Identifying C2 front end fiberglass repairs?

[Rick #42561]

I'd be interested in any tips or tricks on how to identify C2's with front end fiberglass repairs from prior damage.

I'm also curious about a vertical line/shadow often found on the surface of the hood surround a couple of inches to the rear of the crossed flags and ahead of the doors. It runs from the crest of the fender to the beltline and is perpendicular to it.

I was under the impression the surroud was a single piece, and I can't find information to tell whether the line is evidence of a repair/clip or simply an underlying bulkhead or similar support showing through. It may be more common on the passenger side.

Thanks.

[Jack H.]

Re: Identifying C2 front end fiberglass repairs?

The front clip was originally made from discrete sub-assy components, mated in an assy 'jig' and 'glued' together using fiberglass bond with bonding strips attached to the rear side for added structural support. Noland Adams shows a GREAT exploded picture of the individual mid-year Corvette body panels in his Vol 2 restoration book (page 17). There you can see the individual panels that make up the front end.

On being able to see residual parting lines between the panels, that's actually evidence of factory original construction! The factory fought quality control problems here frequently because tiny gas bubbles trapped by the bonding operation were notorious for surfacing during and after paint creating 'blow holes' along these inter-panel lines.

Savvy exterior judges double check for 'over restoration' by carefully eyeballing the exterior of restored cars to see if they can detect evidence of the original inter-panel parting lines. They were relatively easy to detect if you looked closely at factory original car and REALLY stand out once you've stripped the paint down to raw fiberglass during restoration...

[Rob A.]

Re: Identifying C2 front end fiberglass repairs?

Rick,

The best way to check for front end damage is to check the upper and lower attaching points in the center of the grill. There are tabs which are part of the fiberglass at both points. You can spot previous front end repair almost 100% of the time here. You can go to any (C2) corvette gathering and you'll probably find less than 5% of the cars that have the grill still attached as it left the factory. The remainder will be out of line, either too high, too far back or forward, etc. where the center of the grill is attached. That's not to say that repairs can't be made to allow the grill to match the factory installation, but it's very rare. Take a close look at that area next time you have access to a couple of cars and you'll see. When I was looking for a '66 that had never been repaired in the front, I must have looked at over 100 cars and found only a couple. Granted, I wasn't at an ncrs meet, but still it shows how hard it is to find a body that hasn't had some degree of repair in the front.

[mike cobine]

Re: Identifying C2 front end fiberglass repairs?

Wayne Womble just posted this picture on another thread.

You can see the seams in the front end. If you have wrinkles or lines at other places, then it has been cut or patched or something.

From what you describe, it sounds like someone cut a front end off at the wrong place and patched a new one on.

I've been amazed at the number of people who cut at the back of the clip and patch, rather than take off the old cowl fiberglass under the windshield.

Sure it is harder, but the right way usually is if you want the results to be the best.

[Michael H.]

Re: Identifying C2 front end fiberglass repairs?

Rick,

If your seeing a vertical line just to the rear of the side fender emblem, it's quite possible it's the area of the upper fender that bonds to the outer firewall panel. The line would stop at the body side peak line, where the inner panel ends. Cars with original paint or cars that have had the existing paint for several years may show this line. My 66 has the line on both sides.

Look under the upper fender on the left side of the car and you will see the exact area that these panel bonds are. It is possible that the fender was spliced at this point but I would guess that what you are seeing is the typical shrinkage from the factory bond.

As others have mentioned, the upper fender panels were originally one long piece.

[Rick #42561]

Thanks for the insights!

On page 20 of Noland's book, there's a picture of a partially-assembled convertible minus the front-end assembly. Are its two leading outer vertical edges part of the outer firewall panels mentioned by Michael Hanson?

They seem to fit the description and location.

I appreciate all the tips. As frustrating as not finding the right car is, buying the wrong one would be considerably worse.

[John H.]

Re: Thanks for the insights!

Rick -

That photo doesn't show the upper and lower dash extension panel - see the photo on the upper left on page 23, shot just prior to installing the front clip.

[Rick #42561]

Thanks, John!

I appreciate the information and the time taken to research and post it.

-Rick