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Hi all I’m looking at another C3 this one is a 76 L82 four speed with 22,000 original miles. The front and rear bumper covers have disintegrated and I have some concern about the amount of rust on the frame. The car appears to have the gymkanna? suspension as there are nine leafs on the rear spring, air conditioning, power windows, alarm system and I think rear defroster (there’s a little switch next to the drivers me that says on when you click it ) the interior is in good shape and just needs a cleaning. We are at $6900 right now. Could I get your thoughts on the rust and any other points? Thanks in advance
I'm a C3, 82 and C5 Z06 guy...by no means an expert but I can tell you it has been repainted (door trim tag you took a picture of would not have been painted over) and it has aftermarket wheels on it. Also, I'd double check the VIN and motor to ensure it is an L-82 car. Rust on suspension appears to be normal surface rust from my experience. However, something is up with that interior/dash...is that dirt in the finish? Enjoy the hunt!
A few things for you to consider:
The rust isn't out of control in the pics.
The car SHOULD be drivable for that price.....BUT I wouldn't try to start a car that has 15 year old oil in the engine and old gas in the tank/carb.
The old tires would make it unsafe to test-drive because they could literally explode.
Last edited by doorgunner; Aug 7, 2018 at 09:41 PM.
All C3 Corvettes from 1975 thru 1982 came from the factory with a faux dual exhaust system, (2 into 1, back into 2). This was for the catalyst converters. They were expensive, so doing one saved money.
Most of them ended up getting retro dual exhausts added when the exhaust needed repacked.
Just a couple of points worth noting. The frame rust, in my opinion, isn't normal rust for a car with 22,000 miles unless it sat outside over dirt or grass for quite a length of time. I think I see rot in one of the pictures on the side rail of the frame, and that would be very problematic. I have restored eight or nine C-3 frames and I would want to do more investigation on this one before making a decision. Original color is white but someone painted over the tag meaning it is either a repair, repaint, or touch up job. I had the same thing on a 77 I bought but it was an orange car repainted with white. Two to one is normal on exhaust, should have it's catalytic converter still in place if never replaced then. I bought a 1977 with 78,000 miles on it, running and driving, for $4,000. I would that for $6,900 you can get a much nicer car in running condition. I wish I was close enough to inspect it for you, engine condition looks rough for 22,000 miles.
Remember these are just my observations from pictures of what we can see and it may be much nicer in person.
Good luck with your search.
David Howard
Just a couple of points worth noting. The frame rust, in my opinion, isn't normal rust for a car with 22,000 miles unless it sat outside over dirt or grass for quite a length of time. I think I see rot in one of the pictures on the side rail of the frame, and that would be very problematic. I have restored eight or nine C-3 frames and I would want to do more investigation on this one before making a decision. Original color is white but someone painted over the tag meaning it is either a repair, repaint, or touch up job. I had the same thing on a 77 I bought but it was an orange car repainted with white. Two to one is normal on exhaust, should have it's catalytic converter still in place if never replaced then. I bought a 1977 with 78,000 miles on it, running and driving, for $4,000. I would that for $6,900 you can get a much nicer car in running condition. I wish I was close enough to inspect it for you, engine condition looks rough for 22,000 miles.
Remember these are just my observations from pictures of what we can see and it may be much nicer in person.
Good luck with your search.
David Howard
Thanks David after sleeping on it, I agree, I'll keep looking!
The car appears to have the gymkanna? suspension as there are nine leafs on the rear spring,
The nine leaf spring is the standard suspension. Gymkanna suspension had 7 leaves, heavier spring rates in the front, and a rear sway bar. Looks like a lot of rust in the pictures, but I know from taking pictures of my own frame that the pictures made it appear worse than it really was. It is hard to say without seeing it in person. If you could inspect the car and get under there and poke around on the frame you'll be able to tell if it is just surface rust or rotted through.
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