DO NOT buy a Vette Without Checking this FIRST
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- A rusty C3 Corvette birdcage should kill a possible purchase before you discuss the price.
And while there are exceptions to the rule based on special circumstances such as the rarity of the car, most C3s do not fall into that "special" category and you're better off simply walking away to avoid a massively expensive headache.
The easiest way to visually inspect the C3 Corvette birdcage is to remove the kick panels so you can see the overall condition.
To do that you also need to remove the door sills. Not a big or difficult job, but you need a seller that's willing to either do that for you or allow you to do it yourself.
It's not a big or difficult job, but an imperative one.
And if you're buying a C3 sight unseen, you should request photos, or even better a video showing these areas.
I said "special circumstances" because the birdcage can be repaired. However, this is a job best left to experienced professionals and, as such, it will be expensive.
How expensive you may ask... VERY expensive, and in most cases, the cost of the repair will exceed the cost of the vehicle.
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
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CONTENTS
00:05 Car Inspection
01:23 The Interior has Been Mostly Gutted
02:10 Inspecting the Driver Side Body Mount (Birdcage)
02:41 Inspecting the Passenger Side Body Mount (What's Left of It)
03:25 As Expected, the Radiator Core Support was also Rusted
03:34 What a Solid Birdcage is Supposed to Look Like
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CORVETTE PRODUCTS (sponsored)
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68-82 Corvette Manual: amzn.to/3devEEW
How to Restore Corvette: amzn.to/35B6L0R
68-82 Vette Resto Guide: amzn.to/2QvvIGQ
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on my Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
I am a self-taught DIYer. If videos appear to give technical how-to advice, that is not my intention.
Working on a vehicle can be dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a mechanic.
#corvettec3 #c3 #c3corvette #carinspection
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For all the problems that are easily visible, there are a million that are not especially on C3 Corvettes. You definitely want to do your homework before buying one. just about anything can be restored if you throw enough money at it but there are still too many good Corvettes out there to waste time on money that needs that kind of work. Great video especially for someone looking to buy a C3 Corvette and are not familiar with them. This video can save them a lot of money and heartaches down the road.
Thank you, Mark. Checking this area is very important and not really difficult to do. And even though it can be repaired, the nose has to come off so it can be repaired properly. Then it has to be reassembled, which is no small job. The radiator core support is also prone to rust but a lot easier to inspect and replace. I’ve talked with a couple of people who have, unfortunately, bought the wrong C3s and lost a lot of money in the process. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Always check the metal on a Vette & for stress cracks in the fiberglass. Get it up on a rack with a bright light & use a small pick. Most of the time, you don't even have to use the pick. Bring it down I don't need to see any more. Thanks for your time and walk out the door. I've owned a 1978 L2 and it was nice but jealous neighbors wouldn't leave it alone. The 60s & 70s Vettes are the coolest & the look perfect. Walk away from this nightmare fast.
I've had a C4 & C5. If I bought a another, I would like a C3. To be honest I never heard of the "birdcage" and to an untrained eye/buyer this yellow 74 on the outside looks pretty nice. Your definitely right that the interior being disassembled is a plus for getting a look at the birdcage but if you don't have knowledge to put it back together without being the one who took it apart, you'll be in for a lot of headaches. Thanks for the video, definitely helps/adds to my education on the C3
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
I owned a 74 Vette about 30 years ago. It was literally rusting away when I had it. I finally got sick of repairing it and sold it at an overseas auction. It went to Spain never to sprinkle rust on my garage floor ever again.
Agree. Absolutely do not buy this unless you want to spend big money to get it fixed.
Yeah, maybe if it was an LT-1 or something like that. But there are lot of good usable parts there, for the right buyer.
Glad I found this before I go and buy this abandoned ‘76 at a garage…definitely gonna have a look in there and see what it looks like.
Yeah, birdcage rust is a serious problem. Hope the one you’ll be looking at is okay. 😊👍🏻
Also check the steel around the windshield. A friend's car had that steel fabricated. It was expensive. The halo over the top of the car rusted out and the fiberglass cracked and sank. An otherwise nice car became a parts car.
Thanks for the great information. To be honest I didn’t check that area when I purchased my 76 vette last June. Even though I looked everywhere else on the car. So first thing I did was take those plates off and check and looks perfect! 😊 Thanks again!
