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Topic: Body gaps

in Forum: C3 Body


Body gaps

Posted: 1/20/06 7:56am Message 1 of 6
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San Pedro, CA - USA
Joined: 5/26/2005
Posts: 239
Vette(s): 1971, LT-1, T-top, 4-speed (M21), Mulsanne Blue, 3.70 rear, mostly original (sidepipes). 2006, Daytona Sunset Orange Coupe.

Keeping in mind that I am a first time Vette owner, and for less than a year.............here is my dumb question:

I have noticed in pictures of other C3 bumper cars (as I have noticed on my own), that there seems to be a "sizable" gap at the top of the junction between the door and the front clip, especially when compared with the gap at the bottom.

Is this "normal"? Do the bodies just fit that badly?




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Body gaps

Posted: 1/20/06 10:11am Message 2 of 6
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Edgewood, KY - USA
Joined: 10/26/2003
Posts: 339
Vette(s): 1981, Black/Black, Engine bumped to about 400HP.Ext/int mostly stock.

Mine's an '81, so I can't say for sure about your year, but C1 - C3 vettes are well known for poor body fit.  In fact, if you restored one and went to the trouble to line everything up just perfectly, the NCRS (National Corvette Restorer's Society) at times has been known to deduct points when judging a car because no Vette ever left the factory with panels aligned that well.

Since the gap in question on your car is at the top of the hinge side of the door, I have to wonder if some of it isn't due to the door sagging over time?  If so, not too hard to rectify...




Body gaps

Posted: 1/20/06 10:16am Message 3 of 6
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
I understand that if the front radiator support has rust problems, the entire front end may sag, leaving a larger gap at the top of the door than at the bottom..

My '78 has a bigger gap at the top of the right door than the bottom, but an even gap with the left door. There are no rust issues that can be seen, so all I can attribute it to is poor factory fit.


Body gaps

Posted: 1/20/06 10:41am Message 4 of 6
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5189
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
Mine is terrible on the drivers side! I did everything I could when I had the body to rectify this to no availe. (Short of a different door.)


Body gaps

Posted: 1/20/06 12:09pm Message 5 of 6
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA
Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355
Vette(s): 1968 L-71 convertible
It's not uncommon for the gap to be larger at that point. Even something as simple as a hinge bushing can affect it. I'd start with the pin and bushing first before I attempted an adjustment.


Body gaps

Posted: 1/20/06 9:15pm Message 6 of 6
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
I agree. It's something you look for when buying a C3, knowing that the gaps won't be even. Some can be adjusted, some can't.


 
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