Leaks
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Leaks
Hello all. First post, first possible vette.
I am looking at a 77 that a local dealership took in as a trade in. Car seems to be in very good shape mechanically and structurally, appears to be well taken care of. Everything is original except the paint, was repainted a few years ago. Been negotiating with them for a few weeks for about 2 weeks and they are now asking $9200 and I am at the point I don't think they will do any better.
My concern is, I went by the lot after a heavy bout of thunderstorms and found a significant amount of water in the floorboards (2" maybe). Obviously the car was garage kept or the inside would be ruined. My question is how much of a concern is it to have that much water been in there recently? It will be garage kept if i buy it and I don't mind replacing the seals on the tops but do you think the inside carpet, pad or seats would be ruined from a good soaking? Anything else I should look for here?
Thanks
Joe
I am looking at a 77 that a local dealership took in as a trade in. Car seems to be in very good shape mechanically and structurally, appears to be well taken care of. Everything is original except the paint, was repainted a few years ago. Been negotiating with them for a few weeks for about 2 weeks and they are now asking $9200 and I am at the point I don't think they will do any better.
My concern is, I went by the lot after a heavy bout of thunderstorms and found a significant amount of water in the floorboards (2" maybe). Obviously the car was garage kept or the inside would be ruined. My question is how much of a concern is it to have that much water been in there recently? It will be garage kept if i buy it and I don't mind replacing the seals on the tops but do you think the inside carpet, pad or seats would be ruined from a good soaking? Anything else I should look for here?
Thanks
Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Hello all. First post, first possible vette.
I am looking at a 77 that a local dealership took in as a trade in. Car seems to be in very good shape mechanically and structurally, appears to be well taken care of. Everything is original except the paint, was repainted a few years ago. Been negotiating with them for a few weeks for about 2 weeks and they are now asking $9200 and I am at the point I don't think they will do any better.
My concern is, I went by the lot after a heavy bout of thunderstorms and found a significant amount of water in the floorboards (2" maybe). Obviously the car was garage kept or the inside would be ruined. My question is how much of a concern is it to have that much water been in there recently? It will be garage kept if i buy it and I don't mind replacing the seals on the tops but do you think the inside carpet, pad or seats would be ruined from a good soaking? Anything else I should look for here?
Thanks
Joe
I am looking at a 77 that a local dealership took in as a trade in. Car seems to be in very good shape mechanically and structurally, appears to be well taken care of. Everything is original except the paint, was repainted a few years ago. Been negotiating with them for a few weeks for about 2 weeks and they are now asking $9200 and I am at the point I don't think they will do any better.
My concern is, I went by the lot after a heavy bout of thunderstorms and found a significant amount of water in the floorboards (2" maybe). Obviously the car was garage kept or the inside would be ruined. My question is how much of a concern is it to have that much water been in there recently? It will be garage kept if i buy it and I don't mind replacing the seals on the tops but do you think the inside carpet, pad or seats would be ruined from a good soaking? Anything else I should look for here?
Thanks
Joe
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Hello all. First post, first possible vette.
I am looking at a 77 that a local dealership took in as a trade in. Car seems to be in very good shape mechanically and structurally, appears to be well taken care of. Everything is original except the paint, was repainted a few years ago. Been negotiating with them for a few weeks for about 2 weeks and they are now asking $9200 and I am at the point I don't think they will do any better.
My concern is, I went by the lot after a heavy bout of thunderstorms and found a significant amount of water in the floorboards (2" maybe). Obviously the car was garage kept or the inside would be ruined. My question is how much of a concern is it to have that much water been in there recently? It will be garage kept if i buy it and I don't mind replacing the seals on the tops but do you think the inside carpet, pad or seats would be ruined from a good soaking? Anything else I should look for here?
Thanks
Joe
I am looking at a 77 that a local dealership took in as a trade in. Car seems to be in very good shape mechanically and structurally, appears to be well taken care of. Everything is original except the paint, was repainted a few years ago. Been negotiating with them for a few weeks for about 2 weeks and they are now asking $9200 and I am at the point I don't think they will do any better.