Well, that’s good news. And of the six C3s I’ve owned over the years, I only checked that portion of the birdcage on my ‘76.
I also owned another ‘76 back in ‘82. Did not check that one, but the car was only 6 years old at the time so I’m sure it was fine. lol 😆
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
I have a 1977 corvette, with over 116000 miles on it.My car has always been in Florida, have no rust.Thanjyou for the video.
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
thankyou for making them, I watch them all.lol russ boyd.
You must keep it in a climate controlled garage
Every few years i spray oil in there on my 63 & 74 convertibles so it never ends up like that
A must when looking at a c3, very helpful for potential buyers. Thanks
Yes. If a seller does not let me check that, I walk away. I cannot deny that’s it’s a pain to remove the kick panels, but it’s worth the trouble. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Getting ready to purchase my 2nd C3... This video was very helpful. Thank you
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Unfortunately, that Vette is probably not worth restoring, due to the year and features. Thanks for another informative video!
Yep, I agree. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
A most excellent C3 video. And that ominous funeral music honoring the cancerous death of one more corvette reduced to a parts car. sigh
Lol 😆 I guess it made it that more solemn. But yes, absolutely correct, that ‘74 has been reduced to a parts car. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Very informative. Thanks for taking the time to make this video!
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
You can tell the cars that lived up North. Thats when you kinda wish the engine or trans sprung a small leak to coat the undercarriage. Even then, the salt they throw down is like acid.
That plus bad quality control, poor or a lack of drainage, materials used, and more made all these vehicles susceptible to rust. And once rust starts…
“They don’t build ‘em like they used to.” Thankfully! 😊👍🏻
Great video!! Imo, any C3 Corvette after 1973 is not worth the cost of restoration. Unless, I'm going to repeat myself, Unless it has sentimental value to the individual or it is a unique model,ie: 1975 Convertibles, big block cars, manual transmission cars. There are too many Pace Cars or 1978 Anniversary cars out there that can be had for half of the cost of a restoration.
I agree. Bodywork and a good paint job alone will cost anywhere from $10K to $20K, that’s why it’s a good idea to buy the best car you can afford. Restoration is an expensive endeavor.
Great video. I wish I knew all this before I bought my vette. Thank you for the great content and keep the videos coming.
Glad to help and Thank You for watching! 🙂👍
My radiator core support had a baseball-sized hole in the bottom. I had that replaced. Otherwise the car is nearly rust free.
I'm guessing the radiator leaked at one time and left a puddle on the support.
Radiator supports were prone to rust as water basically sat inside of the bottom section without proper drainage. Probably most of them have been replaced. The rest need replacing. Lol 😆
Very sad to see one get to that condition…
Yes. And repairs are very expensive due to the amount of work and expertise required.
The repair requires extensive disassembly in order to be done properly which equates to a hefty sum.
That's the wrong yellow for 74
75 got the vibrant yellow like that
I bought a new 74
If you looked, the real color was under sill plate
My buddy bought a new 75 4 speed with that great color
I never thought the day would come when c2 and c3 would have rust troubles.
When I bought my first corvette 55 years ago,c1 was still ok on rust
Again another great video, it's a parts car, thanks for the free info from Victoria Canada ❤️
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Thank you for the video!
Thank you!
Excellent educational video.
Thank you for the kind words and for watching! 😊👍🏻
Sadly for you, the 73 was the last of the fiberglass floor pans.
WRONG…it was 1975!
Very sad to see that Vette in that condition. Needs major work . And money.
Rust usually happens all over, so who knows what condition the windshield frame is in. I’m sure it is also damaged.
The metal support behind both seats going across what that called? Mine rusted and looking to repair but can find any parts on it
If the bulkhead behind the seats is rusted, that can be a serious issue as it is a structural part. It can be repaired professionally but, AFAIK, there are no replacement parts available, only salvage parts which are totally fine for fixing such an issue, as long as the repair is done correctly.
I would talk to a salvage yard for part availability.
The only one I am familiar with is Corvette Generation here in Florida, and this is their info.
Wally
Corvette Generation
16541 US-301, Dade City, FL
(352) 523-0900
corvettegeneration.com
I made a video of my visit to Corvette Generation: ruclips.net/video/gT9HiNqSpAE/видео.html
Depends you can get one that will never be a museum piece and just drive it. Soon you won’t find any.
