Looking at a 75....tips!?!?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 49
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Looking at a 75....tips!?!?
Hello. I am going to take a look at a 75 coupe. It is a "project" of course, but I am just wondering what in particular to look for. I always hear about the "bird cages"....can someone elaborate on this? 
Thanks,
-Rick
Thanks,
-Rick
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: Montreal QC
Bird gage is basically the steel support structure for the body panels and gives the strength and stiffness to car with the frame. You have to check the bird gage for rust. Best places to look for that is the windshield pillars. You can see some of the bird gage from outside the car by looking to the gap between windshield and the interior pieces that are wrapped around the pillar. That is one of the places where the rust lurks... Also it's good to check the frame for rust. Check the condition of the frame on the front of the rear wheel. There shouldn't bee any rust in there either.
Oherwise it's pretty much like looking for any other used car... Check if the engine is numbers match, more important if you like to restore it totally one day or if it's L-82. You can check if it was originally a L-82 car by checking the VIN, if fifth code is T it's an L-82, if fifth code is J it is base L-48 car. If it's numbers match original L-82 convertible with 4-speed then you have something to be interested at...
Oherwise it's pretty much like looking for any other used car... Check if the engine is numbers match, more important if you like to restore it totally one day or if it's L-82. You can check if it was originally a L-82 car by checking the VIN, if fifth code is T it's an L-82, if fifth code is J it is base L-48 car. If it's numbers match original L-82 convertible with 4-speed then you have something to be interested at...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by crazydalys
I would check the floorboards for rust. My 1976 the frame is in good shape, but the driver-side floor board is pretty rusty. Wish I would've checked for that when I purchased mine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 49
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Originally Posted by gtr1999
Rick, drive over to URI and see my son. He has a 75 L-82 4 speed car that we went through last year. If the car is local maybe he'll check it out with you.
Gary
Gary
Thanks guys! Gary, the car is in Ashaway, RI. I might just talk to him!
-Rick
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: Ashaway RI
Hey Rick, is that the brown one on Maxson Hill Road? If so, it's about a mile down the road from me. Let me know when you're going to check it out. If the owner is willing, you can bring it to my garage and get it up on the ramps to check it out. I took a quick look at the car a couple months ago. Couldn't really get under it at the time so I don't know how the frame is.
Todd
Todd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 49
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Originally Posted by bertmeister
Hey Rick, is that the brown one on Maxson Hill Road? If so, it's about a mile down the road from me. Let me know when you're going to check it out. If the owner is willing, you can bring it to my garage and get it up on the ramps to check it out. I took a quick look at the car a couple months ago. Couldn't really get under it at the time so I don't know how the frame is.
Todd
Todd
Gary....are you going to Stafford this weekend?
-Rick
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Rick,
I hope to get to Stafford on Sunday but it will be a last minute thing. I'm waiting on a MIG gun liner to come in so I can get back to welding my front control arm brackets and supports.
Be sure to check the cars out good, the 75 has a better differential them the 80 but the rest of the car isn't that different. Come down to which body style you like.
Gary
I hope to get to Stafford on Sunday but it will be a last minute thing. I'm waiting on a MIG gun liner to come in so I can get back to welding my front control arm brackets and supports.
Be sure to check the cars out good, the 75 has a better differential them the 80 but the rest of the car isn't that different. Come down to which body style you like.
Gary
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Rick,
I hope to get to Stafford on Sunday but it will be a last minute thing. I'm waiting on a MIG gun liner to come in so I can get back to welding my front control arm brackets and supports.
Be sure to check the cars out good, the 75 has a better differential then the 80 but the rest of the car isn't that different. Comes down to which body style you like.
Gary
I hope to get to Stafford on Sunday but it will be a last minute thing. I'm waiting on a MIG gun liner to come in so I can get back to welding my front control arm brackets and supports.
Be sure to check the cars out good, the 75 has a better differential then the 80 but the rest of the car isn't that different. Comes down to which body style you like.
Gary
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 49
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Originally Posted by SteveG75
Rick,
Mine is finally running and available.
Mine is finally running and available.
Your car looks good! Where was the pic taken?
-Rick
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 49
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Originally Posted by SteveG75
Harbour Court (New York Yacht Club, my stepfather is a member) in Newport.
-Rick