My concern is, I went by the lot after a heavy bout of thunderstorms and found a significant amount of water in the floorboards (2" maybe). Obviously the car was garage kept or the inside would be ruined. My question is how much of a concern is it to have that much water been in there recently? It will be garage kept if i buy it and I don't mind replacing the seals on the tops but do you think the inside carpet, pad or seats would be ruined from a good soaking? Anything else I should look for here?
Thanks
Joe
Also the seat tracks, make sure they move.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies.
The seat belt re-tractors are froze up already. The seats themselves seem to move ok. The water leaking seems to be coming down the sides, so the tops of the seats, dash and console aren't wet, not sure if this helps with where it may be leaking.
My corvette buddy told me to check out the battery compartment behind the drivers seat, he seems to think that would be the first place damage would show up from the water if it was bad.
Guess my question now is, is this a deal breaker on this car for most of you? Or is this just one of the things you expect when buying something in the $8000-$10000 range?
The seat belt re-tractors are froze up already. The seats themselves seem to move ok. The water leaking seems to be coming down the sides, so the tops of the seats, dash and console aren't wet, not sure if this helps with where it may be leaking.
My corvette buddy told me to check out the battery compartment behind the drivers seat, he seems to think that would be the first place damage would show up from the water if it was bad.
Guess my question now is, is this a deal breaker on this car for most of you? Or is this just one of the things you expect when buying something in the $8000-$10000 range?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
My guess would be the water is due to a rotted windshield frame. Water comes in behind top molding then goes inside the frame and runs down the pillars into the kick panel areas and out on the floor.
Check the screws attaching the plastic upper windshield molding , pull them out , if the screws are rusty , RUN !
Check the screws attaching the plastic upper windshield molding , pull them out , if the screws are rusty , RUN !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Any rot in the windshield frame can turn into big $$ to fix. I just had the header on mine replaced. The windshield frame was in pretty good shape compared to many I've seen. Rust confined to the header and some in the top corners. Pillars and lowers were fine. Still cost me around $2500 by the time it was finished, new glass, A LOT OF LABOR, small parts, etc. I removed most of the interior prior to the job, saved a bit of labor cost.
This figure was also given to me by Willcox as a base estimate for a windshield frame repair. (Job was done by a local shop) Point is unless you're sure the windshield frame is rust free you'd need to factor in the possibility of needing this repair along with the asking price. Is the total price within reason?
This figure was also given to me by Willcox as a base estimate for a windshield frame repair. (Job was done by a local shop) Point is unless you're sure the windshield frame is rust free you'd need to factor in the possibility of needing this repair along with the asking price. Is the total price within reason?
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 330
From: Indy Indiana
do not spend 9200$ on a car that gets wet when it rains. there are many many 77's out there for 9200$ that don't leak...
do not buy that car. or at best, negotiate another 3000$ off.
I am serious.. leaking water, means rust. and don't think it just started leaking, I am sure it has been doing it for decades.
do not buy that car. or at best, negotiate another 3000$ off.
I am serious.. leaking water, means rust. and don't think it just started leaking, I am sure it has been doing it for decades.
Last edited by joewill; Nov 17, 2010 at 09:39 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
do not spend 9200$ on a car that gets wet when it rains. there are many many 77's out there for 9200$ that don't leak...
do not buy that car. or at best, negotiate another 3000$ off.
I am serious.. leaking water, means rust. and don't think it just started leaking, I am sure it has been doing it for decades.
do not buy that car. or at best, negotiate another 3000$ off.
I am serious.. leaking water, means rust. and don't think it just started leaking, I am sure it has been doing it for decades.
If you take off the kick panels, I bet you will see the mounts are toast.
For $9k you can buy a bumper car that leaks! That dealer will find some guy that will buy the car for 9,200 based soley on how it looks - don't be that guy!
77 was the third highest production year - there were nearly 50k made. So, $9k really is top dolloar for a 77. If you have $9k to spend, give it some time, and look around, and you will be able to find a car that is in excellent shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
