brassplyer

Any insights as to why the General didn't do a better job of protecting the birdcage? Seems it wouldn't have cost much to give it a going over with something. Did they not anticipate it would be a problem? Cutting corners on cost? More difficult to do than I realize?

bb62

GM just didn't expect that these cars would last 50+ years out. They only wanted to make sure that the 1st few years of ownership were trouble and rust free.

caskiguy

They knew what they knew back in the day and surely mfg. cost were considered especially during the 69' strike causing back up ( imho ) and like the other fella said, Chevy wasn't thinking 50 years out. No one was.

Antz81

I'm sure cars being made now would have rust problems if they are still around in 50 years

mrvette

Fantastic plastic never rusts......

BUT on my '72 vert, I wrapped the stainless header covers with black vinyl, going from under the w/s molding to the inside header plastic....not only does the top seal much better, but it stops the water.....I also took all the trim off and completely filled ALL of the openings in the area, I mean totally, black RTV/silicone seal......and used it to hold the stainless trim down too....also went after the fenders having filled in all the gaps there too, used like 3-4 caulking gun tubes of it.....but no more water damage....wasn't much to start with, and sure as HELL not getting any worse....one thing I did not do was drill holes in the header and spray paint of some sort into there, flooding the entire housing to the point of overflow, the drain out the bottom.....

leadfoot4

Back then, the warranty period and payment book, both were 36 months.

I think that cars made today are better, in terms of corrosion protection, but I agree, after 50 years of usage, most metal devices will get rusty.

Black 03 Z06

You answered your own question. General Motors.

They suck now and have always sucked.

bfit

It’s called inbuilt mortality.

fake

The salt they spray on the roads today in the north east acts like a magnet and eats away the metal of the car dailyThe problem is with the states snow removal methods not Gm!I I bought a new El-Camino in 1972 and sold it a year later because the under side of the tail gate just rusted out so bad i panic and every new car after that i treated not with Z-Bar but a four can undercoating kit sears sold for $50.00. This spray had four wands and you sprayed at that time in to existing holes that had black plugs you removed to under coat the car. This method worked very well and i had no rot on my new purchases So if you are going to marry that new purchase you to can protect the metal but it must be done on a new purchase dry and clean!

cv67

If cars last too long they cant sell you a new one
my 17 yr old Chevy is getting some rust...no snow

Even my 67 which was blasted/coated head to toe is getting a few spots peeking under the nice paint, been covered in a garage the whole time
Nothing lasts forever make sure you use it!!!

Rescue Rogers

The term your searching for is planned obsolescence. Everything is supposed to break or breakdown at a scheduled interval

joewill

Human Nature..
after the design phase of engineering a car, the next step is for all the bean counters to sit around a large round table and brainstorm how to cut costs and save money, or not spend more money..
like volkswagon complying to federal emissions standards, or ford keeping the pinto gas tank in the back....risk actuaring .

Bills17n72

its because GM didnt give a #hit about those cars later in the years!

c3_dk

They made a max. 10 year car, so it was a waist of money.