Need some help, looking at a '74 Coupe
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Need some help, looking at a '74 Coupe
I currently own an '86 C4 Coupe and I'm looking at a '74 Coupe to add to my collection. The car I'm looking at is White and in perfect original condition with only 16k on the clock. It has been kept in a heated garage since new and the original owner is selling it. The only question I have is that there are seams in the fiberglass the entire length of both front fenders on the upper portion of the sides right about where pin stripes are applied. In addition, there is the same seam on both sides of the rear quarter panels. The seams are about 3/4" to 1" thickand are very noticeable. According to the owner, this is the way the car rolled off the assembly line. According to him, this is how GM joined the two sections of fiberglass and if there is no visible seam then the car is repainted. I have never seen an original '74 so I don't know if this is true or not. Any restored cars I have seen are all smooth with no seams whatsoever. Can someone please shed some light on this for me please? Thanks and 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,177
Likes: 3,994
From: Connecticut, USA
Those are bonding seams where the panels are glued together. They didn't show when the car was new but over time they show up as you describe. Many times when painting a car the seams will be ground out in a "V" and filled with resin and mat and sanded smooth to hide them. Some psychotic purists would rather see the seam then a nice smooth fender.
If you have the history of the car and everything checks out then make up your mind. The seams will continue to open up until they're fixed and the car is repainted. Sounds like a nice car depending on options and price. I don't see 74's moving into the collectable state in the near future so buy for what it is and enjoy.
I'm going to look at a 74 tomorrow that's been in storage for several years,asking $4,100. Much higher mileage then yours though.
If you have the history of the car and everything checks out then make up your mind. The seams will continue to open up until they're fixed and the car is repainted. Sounds like a nice car depending on options and price. I don't see 74's moving into the collectable state in the near future so buy for what it is and enjoy.
I'm going to look at a 74 tomorrow that's been in storage for several years,asking $4,100. Much higher mileage then yours though.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Originally Posted by gtr1999
Those are bonding seams where the panels are glued together. They didn't show when the car was new but over time they show up as you describe. Many times when painting a car the seams will be ground out in a "V" and filled with resin and mat and sanded smooth to hide them. Some psychotic purists would rather see the seam then a nice smooth fender.
If you have the history of the car and everything checks out then make up your mind. The seams will continue to open up until they're fixed and the car is repainted. Sounds like a nice car depending on options and price. I don't see 74's moving into the collectable state in the near future so buy for what it is and enjoy.
I'm going to look at a 74 tomorrow that's been in storage for several years,asking $4,100. Much higher mileage then yours though.
If you have the history of the car and everything checks out then make up your mind. The seams will continue to open up until they're fixed and the car is repainted. Sounds like a nice car depending on options and price. I don't see 74's moving into the collectable state in the near future so buy for what it is and enjoy.
I'm going to look at a 74 tomorrow that's been in storage for several years,asking $4,100. Much higher mileage then yours though.
