Seam Reveal Lines

[Joe C.]

Today, I had a very heated debate concerning the visibility of original Corvette seam lines in cars cobbled of press molded composite chopped fiberglass reinforced polyester resin, and not SMC.

The particular issue concerned how long a hypothetical car sat in dealer inventory, before it was sold. Assume that the car in question was assembled midweek, first shift, during a non-disruptive, non work-slowdown period, and seam reveals were done relatively well, immediately after AM coffee break. How long would the car have to sit in dealer inventory for the body putty to shrink sufficiently in order to delineate the body panel joint seams so that the condition would qualify as being present "as new and as delivered?"

[Bill W.]

Re: Seam Reveal Lines

You could see the seams on the 60s & 70s cars when they rolled off the delivery truck. The paint was so dull and full of orange peel most buyers didnt complain about the seams . The biggest complaint we got at the dealer I worked at was thin paint and no paint on the lower body . Bad seams poor fit and wavy panels were all part of a new Corvette.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Seam Reveal Lines

Probably by the time it came out of the oven.

[Alan S.]

Re: Seam Reveal Lines

Hi All,
I remember being able to see some body seams when I picked up my 71. It had been built in mid-January and I bought it on March 23rd.. It had little paint on it and VERY little below a line about 1 foot off the ground. The seams were especially noticeable right in front of, and right behind he doors and also on the rear tail light panel.
Notice the rather sharp 'jog' the tail light panel makes near the quarter panel... that must be a difficult joint to hide.
I loved the car and still do.
Regards,
Alan