Paul L

We often speak of the problems C3 can have with frame rust. And advise prospective buyers to check the frame very carefully. But I do not recall a compendium of pics that really bring the message home visually. It might be instructive to put together a few so that potential C3 purchasers will know exactly what to look for. The one below from about a year ago had a great impact on me....and sent me scurrying to have a very careful peek under my 1979.


[Modified by paul79, 11:13 AM 12/21/2002]


[Modified by paul79, 11:21 AM 12/21/2002]

Paul L

The pic won't come up? I'll try again later.




[Modified by paul79, 11:29 AM 12/21/2002]


[Modified by paul79, 11:45 AM 12/21/2002]

mrvette

You know, the really SAD thing about that is, the drilling of3/4 inch drain holes in appropriate spots in the frame would stop that rust from forming, allow the dirt and water to wash out, ......done in spots all over the frame...and they are kinds hard to rust out....

GENE

MikeC

Here are a couple of my pics, have more but I'm on dial up for the next couple of weeks since I'm off work. So uploading them would be a bitch!

Paul L

Ouch! That keyhole is the sidepipe mount area in front of the rear wheels?

79corvette

My whole opinion of rust damage has just changed because of those pictures. :crazy:

GrandSportC3

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

SLICKMAN

Makes me glad I spent the extra money on a low milage orginal!! :yesnod:

Paul L

I guess my point is that things can look fine and dandy on the outside with a MAACO $395.95 paint job, but do look underneath before you buy. My best advice is to contact your local Corvette Club. Those guys and gals know what to look for. And will give you advice and an inspection for just the price of respect for the Corvette as an automobile: $0.00!

MikeC

Actually the keyhole is where they chain your vehicle when it is being transported. The rear side pipe mount is the slot on the side( rather enlarged by the rust).

NHvette

You want rust ? You got rust.
I know most of you have seen my pictures of peril, but new visitors
must be warned !!

QUOTE:I guess my point is that things can look fine and dandy on the outside with a MAACO $395.95 paint job, but do look underneath before you buy.

Paul describes EXACTLY what mine was like. On the surface, it looked great.
However, I did some work to her early on and saw subtle hints underneath.
The keyword is SUBTLE. However, upon removing the body to 'fix' it, I found
what is illustrated in my '75 pictures - major rot in all four corners of the
frame and body steel.

I host my web site at home, now - 80GB limit - so I'll have more pictures
available as I find time to work on it. In the meantime, anyone that
wants to see vette rot should visit nhvette.com

Rocker channels that fall right off the body:



This rear frame corner is notorious, but the cracked kickup really scared me.



:seeya



[Modified by Daves_rusty_75, 11:46 PM 12/21/2002]

Paul L

Thanks for contributing. About 10 years ago a local young fellow in a 1968 (or so) was killed when he power-shifted and a trailing arm removed itself from the frame. The car hit a tree.

SteveR.

Wow....informative pics Dave. How common is rust like that on C3s? Can you inspect them good enough on a lift? I'm thinking about buying a C3 in a few months, & need to know how to find this stuff. Thanks!

How do you even repair frame rot like that? Seems like it would take a lot of work. It also seems like it would be easy to miss spots that were thin, but not rusted entirely through.


[Modified by SteveR., 12:04 PM 12/22/2002]

71stingray454

Hi all,

When I first started looking for a Vette in 1999, I was not as informed as I am now about Vettes in general but specifically C3's. I did not know about the usual rust spots and ended up with a Vette that had a cracked frame. The exhaust system was keeping the back end together. :eek: Here are pics of the severed frame and following those are pictures of the new frame we found once the frame-off began. These are pictures from our BB Vette restoration.









Frame rust is some serious stuff. Thanks to the Corvetteforum, I learned an incredible amount of information about C3's which is why last August, we bought another Vette...but this time, we knew more than the seller and ended getting a 71 SB that is in decent condition (needs some TLC but has a great frame) for about half of what it was worth.

Mike

Ki m Le

Here is my 69 Vert:

Kickup area: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/kim_mle/bad.jpg

Winshield Frame: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/kim_mle/topRs.jpg

theandies

:iagree:
Every time I see pictures like these I run out to the garage and get my flashlight out for fear that my frame becomes that bad over night. My "rust" can be removed with my fingernail. My trailing arm pockets and up-turns are in good shape and my windshield frame has only surface crud on it. Rust removal and preventative maintenance is on my Too-Do list but it will be very easy….Daves_rusty_75 is my barometer of rust and I am running in a very low pressure area compared to him.
John

Twin_Turbo

My god what a load of horror pics, one question though, when you guys go and look at a car, doesn't anyone ask if they can see it from underneath on a lift?? That's always the first thing I do

Marck

Paul L

In this Province (in Canada) the car would have to be saftied before licensing. And those frames would not make it past inspection. But you can opt to buy "as is" without safety. But as you note, even an astute buyer in tha latter category would put the car up on a hoist for a good look.

MikeC

Paul you'd be surprised what some mechanics will safety for a friend or for Money.

Plus not all frame rust is visible until it eats everything away( corvettes are famous from eating from the inside out. By the time you see it its too late. I knew I had a problem but didn't think it was that bad until I started poking around with a screwdriver!

Paul L

Mike,
I anticipated that type of answer. And unfortunately you are right. Money can over-rule safety at times. I really do not know what more to say...except caveat emptor.


[Modified by paul79, 7:27 PM 12/23/2002]