repair.
Perhaps you need to drive it the way it is to see if you could possibly fall in love with it…. and then….. well you know what happens when we fall in love.
If it just continues to be "that old car" then maybe use it as long as it amuses you, or until the doors fall off, with the idea that you'll sell it then and get whatever money for it you can.
Maybe not a 50/50…. maybe a 20/20?
Regards,
Alan

I don't THINK you could pay someone to do the repairs and not be upside down in the car financially

 

I am so glad that you don't have what I had on the upper windshield. Other then that the car is a real looker for sure. Someone like myself or some others would be able to fix everything if and when you decide what it is you will do with the car. Drive it and decide. Let us know on the forum.
RVZIO

 

Was hoping to see a complete junker/parts car... Hopefully someone saves this one. It won't be cheap, but she seems worthy.

 

I had the same thought, makes it harder when everything else appears to be in order.

 

Alan,

What does 50/50 vs 20/20 mean?

With all of the negative comments I was getting worried. I will post more pictures on the weekend. It is now in the top spot on the life and too much of a hassle to get it our for pictures. I feel better with the last couple of comments.

Didn't mention this, but I/we have a 2007 ZO6 that is kind of taking this cars place. I also owned an 88 that I drove everywhere. 227,000 miles in 22 years of only summer driving.

I like the car, but prefer driving the ZO6. When I am in the 71, I certainly like being able to take the top down, so it's tough. I honestly think my wife would sell it in a second if she found a 71 lt1 in Steel Cities Grey.

 

Hi 346,
In another post someone's wife described their car as a 50/50… looked good from 50 ft and at 50mph.
I was trying to say that your car is much nicer… maybe looks good even from 20ft and at 20 mph.
People describe the new Corvette experience as being different in every way than the late 60s, early 70s experience… only the name is the same.
Some people have one or the other, and some both!!!!
Regards,
Alan

 

Alan,

I figured out the 50/50- vs 20/20 this morning on my way into work. I was felling a little stupid when I realized what it was all about

It certainly is fun having both and they truly are different cars. Some people may say that I'm crazy, but from 71 - 88 (my c4) was 17 years and those cars were totally different. From 88 to 07 was 19 years, but the c4 and the zo6 feel very similar to me. OK, I know the horse power is completely different, but the handling and comfort in the car is similar.

All in all I just wish the 71 was done. She loves it, but like I said, she would trade it in a heart beat for a 71 LT1 Steel Cities Grey convertible if money was no object.

I will post more pictures of the undercarriage and frame this weekend. I think the cross member is suspect, but the rest seems pretty solid. I will also look to see if I can get to the #3 and #4 mount points.

Dean

 

So, I'm going to go against the flow here and give my two cents.
If you and your wife want to save the car and have only driven it 7,000 miles over 28 years, then why not take it to several specialty hot rod body shops and get estimates to get it fixed? If they recommend not to drive it, then store it in your garage and save the money to get the repairs completed. Given your space and experience, figure out what, if any, of the work you can accomplish yourself to save some money. Think of it this way; if you had to invest $10,000.00 in this car, you still have this car. If you sell it only to purchase another C3, what will that cost be? You can always paint this one Steel Cities Grey.
Nice looking car, by the way.

 

That frame and birdcage are toast! I would not recommend putting it on a 2 post lift. I would drive it on a 4 post to inspect it. With the upper t-roof as bad as it is, there is certainly flexing in the frame.

I'm also thinking about control arms, trailing arms, fuel lines, brake lines, fuel tank....on and on and on!!!

I don't know if I would continue to drive this. If anybody tells you to, they are not concerned with your safety!!!

If you decide to try to save this, be aware of the thousands of dollars you'll spend with the "while you're in there" etc...

This is NOT GOOD!

Chuck M

 

Chuck,

Couple of things;

1. this is a convertible so the t-roof pictures are not this car. That was rzvio's car. I think
2. I only have a 4 post storage lift so no issues with that.
3. a lot of the stuff you mention is new. exhaust, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tank, ect.

I will post more pictures this weekend. I think my biggest concern will be the drivers side. This is where most of the rot has been found, so the body mount on the back driver's side is my biggest concern.

Dean

 

Sorry, that birdcage got me all messed up and concerned!

 

I think this is basically where we are right now. If it is drivable, then great, if not, then we need to decide where the priorities are. The biggest issue is finding the right shop. I would love to get my hands dirty, but not sure how feasible it is with the space we have available. I have a friend who was going to do a frame off years back, but he got too busy. He is still an option, but I'm not sure if he still wants to do this type of work. He offered to come take a look. I just need to find the time where we are both available. This forum is always available, and the information is awesome.

Dean

 

never seen a rusted out birdcage that did not have a rusted out frame.. extensive body work, paint, all the while I'm at it... you are talking almost total dissassembly of the car for the birdcage.. not 10K, it will be 30K plus...
total front clip removal, firewall, everything rehung and alligned... thousands of hours of your own work.. and if you don't do it all yourself, then you won't find a shop that will do it and not take them 2 years and want 5 figures up front..

that is reality.... if you are going to spend 30K then sell your car for 8 and buy you a really nice one for 38, be on the road immediately, no headaches, no gray hair....

 

Joewill,

I already have the gray hair and the headaches, but that's another story... I didn't expect the 30,000 for the work to be done. That does not seem worth it.

Any tell tail places on the frame to look at? Everything I have looked at seemed good and solid. The only real rusty looking piece is the cross over. My friend told me to look at the triangle shape just in front of the rear wheels. He said that the rocker panel area drains there and if plugged up, it could retain water and other stuff and it would be punky there. That seems fine.

Thanks

 

All the advise from this forum is always great, but I would take the car to a professional, have them do a complete inspection of the car and get an estimate for the repairs.

 

Hi 346,
The area around the frame kick-up in front of the rear wheel and the pocket that the trailing-arm mounts in is a good place to begin looking at the frame's condition.
This area had a lot of road debris and moisture thrown up at it and had areas susceptible to rust.
Regards,
Alan

 

I agree. My first steps were to get it running, then get it stopping. Those are now down and work pretty well. I need tires because they are 28+ years old. That is the next step whether we keep it or sell it, or whatever. I'm afraid to drive it on tires that old.