Unibody
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
Unibody
Is the front fender considered part of the unibody. I am considering purchasing a corvette and the buyer states that the unibody had some work to it. When I questioned him on this, he stated that all that was done was the front fender was replaced and he thought this was part of the unibody. Just want to make sure I'm ok before making a decision.
Thanks
Alex
Thanks
Alex
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Spring Grove Illinois
Look VERY closely to the part of the vehicle that the fender bolts to. Is the paint color the same, are there hammer marks, indications of welding etc. Suspension parts look to show the same wear as the opposiste side? same color, amount of dirt?
Sounds to me like the fender was replaced but there may have been damage to the inner structure area. That in itself is not bad so long as it was repaired properly and you have proof including print out of the alignment specs.
LOOK VERY CLOSE!
Sounds to me like the fender was replaced but there may have been damage to the inner structure area. That in itself is not bad so long as it was repaired properly and you have proof including print out of the alignment specs.
LOOK VERY CLOSE!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
I just got a a vehicle report on that vin number. It said in the report that the car has a clear title, but... the frame was move out of alignment. It was realigned and the damage repaired. It was not a salvage or anything. The car was repaired perfectly and all as it seems. Is this something I should worry about or not. I don't want to be stuck some years down the road with a car that is worth very little. More importantly a vehicle that won't handle the same way. How can I check that the vehicle is in alignment?
Thanks
Alex
Ps I like the car alot but don't want any surprises.
Thanks
Alex
Ps I like the car alot but don't want any surprises.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,671
Likes: 4,621
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Corvettes have a frame built with hydroformed steel tubing with single piece side rails. The SMC (sheet molded composite) body panels are bolted to the frame structure.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c5/frame.html
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c5/frame.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
The obvious answer is to take it to an alignment shop and have them do a very detailed check of the alignment and suspension. If the seller isn't willing to let you do this, it would throw up a red flag for me.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 28
From: San Dimas Ca.
If it shows up in Carfax or whatever as having been repaired it's going to cost you money down the road. Accidents happen I know but there are enough Corvettes out there that I wouldn't consider one with a damage history. If your getting a 3-4k$ discount then it might be worthwhile, just not to me. Your going to give it back when you sell it. 
Rick
Rick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Need more details to be able to tell you if that's a good price, They made the car for 8 years (what year are you talking about)? Verts sell for more than coupe's and then there is condition and mileage to be factored in.
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Michael S. Palmer
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Spring Grove Illinois
The only person that could tell you that it was repaired "perfectly" was an experienced body / mechanical person AFTER a complete diagnostic check. This would include putting the car on a electronic body/frame/suspension machine (ie Chief / Car-O-Liner) and measuring the vehicle control points. Printouts of the specs should be provided. Next would be an electronic 4 wheel alignment again with printed spec's.
There are ten's of thousands if not millions of cars repaired each year. I can tell you from experience that only a very small fraction of those cars are ever truly inspected to confirm a quality repair was performed.
Now, that being said, if these steps were taken and it checks out good then no reason not to buy it. Of course you would expect to pay less than for a vehicle that had never had damage.
Just my opinion, I have been in the bodyshop / mechanical business 40 years.
There are ten's of thousands if not millions of cars repaired each year. I can tell you from experience that only a very small fraction of those cars are ever truly inspected to confirm a quality repair was performed.
Now, that being said, if these steps were taken and it checks out good then no reason not to buy it. Of course you would expect to pay less than for a vehicle that had never had damage.
Just my opinion, I have been in the bodyshop / mechanical business 40 years.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Frame (unibody ) repairs can be done well, but remember that they are not the same as when they came from the factory. One degree of frame change can cause abnormal tire wear, sprung weight differences, inability to perform alignments, body part alignments etc. If it was hit hard enough to bend the frame what else was badly jolted or damaged that has not surfaced yet?
