grs1982

Hi, I'm a new guy and I want to know if all the birdcages rust even in cars that spent all there life in a dry climate (az,nm,nv,s ca)? Can someone give me an answer about this I want to buy a C3, but I am sort of gunshy after all that I have read about this on the forum. Any help is welcome. Thank in advance grs1982

brdd

I was told my 72 spent most of its life in New Mexico. The birdcage had only surface rust and a couple of very small areas of corrosion. The frame was very good with only surface rust.

But that's only one car.....

rcread

My '71 convertible has spent most of its life in Washington and Oregon and doesn't have any rust. It's garaged and rarely is driven in rain. That's two cars.

rabiddawg

whats a birdcage?
no really

Q's 68

I'll go out on a limb and say if they're stored right (and with a little luck) the birdcage will stay factory fresh! My 68 spent it's last 20 or so years in Michigan and the birdcage shows no sign of rust or any type of corrosion. The factory primer is still in mint condition

Tom73

Stole this from another thread:



And here is some detail:

MakoShark72

Thanks for asking!!!! Have been wondering that myself!! Now we know!


Noo-B

Merry Christmas!

Mikes*Corvettes

Can new birdcages still be bought?

Bangkok Dean

I have never heard of a new one being on the market. But if you ever want to change a complete bird cage you are looking at a major job.

Mikes*Corvettes

Thanks Dean just wondered

vetteman_lt1

I have a 69 convertible that I am restoring, after lifting the body of the frame and stripping the interior out of the car it was VERY apparent that the birdcage had rusted beyond economical repair. I was lucky.. the local Corvette guru near me had a full birdcage pulled from a wrecked car and replaced the cage.
Yes its a B-I-G job... I am not aware of anyone or company that sell complete birdcages..

Easy Mike

No. You're trying to find "new" parts which are nearly 40 years old. Reproduction replacement parts are available. Corvette Central has a pretty good list.

1Z87L8

imagine the killing a guy could make if he could replicate this item
to perfection

BigE

Good grief... imagine the work to replace the entire birdcage. Just getting the body off is enough fun...

Tall Boy

I would have never checked my birdcage on my 80 for rust, but the reading on here chamged my mind and sure enough there was Rust free frame but a little rust on the birdcage.

72 LT1

Tall boy, how did you inspect birdcage? Look thru front speaker holes? Remove kick panels?

cosmicvette

Although a car in a dry climate won't rust as much, I think the main issue is if the car has been in a garage most of it's life.

After pulling all the trim on my '70 I can see why birdcages rust, the way they are designed is that if any water gets in it just gets trapped (especially around the windscreen frame). Luckily my car had been in a garage most of its life so there was only a slight amount of surface rust with most of the factory paint still on.

To check just pull off all the interior trim (can be time consuming, but worth the peace of mind)

69FASTFUN

I am curios did all of the cars that showed little to no rust have the original windshield, I think the main reason for the rust is that the seal around the windshield get old and cracks and water from even car washes gets in there and starts the rust.
My 69 spent 2 years in Main and then the rest of its life in the southwest, Arizona and south Texas and had no rust.

Q's 68

My windshield has never been replaced and the seals are still in excellent condition so I'd have to agree that it really must depend on how they're stored and when they're driven.

Black 80

Its been a while since I been on here but I would recomend that anytime you buy a vette to pull the speaker covers and the inspection plate at the rear wheels...Trust me when I say this it is an exspensive issue if its gone.

I will post pics of mine.