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I am looking at a 1969 C3, but would like some advice on some pictures of surface rust on the frame. Trying to decide if it is something of concern or if I should walk away. I was not able to see any holes in the frame, but there is some pitting and surface rust. I have attached a few pictures and would welcome any feedback. Thanks for the feedback !!!
Looks like the rust was painted over some time ago and it’s breaking through due to damp storage conditions . The rust on those skinny exhaust pipes are an indicator of how it’s been stored/parked. They’re toast for sure.
I would want to tap it with the round end of a ball peen hammer in a number of known trouble areas to assess how much rust is really there. Often these frames rust from the inside as road salt and sand can get into the holes the factory put in these frames. Sand laying in the frame holds moisture and causes rust from the inside out. Photos in this case are of little use. The exhaust looks horrible. my pipes are well over 20 years old and don't look anything like that.
I agree with the above comment on the condition of the skinny exhaust pipe is an indicator of very wet / poor storage.
All of these C3's are gonna have rust unless somebody did a frame off and powder coated everything.
So, the question is how bad and where.
I always take a screwdriver tip and tap the frame fairly hard and see if ring or dull thud. And just as important check the windshield frame for bad rust and remove kick panels for inspection up and down. Lots of posts on rust here, suggest reading them all.
Good luck, not a show stopper for me yet, need to throughly inspect.
The rust you can see is never the problem. It’s the areas you can’t see easily that you need to worry about.
Those spots you are showing in the pics are probably plenty solid. They are not the issue spots.
You need to look at the kick ups by the rear wheels and where the birdcage connects to the frame (behind the kick panels) as well as the windshield frame.
I am looking at a 1969 C3, but would like some advice on some pictures of surface rust on the frame. Trying to decide if it is something of concern or if I should walk away. I was not able to see any holes in the frame, but there is some pitting and surface rust. I have attached a few pictures and would welcome any feedback. Thanks for the feedback !!!
if that exhaust pipe is any indication I wouldn’t be to comfortable with the rest of the frame.. tells me car was in the elements did you look at the birdcage ? I bet it isn’t pretty Buyef beware
I am looking at a 1969 C3, but would like some advice on some pictures of surface rust on the frame. Trying to decide if it is something of concern or if I should walk away. I was not able to see any holes in the frame, but there is some pitting and surface rust. I have attached a few pictures and would welcome any feedback. Thanks for the feedback !!!
Originally Posted by 20mercury
Good advice above.
All of these C3's are gonna have rust unless somebody did a frame off and powder coated everything.
So, the question is how bad and where.
I always take a screwdriver tip and tap the frame fairly hard and see if ring or dull thud. And just as important check the windshield frame for bad rust and remove kick panels for inspection up and down. Lots of posts on rust here, suggest reading them all.
Good luck, not a show stopper for me yet, need to throughly inspect.
C3 frame surface rust
