Bird Cage Parts
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Tampa Bay Florida
Bird Cage Parts
Anyone know a good place to purchase birdcage parts?
I have a 68 vert that was wreaked on the driver's side right behind the door. The cage is crimpled, rusted and no longer connected to the rest of the cage. The rail under the door is in bad shape too.
I'm lifting the body off the frame next weekend.
I have a 68 vert that was wreaked on the driver's side right behind the door. The cage is crimpled, rusted and no longer connected to the rest of the cage. The rail under the door is in bad shape too.
I'm lifting the body off the frame next weekend.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
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From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
I think this place would be able to help you out on this one. They claim to be the largest manufacturer of Corvette sheet metal parts. Sounds like you are in for a major project there, are you sure it's worth fixing?
http://www.vetteproducts.net/
You also might want to check around in salvage yards, maybe somewhere there is a side clip?
http://www.vetteproducts.net/
You also might want to check around in salvage yards, maybe somewhere there is a side clip?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Tampa Bay Florida
Thanks for the info.
The damge is limited to the part of the cage that the door strike plate is connected to. That section is no longer connected to the rocker section that runs under the door. Plus the #3 body mount bracket on the sill is rusted away. So, will need a replacement for that section too. I can also see a lot of body work on the rear quarter panel in that area as well. A lot of bondo. Maybe I'll just cut that section off and order a replacement panel. Fiberglass panels are easy to find ... Just having a hard time finding bird cage components.
Here's a diagram of the components I need:
I've had the car for 15 years ( parked in my garage ). I promised my son that when he turned 16 we would work on it together. He was six at the time. He turned 16 in January, and came to collect on my promise. So, I'm not about to give up on this car just yet. I will say that I felt a tight knot in my stomach when I found the hidden damage today. Hopefully, it won't be too difficult to replace since it's a convertible.
Frank
The damge is limited to the part of the cage that the door strike plate is connected to. That section is no longer connected to the rocker section that runs under the door. Plus the #3 body mount bracket on the sill is rusted away. So, will need a replacement for that section too. I can also see a lot of body work on the rear quarter panel in that area as well. A lot of bondo. Maybe I'll just cut that section off and order a replacement panel. Fiberglass panels are easy to find ... Just having a hard time finding bird cage components.
Here's a diagram of the components I need:
I've had the car for 15 years ( parked in my garage ). I promised my son that when he turned 16 we would work on it together. He was six at the time. He turned 16 in January, and came to collect on my promise. So, I'm not about to give up on this car just yet. I will say that I felt a tight knot in my stomach when I found the hidden damage today. Hopefully, it won't be too difficult to replace since it's a convertible.
Frank
Last edited by cannonfl; Mar 13, 2005 at 09:29 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by Big Fish
I think this place would be able to help you out on this one. They claim to be the largest manufacturer of Corvette sheet metal parts. Sounds like you are in for a major project there, are you sure it's worth fixing?
http://www.vetteproducts.net/
You also might want to check around in salvage yards, maybe somewhere there is a side clip?
http://www.vetteproducts.net/
You also might want to check around in salvage yards, maybe somewhere there is a side clip?
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by cannonfl
Anyone know a good place to purchase birdcage parts?
I have a 68 vert that was wreaked on the driver's side right behind the door. The cage is crimpled, rusted and no longer connected to the rest of the cage. The rail under the door is in bad shape too.
I'm lifting the body off the frame next weekend.
I have a 68 vert that was wreaked on the driver's side right behind the door. The cage is crimpled, rusted and no longer connected to the rest of the cage. The rail under the door is in bad shape too.
I'm lifting the body off the frame next weekend.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Originally Posted by cannonfl
I'm lifting the body off the frame next weekend.
http://home.earthlink.net/~steverieb...3bodydolly.jpg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Tampa Bay Florida
I'm located in the Tampa Bay area.
I was able to find the rocker channels on a few different websites, but the door pillar is another story all together. I may just try to fix the one on the car the best I can with scrap steel. What type of weld should I use on these parts?
I had already thought about the rear end just snapping off, so I'm going to be as careful as I can. I'm lifting the body with a lift strap running all the way under the body behind the doors, and 2 others connected to the lower door hinge bolts on each side of the car. I've removed the doors and am using 2x4s to brace the openings.
Some of you might think, "Damn, glad it's not me!!!" But, I love this stuff. Sure beats sitting in front of a computer all day programming in Java ( my day job ), and I'm having a lot of fun with my son.
I was able to find the rocker channels on a few different websites, but the door pillar is another story all together. I may just try to fix the one on the car the best I can with scrap steel. What type of weld should I use on these parts?
I had already thought about the rear end just snapping off, so I'm going to be as careful as I can. I'm lifting the body with a lift strap running all the way under the body behind the doors, and 2 others connected to the lower door hinge bolts on each side of the car. I've removed the doors and am using 2x4s to brace the openings.
