Rivet Bumps
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 116
From: Wilmington, NC
Rivet Bumps
Are rivet bumps on an early C3 a plus or minus on a very original car? I ask because while there is the appearance factor and the underlying corrosion, I’ve seen comments and for sale ads talking of them in positive terms with respect to originality and them being indicative of an original no hit car. Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
How could they be a plus? Looks like crap, and needs repaired. I will never understand how being "original" somehow makes something better. Maybe GM should install rivet bumps on brand new cars to make them look better.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 486
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
I don't like them and made sure my car did not have any. If there is rust enough there then likely much more other places. I think you have sales people trying to sell what they have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
There are lots of things that are better when they are original, but rivets coming through on the nose is not one of them. It does not prove the car was not hit.
Its a bad sign and can signal other rust issues. It’s not an easy fix either.
Its a bad sign and can signal other rust issues. It’s not an easy fix either.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 116
From: Wilmington, NC
Redvette, no I don’t have salespeople trying to sell me something. It is so annoying when I ask a legitimate question and get sarcasm. My car has minor bumps, it’s very original and not a rust bucket. Most people know the bumps are caused by the dissimilar metals and not road salt, though obviously salt would exacerbate the problem. My bumps are the same as they were when the car was judged 2nd flight 20 years ago. I’m debating whether to repair them. I’m pretty sure I will but just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks for yours.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
The first two are current photos and the last one is the day the car was delivered.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 756
From: Laporte, IN
The rivets bumps are not original when the was made. It is a result from years of differential metal corrosion (steel support bar and Aluminum rivet). It only indicates that the front end is original but the Corvette was stored outside or in a poorly ventilated storage site. I have viewed hundreds of original Corvette with out this issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
I think you`ll be very happy when they`re gone, and you, too, will say.... "It was worth it".
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 1,825
From: Apple Valley, MN
The rivets hold the steel reinforcement to a fiberglass piece that, in turn, is bonded to the underside of the surround. As PJO points out, the issue is dissimilar metals. The aluminum rivets have a higher negative anodic index than steel so the rivet corrodes from galvanic action. For that galvanic reaction to occur, however, there needs to be an electrolyte which, in these cases, is water, most likely from a high humidity environment.
My take is that if your car has the original paint, leave the warts alone. The car is likely worth more if it has presentable original paint than a fresh repaint. However, if your paint is not original, it is your call if you want to have them addressed. Just know that any respray effort, if partial, will be detectable so you need to consider that aspect as well.
My take is that if your car has the original paint, leave the warts alone. The car is likely worth more if it has presentable original paint than a fresh repaint. However, if your paint is not original, it is your call if you want to have them addressed. Just know that any respray effort, if partial, will be detectable so you need to consider that aspect as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
I thought because my car doesn't have them that the front end had some paint work at one time... but it hasn't had paint work and there are no rivet issues. Then I asked the owner from 1973 - 2018 how he cared for the car. He never washed it and never drove it with the T-tops in it... never is a strong word, however the car is from mid ohio and was there until 2018 and has no issues. I take it as a MAJOR plus that the car doesn't have them and it is original paint.
The first two are current photos and the last one is the day the car was delivered.
.
The first two are current photos and the last one is the day the car was delivered.
.
To the OP, since you did ask for opinions, I would fix it if I had the ability to do so. And in Redvettes defense, I thought you were looking at a car to buy also. It kinda sounded like that when you mentioned you were looking at sales ads. I didn’t think he was being sarcastic. Sales people will say anything to sell a car. I think that’s all he was saying.
Highway Man
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 445
Likes: 188
From: Ca
If you or a shop wants to tackle the issue and replace the headerbar removing the swollen disintegrating aluminium rivets, it’s a bit more technical with an assembled and painted car but can be done.
There are some good pictures of what you need to do along with a URL to a Willcox how to doc.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1603107310
There are some good pictures of what you need to do along with a URL to a Willcox how to doc.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1603107310
Last edited by Kidster71; Aug 8, 2021 at 12:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,829
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,997
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Redvette, no I don’t have salespeople trying to sell me something. It is so annoying when I ask a legitimate question and get sarcasm. My car has minor bumps, it’s very original and not a rust bucket. Most people know the bumps are caused by the dissimilar metals and not road salt, though obviously salt would exacerbate the problem. My bumps are the same as they were when the car was judged 2nd flight 20 years ago. I’m debating whether to repair them. I’m pretty sure I will but just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks for yours.
If you decide to tackle it there's plenty of threads here to show the procedure. Good luck.