Unfortunately it’s over for that 74
Hey man, I got a issue I found when I was rebuilding the front suspension of my 81. I found a crack in the front cross over brake line by where it hooks up to the rubber line going to the caliper. I can buy a new one, but then I have to remove a bunch of stuff to get it out, and put the new one in. What do you think of this idea, get a replacement cross over line, and splicing it on the old line by the bottom cross member area? Down by the bottom. I'd have to cut the metal rap back, and add a double flange with a connector between the two. That way I don't have to tear the front apart the fish the whole line out, and put a whole new one in. What you think??
This repair involves a safety system. Do it right or hire a qualified mechanic do the repair properly. Do not reengineer this.
@@76vette I think your right of course. Lucky I repair aircraft for a living, so understand what your saying. I think the best idea is start draining the radiator, and remove the lower radiator hose, radiator shield, headers, and sway bar. That should make room to remove the whole line. Might even have to remove the radiator too. I do have a good repair book and the factory assembly manual. 😀. I'll keep ya posted on the progress. I just wanted a second opinion on this and you was one of the few I picked. I hope you don't mind.
The assembly manual is a must-have book, so I’m glad to hear you have one. Not sure you’d need to remove all the parts you list, but I’ve never done the job you describe (and hope I never have to), so I cannot provide any guidance there.
Anyway, if you’re A&P certified, then you know all (and then some) about safety, and when it comes to brakes I don’t have to tell you that your life-and that of others-may depend on them, so make sure any repairs are done 100% right! 😊👍🏻
@@76vette yep, and my ol lady has claimed the car, lol. I bought it to fix and sell, but gotta keep her happy, sooo. Right now I'm looking at it, and making a list of everything I need to take off, so I can remove and replace that line. Plus I can do some other things on the rebuild list also. This vette was a candidate for the salvage yard. But with only 68,000 miles on it,( last 46,000 was rough) I couldn't let it go there. I bought it cheap, and have rebuilt alot of the drive train. Just finished up the front-end suspension. I've been told I need to start a vlog on this build, but I'm not computer smart for the editing. The car looks like hell, but all the important things are good. Good frame, birdcage, just rode hard, and parked under a tree for a few years. I'll keep ya posted on this, and ask for advice from time to time, if ya don't mind. I normally build C4 vettes, this is my first C3 build. Thanks, Gizzmo.
If I can be of help answering questions I’m happy to do so 😊👍🏻
Yes, a vlog would be nice but it’s a TON of work. Ask me how I know. Lol 😆
Glad to hear you’re saving a C3 but know these cars are never 100% done. They always need our attention. Kinda like women. haha. Keep me posted on your progress 😊👍🏻
Can you do the same on the 72?
Yes 🙂👍🏻
Wow! Thumbs down on that 74. What a shame that some of these old C3's sat and got so rusty. It would be a total rebuild of the car to fix it. Economically that would be thousands and thousands of dollars spent on a car that just not worth that much - even in nice shape. Parts car at best.
100% correct. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Who buys a new Corvette with manual windows I never understood that
That was hard to watch.
You can’t always put a price tag value on a true American classic… if the owner has enough sympathy and sentimental values for a classic Chevrolet Corvette it’ll be well worth the time and money to get that vehicle looking like it did off the genuine motors lot back in 1970s.
I agree to a certain degree, but only if a car is rare or desirable enough. On the other hand, no one who has a true sentimental attachment to their Corvette would allow the car to deteriorate to this condition.
I agree with the opinion that some people have a sentimental attachment to a Corvette and want to save it, regardless of condition. I am in that group as I am completely rebuilding a 76 rust ball of a Corvette. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I had the interior ripped out and most of the birdcage was visible. However, I have had this car sitting in storage for 27 years while I traveled around the world serving in the military. I dreamed and saved the money for this Corvette project for all those years. When I am done it will be rust free and every single bolt/part with be like new. They are not making these beautiful cars anymore and someone needs to save them.
I do appreciate your videos as they are very helpful. Keep up the great job!
Just buy a decent one and save yourself the pain !
🤘🤘🤘Hi from Spain
Greetings from North Central Florida, USA 🇺🇸
A lot of rust...a lot of work for the money...
No doubt, and sadly, not worth the investment.
Run away!
Endless money pit
poor banana vette :(
Yes 🙁
First of all get the bicycles off the car and all the crap around it
Junker!