C2 - aRe yoU Sure iT's - plastic?

[Sydney G.]

Yes, the correct answer to the puzzle is the dreaded word - RUST.
I have noticable cancer appearing on my SWC in the passenger body door jamb area and need guidance. The, and I hate to both say it and admit it, RUST, is starting to show it's very ugly face above the 2 or 3 rivets, right in and above the body seam or line, above the female door latch thingy or striker. Seeing as this beauty has spent it's entire life in the salty north never having had a well deserved vacation in Fla, it is not surprising.
What is the proper medication? How worried should I be? (birdcage?)
I also have noted paint blistering, or bubbles along the water gutter of the door area on the coupe body. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
We can't let these cars slowly disintegrate before our eyes, nor can we just paint over or turn into donors. Any past repair experience or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Join forces and fight the enemy!
Best regards and thanks to all!
Syd

[Bryan L.]

Re: C2 - aRe yoU Sure iT's - plastic?

There's good news and there's bad news. The good news is that a birdcage repair is possible. The bad news is that it is arguably the most difficult repair on a midyear. You need to find someone knowledgeable and talented to pull this off.

Hope everything turns out well.

BL

[Bill B.]

Re: C2 - aRe yoU Sure iT's - plastic?

Syd...I have a 65 coupe and about 4 years ago I had major rust on the front of the birdcage at the upper windshield and down the right windshield pillar. Ended up haveing to cut the bonding strips and "peeling" the top back to splice in a new upper front frame for the birdcage where the ruct was present. The magnitude of the job was way above my expertise level and I found a profesional fiberglas body man to do the work. It was well worth every penny I paid. Not many people in my estimation can do this degree of glass work. When I got the car back you cound never tell it was anything but original. The complete job was in the neighborhood of $4000. HOpe this helps you know what your up against. Best of luck.
Bill Bonnichsen #32446
65 Coupe.

http://www.art-5.com/

[Bill B.]

Re: C2 - aRe yoU Sure iT's - plastic?

Syd.....I just went out to the garage and checked my receipts. Fot the rust repair work on the birdcage, I paid $2450. I had other glass work done, that is why I originally said $4000. Hope this helps a bit more.
Bill Bonnichsen #32446
65Coupe

http://www.art-5.com/

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 - aRe yoU Sure iT's - plastic?

Syd,
Several years ago while my 67 was being restored, Maurice Durnan on the south shore replaced a birdcage on a midyear owned by a guy in the West Island. Gilles Masse of Corvette Expansion bought a rust free birdcage from Pipers Corvette at the swap meet in Orlando that year and brought it back to Montreal for the repair. You might want to contact Maurice and Gilles for help and/or advice. Let me know if I can do anything to help you out.

[Sydney G.]

Re: C2 - aRe yoU Sure iT's - plastic?

Thanks for the responses guys. And a special thank you to you Rick! For anyone who has not had the pleasure of seeing Rick's '67 BB coupe, let me tell you that it is very special.
I know that this subject is very touchy, even to the hardcore experienced mid-year restorer. No one likes to admit that this is a very real problem and that it seems to exist in a multitude of mid-year cars. We have all heard that they leak, and most of us including myself, have attempted to fix the problem.
Some are luckier than others (check archives). Unfortunatly, if they leak for 40 plus years the devil will have his way with the foundation of your prize. Add in road salt and ignorant past owners and you all know the result.
When replacing my windshield this past spring, I did not notice any serious rust damage to the upper bird area. I removed my glovebox today for a peak inside and only spotted a small area where rust was evident, although very minimal I hope. The problem area is in the rear door jamb midway up the body.
Rick, I will contact Maurice when the weather subsides and further investigate the problem. However you Vetterins out there, who has medicated this problem, what was involved in seperating the metal from the glass in this area, and just how involved is it? I thought that my next step was frame and chasis restoration and was looking forward to it!
Thanks again to all! You all better come on up to Canada for the Nationals! It's not Montreal but your in for a treat!!
Syd
p.s.- going to catch my breath now.