Some of you might think, "Damn, glad it's not me!!!" But, I love this stuff. Sure beats sitting in front of a computer all day programming in Java ( my day job ), and I'm having a lot of fun with my son.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
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A CI-6 Car Show Winner
In the link I gave you, I am pretty sure that I saw that latch pillar post listed, but there were no pictures. I would call them on that part, or e-mail them your drawing.
Doing a restoration on your car with your son will be a great experience, you both will learn a lot. Both my sons went through similar experiences, but they were into motorcycles. Take a lot of pictures, you can't go back and get them later.
1968 frames had some issues with cracking around the kickup area. The problem was corrected by the 1969 model year. Those people at vette products could probably make some recommendations on the extra bracing that's required to correct the problem.
Doing a restoration on your car with your son will be a great experience, you both will learn a lot. Both my sons went through similar experiences, but they were into motorcycles. Take a lot of pictures, you can't go back and get them later.
1968 frames had some issues with cracking around the kickup area. The problem was corrected by the 1969 model year. Those people at vette products could probably make some recommendations on the extra bracing that's required to correct the problem.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
On your door parts, I don't think anyone is reproing those. You probably have to go used or fix what you have. I you look on Ebay, good cowl back bodies go cheap (around $100). You could probably buy one and have the parts you need cut out cheaply. For a vert you can get the parts you need from any 68-82. I know people in Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale that would have your parts used.
If you want new, look at Corvette Central or Caldonia, probably others too. Keep watching Ebay. Try Hemmings.
If you want new, look at Corvette Central or Caldonia, probably others too. Keep watching Ebay. Try Hemmings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
There's a Corvette salvage yard "Sunshine Corvette" in Dade City near you. Frank Yager is the owner and has many C-3 vettes in his yard. Maybe you can get what you need there.
Sunshine Corvette #352-567-4452
Jim
Sunshine Corvette #352-567-4452
Jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Tampa Bay Florida
Small world!
My wife went to school with Frank Yager's daughter Carey-Anne, and now she's my son's teacher! We didn't know about the Corvette Salvage yard. You have helped so much - THANKS!
Frank
My wife went to school with Frank Yager's daughter Carey-Anne, and now she's my son's teacher! We didn't know about the Corvette Salvage yard. You have helped so much - THANKS!
Frank
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
Originally Posted by cannonfl
Small world!
My wife went to school with Frank Yager's daughter Carey-Anne, and now she's my son's teacher! We didn't know about the Corvette Salvage yard. You have helped so much - THANKS!
Frank
My wife went to school with Frank Yager's daughter Carey-Anne, and now she's my son's teacher! We didn't know about the Corvette Salvage yard. You have helped so much - THANKS!
Frank
I hope he's still there...I haven't called them in quite a while...about 3 years. He had many C-3's there and a big barn fill of pulled parts. Best of luck to ya!
Jim
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 236
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From: Clearwater Florida
I'm also in the Tampa Bay area. I know its a little late now but I bought two complete rocker channels (one for each side) with vertical extensions at the front and rear at this year's NCRS show in Orlando.
I would be interested in seeing the damage you have and the in- progress work as you perform it. I need to do essentially the same repair as you are going to do only mine is rust damge, not wreck damage.
I know of a 74 coupe in our area that is in the process of being parted out. The birdcage and fiberglass? pieces you need are probably available and would probably be priced very reasonable.
Frank Yeager is well known in the area and definetly has the birdcage and fiberglass? pieces you need. However, he might expect you to remove them yourself while the car is in a field and working in the dirt.
My contact still has the car in a garage on jackstands and has the tools you would need.
If this sounds like something you may be interested in and want to explore this option, please contact me. My email address is in my profile.
I'm not looking to gain anything here except meeting someone who will be performing the same corvette surgery as I am faced with.
I would be interested in seeing the damage you have and the in- progress work as you perform it. I need to do essentially the same repair as you are going to do only mine is rust damge, not wreck damage.
I know of a 74 coupe in our area that is in the process of being parted out. The birdcage and fiberglass? pieces you need are probably available and would probably be priced very reasonable.
Frank Yeager is well known in the area and definetly has the birdcage and fiberglass? pieces you need. However, he might expect you to remove them yourself while the car is in a field and working in the dirt.
My contact still has the car in a garage on jackstands and has the tools you would need.
If this sounds like something you may be interested in and want to explore this option, please contact me. My email address is in my profile.
I'm not looking to gain anything here except meeting someone who will be performing the same corvette surgery as I am faced with.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 200
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I know of a 74 coupe in our area that is in the process of being parted out. The birdcage and fiberglass? pieces you need are probably available and would probably be priced very reasonable.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Tampa Bay Florida
Originally Posted by 67-73-76
I know of a 74 coupe in our area that is in the process of being parted out. The birdcage and fiberglass? pieces you need are probably available and would probably be priced very reasonable.
I doubt I'll be working on the rocker channels for a few months, but still would like to have the parts for my peace of mind. I'm planning to remove the fiberglass rocker sills and part way up the door jam to the latch to get to the bird cage components that need replacing. I've never done anything like this before, so if you're looking for help from me, it would be the blind leading the blind.
If that doesn't phase you ... Welcome!
