C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Attic Find! Help Identifying C3(?) Door

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 07:13 AM
  #1  
Jaykhjr's Avatar
Jaykhjr
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default Attic Find! Help Identifying C3(?) Door

Hey all, first time posting. I am not lucky enough to own a Vette yet, but it was the first car I ever took over 100mph about 10 years ago and I've wanted one ever since.

Anyways, I bought a house 2 weeks ago from a family who had 3 brothers, 2 of whom had Vettes and made sure every wall of the garage and workshop have the symbols and paintings to prove it.

I was up in the Attic tracing a wire and under the insulation I found what I think is a C3 door. I don't know if its a coupe or a convertible, no clue how to tell which year its from, but once I do, unless the woman allows me to hang it on the wall, I'll be posting it for sale.

Im attaching a picture, can anyone help me out in identifying it?

Thanks!


Jay
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 07:23 AM
  #2  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Looks like a C3 door. Sport mirrors were introduced for the 1977 model year, but that may not mean much. The mirrors could have been added to any C3.

Last edited by Easy Mike; Feb 14, 2018 at 07:23 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 07:35 AM
  #3  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Jay,
Welcome!

"I don't know if its a coupe or a convertible,"

There's no difference in a door used on a coupe or convertible.
But the configuration of the glass is a bit different.
The rear edge of the glass for a coupe is quite vertical while the rear edge for a convertible slopes forward slightly.

Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 07:41 AM
  #4  
lvmyvt76's Avatar
lvmyvt76
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
Default

it is painted two toned, so might be a later year, if paint is stock? BUT, why would you have a door in the attic off of your car, UNLESS, it is an extra, then WHO knows???

Last edited by lvmyvt76; Feb 14, 2018 at 07:42 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 08:16 AM
  #5  
69Vett's Avatar
69Vett
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

C3 coupe glass is straight up and down on the back edge.
convertible glass the back edge is angled toward the front,
on the top back corner.
2 tone and sport mirrors indicate later C3, unlikely convertible.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 08:28 AM
  #6  
Jaykhjr's Avatar
Jaykhjr
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

Thank you all. I dont think there is glass in the door. I didn't look much past "it's a door" but I think there is a door shell and a rubber gasket next to it. ill clean it up and get some better pics and info.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 08:52 AM
  #7  
gbvette62's Avatar
gbvette62
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,684
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
Default

It's hard to tell from the picture, but if the paint is original, depending on the colors, it's likely either a 78, 81 or 82 door. Factory two-tones had a tape stripe between the two colors. If it has a tape stripe, and is silver over charcoal, it could be either a 78 Silver Anniversary or an 81-82. If it's silver over dark blue, it's probably an 81.

Seeing the other side of the door, might help identify the door, as the inside release is different on 78-82 doors.

Originally Posted by Alan 71
There's no difference in a door used on a coupe or convertible.
But the configuration of the glass is a bit different.
The rear edge of the glass for a coupe is quite vertical while the rear edge for a convertible slopes forward slightly.
Actually, 70-75 convertibles doors are different than coupe doors. The convertible door has a notched area at the top of the frame for an alignment pin, above the latch mechanism.

There are four different doors used between 68 and 82.

68's, which are one year only because of the push button release. Coupe and convertible use the same door, just the glass is different.

69 all and 70-77 coupe doors. 69 coupe and convertible use the same door (except for the glass), as the 70-77 coupe. In the mid 70's, a side guard door beam was added inside the door, but the basic door remained the same.

70-75 Convertible doors have the above mentioned notch for the alignment pin. Like the coupe doors, they also received the side guard beams.

78-82 doors have a different inner structure, because the inside door lock, inside release mechanism and arm rest/door pull, were redesigned and re-positioned.

All of the doors are interchangeable.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 09:50 AM
  #8  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

Well, now you own 5 to 10% of your first corvette. Just need to find one that Need's a door!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 11:54 AM
  #9  
Greg's Avatar
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Default

My guess would be 1982 Paint Code 13/99 Silver over Dark Claret, but I'm not certain about the stripe.
Another mystery.....
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 05:42 PM
  #10  
tzeller's Avatar
tzeller
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 88
From: Ohio (Go Bucks)
Default

My guess would be 78 Silver Anniversary

Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 07:16 PM
  #11  
Bikespace's Avatar
Bikespace
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by derekderek
Well, now you own 5 to 10% of your first corvette. Just need to find one that Need's a door!
You beat me to it! Welcome to Corvette ownership. Keep digging in the insulation, perhaps you'll find the rest of the car.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2018 | 08:21 PM
  #12  
Tonio's Avatar
Tonio
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Default

Congrats! That's more Corvette than most people ever own!
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2018 | 08:26 AM
  #13  
Jaykhjr's Avatar
Jaykhjr
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

Anyone have the matching car they are looking to get rid of? LOL
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2018 | 11:06 AM
  #14  
62corvette's Avatar
62corvette
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 768
From: Waterford WI
Default

Originally Posted by gbvette62
It's hard to tell from the picture, but if the paint is original, depending on the colors, it's likely either a 78, 81 or 82 door. Factory two-tones had a tape stripe between the two colors. If it has a tape stripe, and is silver over charcoal, it could be either a 78 Silver Anniversary or an 81-82. If it's silver over dark blue, it's probably an 81.

Seeing the other side of the door, might help identify the door, as the inside release is different on 78-82 doors.



Actually, 70-75 convertibles doors are different than coupe doors. The convertible door has a notched area at the top of the frame for an alignment pin, above the latch mechanism.

There are four different doors used between 68 and 82.

68's, which are one year only because of the push button release. Coupe and convertible use the same door, just the glass is different.

69 all and 70-77 coupe doors. 69 coupe and convertible use the same door (except for the glass), as the 70-77 coupe. In the mid 70's, a side guard door beam was added inside the door, but the basic door remained the same.

70-75 Convertible doors have the above mentioned notch for the alignment pin. Like the coupe doors, they also received the side guard beams.

78-82 doors have a different inner structure, because the inside door lock, inside release mechanism and arm rest/door pull, were redesigned and re-positioned.

All of the doors are interchangeable.
Excellent breakdown!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Attic Find! Help Identifying C3(?) Door





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:21 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE