C3's probed to rust

[Nelson84]

Looking at buying a C3. Should I go for the cheaper newer C3? The early C3's are pricey. Are the earlier ones probed to rust more than the later C3? Do the later C3 ride nicer? I was thinking on getting a 1980 because the 81 is computer controlled.

 

[XFIRE82]

as you probably know, the C3's ride on a 1963 suspension, so not a big difference 63 or 82 other than shocks tires rear leaf style. They all can rust depending where they came from and were stored. One thing I remember reading to look for is take out the kick panel by the feet, easy to do , slam the door a few times and see if any rust and junk falls down from the windshield pillar. If you see some then there is a issue in the post and frame up above which is not a good thing. I see lots of Vette's now for sale in Alberta, so all kinds to choose from. My 82 has the gymkhana suspension so is abit stiffer than most but I never road in another C3 so can't really say much other than on nice road it is ok, hit any little hole and you feel it. My 58 Impala rides 10 times better !!

 

[gdh]

Later years are no more nor less susceptible than earlier years. The big cost area is fixing/replacing the bird cage if it is rusted out. No simple way to check this other than remove the plastic pieces screwed unto the tbar and windshield. Putting the car up on a houst will show a lot as there are areas of the frame more suseptible than others. If you find a car that you think is the one take it to a shop that specializes in these cars or someone who knows these cars inside out. I've seen many shiney exteriors with new interiors that are on rotten frames. A good check is putting the car up on a 2 pillar hoist, have seen frames nearly bow and no way to close the door. Replacing a frame and bird cage is a big $ cost even if you can do it yourself.

 

[taylorsk8]

Replacing a frame and bird cage is a big $ cost even if you can do it yourself.

That is for sure. I found mine was rusty during my resto. Just finished fixing and giving some rust paint. It is a lot of work and I found a lot more rust than I ever thought there was. And now I still have to figure how to get all the body parts back together.

I will say now that I have torn a c3 apart I would look a lot closer if I ever bought another one.

T