I bought this all original 1975 Corvette when I was 16 (I'm 27 now) and drove it two years until I bought a 1989 Corvette. During those two years, I did a lot of work to it including rebuilt rear end and carburator, detailed engine, and new interior. Unfortunately, I let the car sit outside uncovered from 2000 until last month when my Dad helped me to get it running again and got the brakes working with new calipers, master cylinder, etc. I'm now starting to strip the car to get it painted next spring and am also planning on putting in an LSx soon. However, before spending all that money, I want to make sure the rust isn't going to get worse and make it worthless in a few years. I've tried to research all of the "bad" spots on C3s and then took pictures of each area (window frame, kick panel body mount, body mount in front of rear pass. tire).

From now on, the car will always be in my garage or a parking garage at work so it will probably never get rained on again. Ideally, I would like to just clear out all the surface rust that I can reach and then paint with por 15 and then get it painted. Is this feasible, or do I really need to have more extensive work done? It obviously has very heavy surface rust but doesn't seem to be "rusted out" with holes like others I have seen here. Please let me know what you think. If the majority of you say "don't get it painted without replacing the birdcage", I'll probably just finish striping it and prime it myself and drive it around until it is unsafe and then sell it for parts. It has a lot of sentimental value but I can't afford to spend $20K to get it looking and running good. Thanks for the advice!

It is an L48 auto

When my windsheild was replaced about 10 years ago, the guy noticed some rusting around the windsheild frame and covered the wiper motor and firewall in some black goo. You'll see some before pics of that area and some after I scraped off the goo.

http://s974.photobucket.com/albums/a...rvette%20rust/

 

I'd be concerned about the windshield frame and #2 mounts. Looks like a lot of loose material has fallen down. Shop vac the area at the #2s, bang on that part of the cage with a hammer and see how much rust comes down.

 

Others may differ, but I say seal it. It looks like there is still ample metal there. But much worse and it will need major repair, like I said others may differ.

 

That looks very rough (don't take it the wrong way, I'm just being honest).

 

oooh... boy, I have seen all of that before...4 years ago I started a project just like that. My rocker channels and everything was gone beyond repair. I picked up a set of used ones and welded them in. I had to replace the two sides and the upper section of the windshield frame. I think mine may have been in worst shape than that. There is a link in my profile to my photo bucket if you would like to check it out. I have not updated it for quite some time now, but I am still working on it. I guess the main thing is that there isn't any holes, scrape or wire wheel the heavy scale, spray it with a rust converter and try and get some paint on it. It is just such a shame to let something like that to just die.
Anyway lots of luck with whatever you choose to do.
Clyde

 

yes, just to be honest.. the metal on your car is shot.. as a buyer, I would not go near that car.. you will spend thousands upon thousands on that car and still be way upside down on it... I would dump it for whatever you can get and start over with another one... no knowledgeable buyer will buy the car... don't put a fancy paint job and a nice lsx in that car.. sell this one and buy another that is much better shape and you will be driving it next day vs this car being down for a year+.. this is from experience... dump that car.. it will hurt your pocketbook now but 5 years from now you will be glad you did! put a good coat of por-15 everywhere it needs and then button it up and sell it...

to all you vette enthusiasts out there, this is what happens when you park your car outside in the elements for a decade..

IMHO, and I didn't even see the frame.. Post some frame pics of the rear in front of the rear wheels and also the Xmission crossmember and rear crossmember....

 

Hi WV,
Don't take this wrong, but, I don't think an old car that you let sit outside for 10 years, is a car you feel has a "lot of sentimental value".
The forum often has threads about cars that people are getting back on the road regardless of the cost/work because of what they mean. If you think this is a car you would be willing to part-out someday, I wonder if there's ANY sentimental value.
There appears to be a lot of rust, and usually, as a car is taken apart more rust is found. Anyone who knows about Corvette rust is going to be leery of what's under the p-15 and new paint when you do decide to sell it.
Maybe you should sell it now as it is.
Difficult choice?!
Regards,
Alan

 

The windshield frame looks like toast. You nee to pull the body bolts 2 and 3 out to look at the rocker channels. You don't want ones that look like these



If you decide to go on with your project make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shots

 

I would sell the car for parts. It's gone.

 

I would get several opinions from professional body/frame people. The people that repair that for a living will know what it takes or if it can be fixed. They should probe with a pick to determine how much and how deep the rot. I know that car means alot to u and u need expert advice.

My self - from what i can see in the pix - much of that is just on surface and can be neutralized (POR15, etc.)

Good luck,
cardo0

 

Comes down to how much time, effort, and most certainly money you want to spend saving this car. That is some serious rust and that is just what you are able to see now. It's a choice you have to make with your heart and your pocket book.

 

Coming from someone who has already spent too much $ saving a '69 - no offense but its a '75 L-48 car

part it out and don't look back

 

Just to play devils advocate I bet half the C3's ( or more ) on this forum look like that when you start pulling the trim off. Put it up for sale, it's not that bad, for the right price, now you know what to look for in new one

 

I would find a local Corvette club member or Corvette Forum member to get the car on a lift and take a very close look at it. In other words, get an experienced person to see if the rust is primarily surface or just plain rusted out. It might cost you 2 or 3 cases of beer, but it will be well worth it!

 

you can call in forum member help, and you can spend a couple of days takeing it in to several body frame shops for a estimate... they will quote you at least 5 figures, or they will refuse to do the job.. you may find someone that will just poor goop and bondo on it , but that will be a arm and a leg too..

they won't tell you something you don't already know...

 

By the way, you are in for some fun. Here is one that I have done using a replacement donor cage.

http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Vacation.html

 

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like most people are saying I should just sell it but a few are saying it might be ok. Is there anybody in the Charlotte or Lake Norman area that could take a closer look?

I hate to sell it unless it absolutely requires extensive repair.

 

which pic shows the bird cage? is it the yellow pic of the rear roof panel?

 

I'm really surprised at the replies saying "it's not that bad". The birdcage is GONE, that's all there's to it. To save the car you either need a new birdcage or spend many, many hours welding a new windshield frame and rockers. I can't tell if the frame is toast. How is in front of the T-arm mounts?

No offense, but unless it has A LOT of sentimental value I'd say part it out and start over with another car.

 

Yes....