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It's a bit off topic, but I wanted to share about the herd of animals/nests I had found recent times during restoration disassembly. :-) I did not took photos earlier, because I didn't thought that one time I may want to make a list of these "additional options".
No. 1 is mice:
- I found an abandoned nest behind the passenger side dash, between astro vent element and firewall insulation. The insulation was a great base for a messy nest.
- During body off, I found another old nest in the rear compartment. The insulation under the carpet was chewed and the little pieces collated over the 4th body mount nut on the driver's side.
- I have found a long time dead mouse and some empty walnut shells inside the driver's side 3th body mount well after removing the small cover in front of the wheel. I don't know how the mouse get in there, is there a hole from above?
- I thought I have found everything like that after tearing down the interior, but it never ends. I just took a photo about this one: mouse or maybe squirrel(?) collected some acorns inside the rear differential cross member:
Other species:
- I removed two abandoned hornet nests from the undercarriage.
- I have found a small dead bird and dried out remains (mostly the spine and skin) of a small snake over the 3rd crossmember.
- A lot of dead bugs and worms inside the old, teared seat cover & foam.
I found the skeletons of 4 mice and 1 opossum in my 71. Possum got in through cracked soft top back window but couldn’t find his way out. So he chewed on almost everything in the interior before he expired. And the car was parked indoors—for 34 years. .
I was disappointed to not find my tank sheet on top of the gas tank. Later I discovered it shredded into confetti inside the rear crossmember along with nut shells. Fortunately one of the bigger pieces was the lower left corner of the sheet which showed the dealer it was shipped to in New Hampshire. That piece of info agreed with the first known title holders state of residence. Old cars tell you stories. Some of them have happy endings. Good luck with your archeology.
When I did the frame off on my 68 C10 when I stripped down the cab the vents on both sides were filled to the top with mouse/rat nests and various dead critters. Cleaned them out and hit them with the pressure washer. Smelled so much better after that.
I bought my 78 for a dime on the dollar because a mouse had lived it for who knows how long. Mouse **** is one of the worse substances on the planet. Ruined the interior of an otherwise decent car.
Bought a 70 El Camino that sat outside for several years not running and a mouse had packed the passenger side exhaust with dry dog food.
Zoo in my C3
