I found a low millage 1971 C3 small block 4 speed for sale. It has been setting outside for over 40 years. Not sheltered. Chrome looks good. The paint is very thin with some small spots of fiberglass exposed. No cracks in fiberglass that I can see. Frame seems to have what looks like thick rust. The car will need a full restoration maybe a replacement frame. With out pictures to post could I get input from knowledgeable members as to what it might be worth.

Also. If fiberglass is exposed to the sun and rain for a long time is it's life over? Thanks

SEE latest post about this car.

 

40 years in the weather! Examine the bird cage carefully. If the frame shows heavy rust I'm betting its a mess as well. Given time and money anything is possible. There are many threads of people considering or tackling a project of this magnitude. It can be done. If you have the skill to do most of the work, enough space, time and money, go for it.

 

Cars in fields are bad news as they rust from the frame up. Even if the frame is going to be replaced all the suspension and brakes are going to need to be replaced. Now for the bad news, I know the birdcage issue was raised and the problem is the t tops leaked and filled the windshield frame with water before it gets to the birdcage and body mounts. If you see rust any where around the windshield or wiper tray then the only thing left that might be good is the fiberglass and the chrome.

if the owner doesn’t care and your getting the car for free, I would pull all the trim off the windshield or get the wiper door open to inspect that and pull the speaker kick panels and peak in there for rust. Even if it’s free this might not be salvageable. The hidden rust is what kills these cars.

you may just have a few parts left worth selling, never mind building a car around. Pics would help a lot with opinion, I tend to go negative without pics to change my mind

 

66,
I don’t know anything about the value, but I used to work in a fiberglass shop and I can tell you that fiberglass can sit out in a field for 40-50 years and it will not break down at all. The paint may chip and crack and so long as none of the fibers are exposed (which will look like little bits of hair standing up.) or there aren’t any cracks in the structure of the panels then it should be fine. Repainting it will probably be a little more involved (And pricier) than a metal car though.

 

paris tx. is the car near you? not wet like houston, but not dry like lubbock. if the sun burned thru the paint it could be glass damage. if paint is intact, glass should be too. if you saw sun destroyed glass, you would not have to ask. glass fibers waving in the breeze. easy to get 1k out in parts. bumpers, grilles, headlight assys doors,,, could be worth 500 or 5000. probly closer to 500 but could be salvagable. but you are usually better off spending 15 or 20 on a relatively good car than spending 15 or 20 on a free car and having one worth 10.

 

What I failed to mention is The car is a one owner numbers matching. If I buy it they do not want it resold or parted out. I have to agree to restore it.
Thanks to all of you who gave there help on this matter. I am going to look at it again to be sure it is something I want to take on. I will try and look into rust on the bird cage.
I don't think the T tops have been removed since it was parked. I don't know if the seals would have kept the water out or if they just go bad while setting and leak...At this time I can't get the doors open. The outside latches do not work. Any more input anyone might have would be welcome.. Thanks again.

 

Dry (or even semi-dry) Tx is a different environment than, say, Vermont. Go look at it given all others have told you. Perhaps take off the top t-top trim. All the replacement metal pieces are available for repair, but unless you're a very good fabricator, it might be something left to someone who is (or you'll become a good fabricator by the time you're finished).

As for the fiberglass itself. It's probably ok. What you'd want to do is completely strip off the paint and then assess what you have. The glass doesn't break down, but the resin might. But if it has paint on it, its probably fine. You'd be looking at a near total restoration that could take you a lot of time. By the time you figure your time and the cost of buying 'everything' it needs, is it really going to be worth it? What are similar cars going for in this economy (or in 6 months of this)? If you were to restore it, it might be numbers-matching, but 1/2 the car might be aftermarket parts, so what does that mean? IDK the answer to those questions, but those are questions to ask yourself.

I'm guessing you probably wouldn't be asking your question if you were a seasoned restorer. If you get this car you are currently standing at the foot of a mountain. Climbing can be fun and very rewarding, but also takes a lot of sacrifice. Lot of guys never make it to the summit of Everest and turn back or the dream flames out. If you have kids and a family you're possibly going to give up a lot of family time ...or maybe add family time if you can motivate them to participate. For some guys projects like these can drag on for years, or be the point of a rewarding time with family members. Sometimes going into a project with ignorance (don't take that the wrong way), is the best way. You go down a path and take a journey a wiser you might have otherwise turned away from. Only you best know your situation. If you feel up for it, why not??

 

Good advice. Thank you. I have made it to the peek many times on projects. I haven't taken one on that I did not complete. Boats cars trucks and motorcycle. At present I am deep into a E type. Even though the price is good I will give the C3 a long look at the things you and others have written about. Before I try and take it on. If I do.... Thanks again. to you and the others.

 

jag guy. shoveling out the garage. i just found a posidrive screwdriver. had a bunch of XJ's. and Lucas wired all the english refrigerators. that is why brits love warm beer...

 

JMO......but if you buy it, it's your car.......what they want doesn't matter. You've paid for all rights and privileges.

 

Yes, but if close friend or family, you don't wanna eff up a relationship over flipping a parts car. You could also find them someone who will take the car and treat it the way they want it treated. Possibly even somebody close enough for partial visitation rights... I am sure several guys on here are thinking thoughts. They get to know car is safe and you get to keep working on the E.

 

If these folks are so concerned about this cars future, where have they been for the last 40 years? If they insist you don't resell it or part it out, they should give you the car and contribute to the thousands it will take to keep them happy. Are they friends, relatives, neighbors? I would help them write a for sale ad and wish them luck. Taking on a project of this magnitude, you don't need the prior owner looking over your shoulder at every move. That's what wives are for..

 

Start with the worst case scenario, get some catalogs and start pricing out the "big" pieces, frame, brake system, fuel system..etc. Since it is a complete (?) car all the small parts should be there. With an obligation like this over your head the more you know ahead of time the better off you will be. Sounds like from your description that all bushing, mounts and soft pieces most likely will need replacing as well. There is a point of diminishing return and once down this rabbit hole its a long and costly way out. My 75 only needed an engine and tranny.....until I started looking... on another note the knowledge you gain is immeasurable, and the guys on this site are the best to help you out. . Just hope Bubba wasn't involved in the past!
All the best!

 

When you go back, get pics of everything......

 

Post while you are there. Tell us ahead of time when u are going.

 

I have a few pictures on my phone I will try and post them tomorrow.