Tempting Vette project

Dean Jenkins

Dean Jenkins

Promoted Users
I'm neck deep in the el Camino project, but always on the lookout for the next one.
This caught my attention:

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I've always liked these C3's.
A car like this I would plan on top to bottom restoration and would do LS motor and modern trans and other resto mod stuff.
Could care less about his "new motor and carb." It would go on craiglist and be gone.

I've owned a few Vettes but never did any restoration on them. Totally clueless on the important things to look for.

Thoughts?
 
Slippery slope and I spend all my time working on C3's when not doing the honey do list LOL's! but I am retired.:)

Here is the best website:

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I think the biggest thing to look for is rust in frame and the birdcage (the metal frame support underneath the fiberglass that surrounds the cockpit). You would think that they are fiberglass, so no rust problems, but not so. Need to particularly check the frame at the kickups (where the rear trailing arms attach to frame), and the rest of the frame. I take a screwdriver and hit the frame everywhere underneath and look for soft spots/rust/rot. The windshield frame is a 1/16" sheet metal box section and can rust where the glass contacts the metal and can be difficult to see unless the windshield is out, so look very carefully. Also remove the interior trim kick panels and check the #2 body mounts as rust and water from above tends to collect here. While there, looking up inside the A pillar box section can help determine birdcage condition. Some open and shut doors a number of times with a white sheet on the floor and see how much rust flakes show up. If C3's are stored outside for a long period, that usually is not good unless in a dry climate. The rest is pretty much like any used car for mechanicals etc. And finally, I have never done metal cars, but the body work for fiberglass is I think a whole another animal, but most of the principals I guess are the same.

My first C3 was a 76, and we had a lot fun with it. Message me and call if you want, always happy to talk Corvettes!!
 
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Here's a couple pictures of a custom AMC Pacer. I know Dean has been itching to buy an English Wheel.

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Chris_Hamilton said:
I like the early C3's a lot, but since we are dreaming, how about a white 76, (good looking car IMO), T-Tops. a car phone and Farrah Fawcett in the passengers seat?
Click to expand...
I like the 76 as well. The one I posted is a 76 for $4500 and is a complete runner with some new parts.
If the frame isn't rusted, seems like a good deal.
I was thinking SPI dark red . . .
My buddy has a white one and it is sharp.
 
The Gremlin was cool (sorta) The Pacer IMO not so much. If they have become cool its only been in the last decade or so. They were a joke to all of us as kids in the 80's.
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
The Gremlin was cool (sorta) The Pacer IMO not so much. If they have become cool its only been in the last decade or so. They were a joke to all of us as kids in the 80's.
Click to expand...
When I was in school all the Super Bees, Roadrunners, Cudas, GTOs, Chevelles, Camaros and some hot trucks would all leave the parking lot and burn rubber as far as they could.
Gremlins, VWs, Pintos, Falcons, etc. all got laughed at.
 
'68 Coronet R/T said:
When I was in school all the Super Bees, Roadrunners, Cudas, GTOs, Chevelles, Camaros and some hot trucks would all leave the parking lot and burn rubber as far as they could.
Gremlins, VWs, Pintos, Falcons, etc. all got laughed at.
Click to expand...
Don't forget the Mavericks, with the leaf spring shackles. Where did all the Mavericks go?
 
Dean, pay a lot of attention to post 2 it’s very informative and dead on. The birdcage is the death of these cars. That particular car description read the owner had purchased floorpans. If the floorpans are rotted I would be very concerned about the birdcage. 76 was the first year for metal floors in the corvette.
Mike
 
I forgot to thank @20mercury for the VERY helpful response. So thanks!

That particular car sold, which is probably a good thing.

But I do like the 75-76 C3 vettes and will get one someday, so the info is helpful.

What is surprising is how affordable even nice ones are, relative to other classics.
 
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