xpoc454

picked up a very rusted 77 yesterday. It smells like it was under water or had water leak into it. I also think it has a few animals living in it. I got it for cheap to part out and learn more about my 69.
One problem is both doors won't open and the previous owner broke the outside door handles and one of the door glass.
I still haven't figured out how to get the doors open.

John 65

I may be interested in a few parts if you dont mind shipping them.

PM sent.

Thanks, John

Jstan2014

SPCL FX

He is not alone ! I'm still looking for a few things for my 77 , and I'm sure there are some others on the forum too !
Thanks , Ray !

revitup

Brushed steel finish horn button?

xpoc454

I have to get it in my garage. For some reason the back wheels won't move. Made it exciting getting it off the flat bed.

xpoc454

Took a lot of work but got it in the garage. Back tires are locked up and front tires are sobflat and rotted it's basically rims.
Now I have to figure out how to get the doors open. Seems the internals of the door on both may be stuck.

NONN37

you probably gonna have to rip off the door panel and try to sawsall the striker bolt.

ConnecticutJunkman

Now the mice have a new home lol

What a sad ending to a cool car but at least it's parts will go on to save others.

xpoc454

Yep. I'll have more pictures soon now that I have it in a work place. It looks like it was stored outside for many years. At some point the the tires went flat and it submerged itself in mud. Plus I think they stored it under water proof tarps which held water in no doubt.

cheapta

It always amazes me how many C3's were just left to die slow painful deaths! I know of probably 8-10 derelict, abandoned later C3's within a 15 mile radius of my house. I think what happens is people that couldn't really afford the cars stretched their finances and bought them anyway but, when the car needed repairs there wasn't enough $$ left to get it fixed so the car was tucked away "until I have the money to get it fixed" and that never happened.
Good luck parting this out, I hope it works out for you.

Peter

xpoc454

I'm most taking this apart for the learning experience. I finally got passenger side door to open. It seems thre previous owner, in his attempt to open the door, broke the window the door handle and the locking mechanism. The door panel fell apart on removal. Does any of the items from thos door panel have any value or use generally?

ConnecticutJunkman

I'ed save that black tin panel if it isn't damaged. Toss whats broken. Start a thread with a running list in the for sale section with all the bits and peaces as the come off with prices. You never know what odd ball part someone might need.

xpoc454

I'm most taking this apart for the learning experience. I finally got passenger side door to open. It seems thre previous owner, in his attempt to open the door, broke the window the door handle and the locking mechanism. The door panel fell apart on removal. Does any of the items from thos door panel have any value or use generally?

xpoc454

The original Jack is looking a bit rusty. Also, the air filter seems to have housed some small mice or something else.

leadfoot4

If you can't afford to maintain/repair a car properly, let it go, so someone who can, has the opportunity to treat it right, and get some enjoyment from it.

xpoc454

Figured out something today. It seems 77 doors can be removed by removing 8 bolts. That's super nice. I'm pretty sure on my 69 you have to remove the door pins.
Also, it seems the fiberglass is kinda separating from the door. Is there a way to remove the fiberglass from the rusty metal and would anyone have a use for it if I did?

amvenne

Following in case there are some useable parts I can take off your hands for my '77. Sad what happened to this car, but its a pretty cool find. I appreciate someone else who is also willing to spend a little money so they can learn. I catch some flak sometimes for doing that, but hands-on is how I learn best!

derekderek

The steering column and headlight-turn signal switch is 77 only. Try to save the switch.

xpoc454

Wow, thats odd to be 1 year only. I think this is a tilt/telescoping steering column