How long is to long?

[Walter F.]

There have been several Corvettes where I live in New York State that i have seen sit outside for close to 25 years. There cars have been either uncovered or covered with plastic tarps. Three come to mind. One which still sits out side on the home owners lawn uncovered is a 69 coupe.The red paint has bleed through the prime in most spots. The other a mid 70s C3 and and early C4. The mid 70s C3 and early C4 were under plastic tarps in a driveway for about 20 years each and with in the past year both were sold since they are now gone. The 68 still sits outside on the lawn. My question is just how long should one wait before buying a Corvette that has been left to the elements untouched. Is it wise to buy one of these cars if the price is right?

[John M.]

Re: How long is to long?

I bought a 67 convertible that had been sitting outside for 24 years. The car had very minimal rust, a very nice frame and a great price. Don't give up until you check it out. It's the car in the picture.

[Gary R.]

Re: How long is to long?

If the car sat outside on grass in 4 season for 20 years chances are rust set in pretty good. Not only the areas you see are a problem but those that you don't. I was shipped in a trailing arm from a C3 that sat outside a number of years with low mileage. The bearing cone & race were rust seized and a deep step developed in the race. One trip around the block and the owner knew there was a problem. I can't count the number of steering boxes I opened up from cars sitting outside and found the gears pitted and wrecked. A mid 70's and C4 vette would not be worth the time and money to rebuild in that situation, most are parted out.

[John M.]

Re: How long is to long?

Hi Gary, The trailing arms and bearings were shot but partly for other reasons. I redid those myself. The frame and bird cage were all good as was the transmission and rear end which I only flushed out and refilled. Mind you, I had the frame dipped and I blasted and painted every undercar component. Also flushed and refilled steering box, but all of that cost me very little. The paint and new interior on the other hand was not cheap. For me it was like a barn find. Everything was there and I paid next to nothing for it.
John

[Patrick N.]

Re: How long is to long?

FWIW, my 68 was garaged for 20+ years, and surface rust was on every part. Frame was solid in all the critical areas but all the brackets and seat supports under the frame were shot. Every part needed attention and sorting. Interior parts were also shot- metal inside the heater was rotten. To add to rust, my car was a hotel for mice. To second Gary's comment, my trailing arms were bulged with rust and a complete write-off, drive shaft was pitted badly...

That said, I still went forward with the car at a reasonable price and put a ton of my time into the car and sent out other stuff that was beyond my capabilities. I'm happy with the transformation and glad I took the journey