Intro & First Question...
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Intro & First Question...
Hello! I'm Ed, and I play with cars.
I'm looking to buy a nice '69-'72 coupe. I've done some homework, and understand the importance of frame & birdcage rust issues.
One car I'm looking into is:Corvette with replaement frame
Being a long time British car guy, this doesn't seem like a problem to me. I'm not too concerned with numbers matching, a solid, good driving & looking car is more important to me.
Thoughts?
I'm looking to buy a nice '69-'72 coupe. I've done some homework, and understand the importance of frame & birdcage rust issues.
One car I'm looking into is:Corvette with replaement frame
Being a long time British car guy, this doesn't seem like a problem to me. I'm not too concerned with numbers matching, a solid, good driving & looking car is more important to me.
Thoughts?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
In the description:
"This particular 1972 model comes out of long term 25 year ownership and is finished in gorgeous Targa Blue over black interior. It is the final year for the chrome bumper cars which in our opinion makes these cars stand out. The frame on this car was replaced due to some corrosion in 1997, the exterior was completely redone and interior was restored in 2008. The car is a factory A/C car with a retrofit of R134 done in 2014."
"This particular 1972 model comes out of long term 25 year ownership and is finished in gorgeous Targa Blue over black interior. It is the final year for the chrome bumper cars which in our opinion makes these cars stand out. The frame on this car was replaced due to some corrosion in 1997, the exterior was completely redone and interior was restored in 2008. The car is a factory A/C car with a retrofit of R134 done in 2014."
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I read the full ad you linked to, seems a bit of smoke and mirrors fluff in the ad that should be spent giving details,
The car had a rotten frame replaced in the 90s better than still having it, if the job was done well.
My 69 has a 68 frame i dont care but i would think that in the case of the car you posted it should have been reflected in asking price but im a modder and dont know how much purists care about born with frames and replacements effecting price, its also a base coupe with luggage rack, i hate the racks so be sure you like them, which being a brit car guy you just might dig racks.
Have fun on the forum
The car had a rotten frame replaced in the 90s better than still having it, if the job was done well.
My 69 has a 68 frame i dont care but i would think that in the case of the car you posted it should have been reflected in asking price but im a modder and dont know how much purists care about born with frames and replacements effecting price, its also a base coupe with luggage rack, i hate the racks so be sure you like them, which being a brit car guy you just might dig racks.
Have fun on the forum
Last edited by The13Bats; Nov 3, 2018 at 12:49 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
Be very careful with that one. I would bet money there's rust in the birdcage. Just look at the seat belt mounts reinforcements underneath , completely rotted through.
A frame swap is "relatively" easy to do, they would have seen those rusted plates under the car and elected to leave it. So if replacing those riveted plates is too hard , then cutting rust out the cage wasn't going to happen.
Of course I could be wrong , but only way to be sure is a visit in person or at least specific pics of potential rust areas.
A frame swap is "relatively" easy to do, they would have seen those rusted plates under the car and elected to leave it. So if replacing those riveted plates is too hard , then cutting rust out the cage wasn't going to happen.
Of course I could be wrong , but only way to be sure is a visit in person or at least specific pics of potential rust areas.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 103
From: Brisbane Queensland
Both of those seat belt anchor plates have been replaced at some time, the pictures show self tapping screws holding them in place not rivets. I agree be very careful and check the birdcage very carefully.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Is it just me or is it sitting high?
Repairs like frame swaps can in most cases like stated lead to other things needing attention,
My number 3 pass body mount birdcage was rusted out and a new one had to be welded in,
These cars with such repairs are not necessarily to be avoided but rather inspected well and price adjusted accordingly
Repairs like frame swaps can in most cases like stated lead to other things needing attention,
My number 3 pass body mount birdcage was rusted out and a new one had to be welded in,
These cars with such repairs are not necessarily to be avoided but rather inspected well and price adjusted accordingly
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Last edited by Easy Mike; Nov 3, 2018 at 08:15 AM.
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
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Rust never sleeps. As the others have said if the frame was replaced hard to believe that took care of all the rust issues. This is a Corvette that you need to see in person with someone who knows these cars and can check the problem areas if you are that serious about purchasing it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Is it just me or is it sitting high?
Repairs like frame swaps can in most cases like stated lead to other things needing attention,
My number 3 pass body mount birdcage was rusted out and a new one had to be welded in,
These cars with such repairs are not necessarily to be avoided but rather inspected well and price adjusted accordingly
Repairs like frame swaps can in most cases like stated lead to other things needing attention,
My number 3 pass body mount birdcage was rusted out and a new one had to be welded in,
These cars with such repairs are not necessarily to be avoided but rather inspected well and price adjusted accordingly
Hard to believe that could be just oversight, I would have definitely addressed that.......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 122
From: Lighthouse Point FL
For that money, you can find nicer cars. The suspension looks pretty tired for having been supposedly swapped onto a new frame. I’d be willing to bet they just threw an old complete frame under this car. They definitely didn’t restore the suspension if they put it onto the “new” frame. The price would be OK if it was sitting on a fully restored frame and suspension, but there is a lot of work to do on this car. I’d worry about birdcage rust too. These Northern cars saw a lot of salt on the roads and wide temperature ranges with freezing rain and ice.
Keep looking.
Keep looking.
Last edited by maj75; Nov 3, 2018 at 04:06 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Craigslist, eBay, and the for sale Section here. Look around at what's out there that money. And then you got to figure in the distance from you.traveling to look at a car is inconvenient. And then spending an extra maybe a couple of thousand to get it home to you. But if you're a spend 10K too much for a car because of $2,500 of airfare and shipping, well you do the math. The one you found is also only an automatic. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-454-4sp.html. One possibility.
Last edited by derekderek; Nov 3, 2018 at 04:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Great points! That's exactly why I joined this group... I'm well versed in several British cars, and a few German models. I would have had no clue about "birdcage" etc., if not for "the internet" and folks who REALLY know the cars.
Thank you...
Thank you...
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 548
From: Round Rock Texas
Hello Ed and welcome aboard. I agree with the others’ comments above regarding this car and it’s price. We got our ‘72 in June of this year and paid almost 10K less than the listed price of the one here. I’ve noticed most of the C3’s on eBay, that are listed by dealers, tend to be priced very high. Best of luck with your search!
Last edited by Jstan2014; Nov 4, 2018 at 04:53 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
yup, frame rust usually means birdcage rust and rust in the other usual places. not always, but at least it should trigger you to look really close at the other rust places. I agree with previous post in that
the frame swap was just that.. probably a used rolling chassis put under the car. see rusted seat braces, dented front crossmember from jacking, overly rusted pipes further shows no other expense was made in the frame swap.
leather interior is worth a premium, plus the A/C, looks like great paint.
thats all worth several thousand to me on top of a low 20's medium condition car. IMHO
the frame swap was just that.. probably a used rolling chassis put under the car. see rusted seat braces, dented front crossmember from jacking, overly rusted pipes further shows no other expense was made in the frame swap.
leather interior is worth a premium, plus the A/C, looks like great paint.
thats all worth several thousand to me on top of a low 20's medium condition car. IMHO
