C3 - Front Surround Rivet Pop

[Michael M.]

I own what I believe to be a legitimate Star / Bow Tie candidate '72. I plan to take it through the judging process beginning next year. I believe I understand the "don't do anything" to the car approach other that routine preventative maintenance.

However, I noticed for the first time this weekend that I have the beginnings of 1 rivet "pop" on the front surround. Is there anything that can / should be done to prevent further deterioration of the area. Part of the motto of the NCRS is the 'preservation' of Corvettes - so what, if anything - can be done to preserve the front end of this original Corvette ????

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Tracy C.]

Re: C3 - Front Surround Rivet Pop

Don't believe there is anything you can do to help the situation short of the repair methods discussed down in a previous thread. This a common problem and shouldn't be a factor in Bowtie judging/scoring.

It's one of those things one would "expect" to see on an original car.

tc

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 - Front Surround Rivet Pop

I agree with you, Tracyman...If it was mine, and I seriously contemplated Bowtie, I would do NOTHING but fret. The spirit of Bowtie is about original, unmolested, untampered cars...anything that can be done to fix the "rivet pop" violates that principle and will hurt you in judging. Playing the percentages game in BT judging is probably a bad plan.

[Jack H.]

Agree!

Remember in Bowtie judging condition isn't a judged item; only originality counts. Therefore, wear/tear deterioration will be overlooked, but changes to the car that weren't done by the factory count against the car...

[Michael M.]

Re: C3 - Front Surround Rivet Pop

I'm NOT talking about restoring or changing the car at all ... I'm just wondering about ways to reduce the RATE of corrosion ... temp / humidity / eddy currents / ANYTHING ... I'm thinking short term about the judging process, but also long term - 10-15 years from now - about what, if anything, can be done to preserve its current condition - to slow this corrosion process down ????

[John H.]

Re: C3 - Front Surround Rivet Pop

Mike -

The process has already begun, and there really isn't anything you can do that will slow it down or stop it; as long as it's encapsulated where it is, it will continue to progress.