C3 Frame Rust Issues
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 23
C3 Frame Rust Issues
I am in the process of looking at a 1970 convertible to purchase. At this point I only have a few pictures and the current owner has been very helpful in answering all of my questions. When I asked about any frame rust he stated that it does have minor surface rust but nothing major. I had a 72 years ago that had some serious frame rust issues so I started to shake when I read this. 
This car has been judged as a NCRS 2nd Flight.
Finally on to my questions... I am going to request some frame pics with the rear wheel off as I remember this was one area that was bad. Any advice on where else I need to look before I commit to an 8 hour drive or flight to look at the car? Also, would the NCRS judging note this in the scoring?
I have been out of the game (vette less) for a few years so I am gladly accepting advice!
This car has been judged as a NCRS 2nd Flight. Finally on to my questions... I am going to request some frame pics with the rear wheel off as I remember this was one area that was bad. Any advice on where else I need to look before I commit to an 8 hour drive or flight to look at the car? Also, would the NCRS judging note this in the scoring?
I have been out of the game (vette less) for a few years so I am gladly accepting advice!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 23
Yes, it a good distance but I have been looking for a Vette for awhile and this one seems to have a lot of what I am looking for. The plan would be to use FF miles and fly to see the car first then, if all works out, make the drive to pick-up. Tks MRvette for the info.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 23
I can easily see radiator support rust, etc. but where is the best place to checkout the birdcage? I am guessing up around the top (inside and out) of the windshield? Anything down around the kick panels, etc.? Good points all, tks for the input
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 4
From: whitman massachusetts
Frame Rust
There are some very skilled rip-off artists, and they can do a very good job of disguising a potentially unfixable(without major cash outlay)problems. My suggestion to you is to find a forum member who is in the immediate area and has a backround with these cars. They all rot out in pretty much the same areas, and any of us who have done a frame repair, should be able to, upon a close inspection, detect if it is just surface rust, or a frame that is riddled with rot and been repaired and disguised. Make it clear,up front to whom you want to look at the car, that you are not holding them accountable, you just want some help in determining if the car is worth a plane ride to look at. Pay them what would be fair for their time(and I would bet most forum members who love these cars, as I do, would be cheap) and you could save yourself a lot of hassles. While there are a lot of honest and reputable people around, there are just as many ripoffs, so go into the deal suspicious, until you learn otherwise. Best of luck on your hunt!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 23
Great advice. Does anyone know if significant rust would show up (i.e., points be deducted), in a NCRS score sheet? The car scored a 491 out of 574 (86%) on the chassis section when it was judged. Just curious as I increaase my learning curve moving forward.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Colgate WI
I looked at quite a few cars and the windshield frame always seemed like the place to start looking for rust. Look through the windshield on the edges and look for swelled up metal. Pull the inside plastic trim off. If they let don't you don't buy the car. Kick panels are a good place to look too. If those places are good, there is a pretty good chance the rest of the frame is going to be OK too.
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Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
I looked at quite a few cars and the windshield frame always seemed like the place to start looking for rust. Look through the windshield on the edges and look for swelled up metal. Pull the inside plastic trim off. If they let don't you don't buy the car. Kick panels are a good place to look too. If those places are good, there is a pretty good chance the rest of the frame is going to be OK too.
other place to look is the frame where the trailing arm enters....
Also bodymounts should tell something about the car...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,109
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi TB,
It would be interesting to see the Judging Sheets for this car.
The frame is part of the Chassis Area. It's the first item in Section #8, FRAME & UNDERCARRIAGE.... Frame,Cross Members and Stencil. It's only 10 points Originality and 8 points Condition. So unless the rust was obscene I don't think it would have much affect on the over-all score.
I'd want to see the scoring sheets to see if the Judges made any notes on that line.
Regards,
Alan
It would be interesting to see the Judging Sheets for this car.
The frame is part of the Chassis Area. It's the first item in Section #8, FRAME & UNDERCARRIAGE.... Frame,Cross Members and Stencil. It's only 10 points Originality and 8 points Condition. So unless the rust was obscene I don't think it would have much affect on the over-all score.
I'd want to see the scoring sheets to see if the Judges made any notes on that line.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 379
From: Plano TX
Good advice has been posted... I'd add to pull off the kick panel and look at inside the body mount cavity. When the bird cage rusts out below the windshield corners, rust flakes fall down there. It's very obvious too, there will be tons of crud and rust flakes laying around the body mount.
Also get pics of the frame just before the kick-up (in front of the trailing arm mount), from the bottom. They like to rot out there too.
Unfortunately pictures don't tell the whole story so when you get there be sure to bring a screwdriver and poke the frame in these spots.
Oh, and check the front lower control arm attaching points on the front cross member. They have a bad habit of tearing out.
Edit: One other trick is to put a floor jack on the frame, under the middle of the door and lift until both wheel on that side are off the ground. Look at the door gaps with the car on the ground and up in the air. The gaps will increase somewhat even with a perfect frame, but if it's rotted the gaps will grow substantially and you may well not be able to open the door.
Also get pics of the frame just before the kick-up (in front of the trailing arm mount), from the bottom. They like to rot out there too.
Unfortunately pictures don't tell the whole story so when you get there be sure to bring a screwdriver and poke the frame in these spots.
Oh, and check the front lower control arm attaching points on the front cross member. They have a bad habit of tearing out.
Edit: One other trick is to put a floor jack on the frame, under the middle of the door and lift until both wheel on that side are off the ground. Look at the door gaps with the car on the ground and up in the air. The gaps will increase somewhat even with a perfect frame, but if it's rotted the gaps will grow substantially and you may well not be able to open the door.
Last edited by zwede; Mar 20, 2009 at 10:50 AM.
Account disabled by request 8 Feb 2010
Joined: Jan 2009
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Remove the #3 body mount access plate and look inside for rust damage also check #4 body mount reinforcement. They commonly fill with road dirt from the rear wheels and hold water like a sponge which causes rust through.
