Hi I have a 71 coupe with a lot of rust thru around swing arm support. Need any info. about this? I have a welder,nibbler,tourches,& a good fabricator. How hard is it to pull body off? franklin3871@netzero.com

Go to myHometown web site and click on body-off project link.

That's a common spot for rust allright. Be very careful lifting the body, if you have rust there, you probably have it on your rocker channels as well. I would suggest using a pair of slings to go all the way under the body rather then those lift straps that are made for lifting from the channels. Redwingvette documented his frame off on his website. Here is a link, you might want to check it out: http://hometown.aol.com/bmclau5079/index.html

I ran across this surfing another web site. This guy has a nearly perfect rear frame assembly for $350.00. I believe it will work on your 71, it is a 73. Open the link and then scroll down to the C3 parts and you will see it if you are interested. http://home.comcast.net/~terryallenwright/hi_performance/data/4-sale.html

Well speaking of rust, I have a question...behind kick plates there is a small "box" area which is filled with rust, flakes, chips and all. Im afraid this is something that will be behind the fiberglass and windshild frame..if so is it fixable?

Ruready, that area will normally fill with that stuff if it's coming from above (windshield frame). Anything on these cars can be fixed, it gets down to how much you can do yourself and how much are you willing to pay someone else to do it. All those "birdcage" parts are available including the windshield frame components. Not a very easy job even for a good bodyman and welder. Your car would probably also be a good candidate for a complete frame off inspection. I really hate being a bearer of bad news, sorry. I sincerely hope I did not offend you and wish you only the best with whatever decision you are going to make.

Edit: I see the car is from Florida, that would explain the rust problem. That salt air in the coastal areas is brutal on cars. I remember seeing steel fire escapes on buildings in the Cocoa Beach area literally disintegrating from the rust. I think it's worse then road salt because it gets everywhere. You may want to give everything a VERY thorough inspection before spending a heap of money, but that could be a very awesome car once restored.

|UPDATED|5/15/2004 6:27:59 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Not offended at all, I like the down and dirty truth! The car was sitting at my father's house, both in garage and outside for 13 years. Just had it shipped to texas where I am for a few more months.. I have engine and trany out, have already replaced t arms, all calipers, fuel line, all bushings up front, painted all "exposed" frame parts...the only other bad area of rust was in raditor support..the only rust that was on frame was surface..at least what i could see.

Thanks,
Ron

btw - how do you even get to the windshied frame

|UPDATED|5/15/2004 6:56:42 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Depends on where and how bad it's rusted. Basically you remove the entire interior and dash cap, all wiring, insulation, everything else that's in the way like the steering column. Remove the windshield glass, cut the bad area out and weld in the new stuff. Here is a link to a fellow that did a complete resto on his 67. I know it's a little different then your 71, but the idea and procedure is about the same. scroll through the index for chapter 12, birdcage repairs. You should look at your rocker channels and body mounts to make sure you don't have a pile of rust there as well. You can sort of tell the condition of them through the kick panels and also through the little access panels forward of the rear wheels. http://www.computersupport.ca/Restoration/Corvette.htm