Hi All,

I am still looking for my first c3.  I have been learning alot from the forum and have a question. I have been looking at a car local to me and i noticed that it has perfect circles all across the front of the car between the hood and headlights.  I was told that it might be rivets popping up?

What is it, is it a big problem and can it be fixed?

Any advice for a newbie would be helpful.

Thanks

Mary

 

 

Welcome to the Shark Tank, newhomegirl!!!

The rivet "bumps" on the front surround are the results of the steel support rusting, and pushing the rivets up thru the fiberglass. This is not an easy fix . It requires removal of the support, which normally requires the removal of the front bodywork. Then the rusty parts need to be replaced.

Some folks have managed to eliminate the rivets by going with an epoxy adhesive to glue the support back in.
The steel support has a strip of fiberglass riveted to it, and then the front surround is bonded to the fiberglass strip. This is one of the elements that holds the front of the bodywork up, and is fairly important!
I would stay away from a car that needs this kind of work, unless you can afford to have it repaired properly, and the price of the car is reasonable considering the repair cost. Just my 2c

Again, welcome to the site, and enjoy it!!

But Joel ya didn't ask how old and what the rest of the car was like. (Ican't believe that) If this is a nice 68 she could probally live with it. After all its kinda common to see some of this now since these aren't "new" cars anymore.
I thought even the NCRS judges didn't remove some points off of the cars depending on the degree of rivet showing.
Course if she wants a nice black 76 then maybe ol Tux wouldn't mind haven a homegirl driven him. Maybe I could swing for that 71 vert in the tank here for sail. WooHoo...

My '69 don't have rivets showing and it's O L D & creepy.....

Were ya' looking at a '68?

Aw cmon Mick who ya kiddin, she's old but not creepy specially wit them new fangled wheels...

                  

Its a 72.  How much does something like this cost to fix.  The car will eventually need paint.  I can have someone fix it then.  Also, the underneath of the car is painted, he said used to be a show car???  Not sure i believe him.  Can the paint be hiding the rust and the rest of the problems?

Thanks again!!  I just want to make an informed purchase

mary

 

Paint can only hide so much.  If there is rust under it in any volume, the surface of the paint will be rough.  IF the paint is smooth the chances of rust are slim.

Take someone you know & trust along with you to have this checked out. If not ask the owner take the car to a reputable garage. Have it put on a lift so that it can be check out good underneath & topside.
Since you know that it will need painting you can call a few places and have them give you a few guestimates. It sounds as though you have looked over the body fairly well to have noticed the rivit marks. This will give you the information you need to help justify with the owner the cars actual worth. If you feel the need have it run by a vette body shop or a body shop that does glass work. All in all its your money your spending so the present owner should be appreciative of that if he or she is willing to provide this "showcar" with a new home.    GOOD LUCK!!!

Thanks again,

The seller says that the car was recently appraised at the local auto musuem (Volo).   Would that appraisal indicate any issues with the car?  Is there a reason he would not show it to me?

I have not asked yet, wanted some input on the bumps first.

mary

 

By all means ask to see the appraisal! Corvette appraisals are so much different than "normal" cars, because of the collectability, and the fact that originallity plays a large part in the value. Any needed repairs will effect the value. "Rare" cars, such as L-88s, LS-6s, will always command a higher price, even with some repair/condition issues. A normal, regular production 'Vette, detailed for show or not, is only worth what the market will bear at the time.
In your case, it would be a good idea to have a knowledgable Corvette person to examine the vehicle. Adams' Apple38955.3574537037