72 Body rivetes

[Joe D.]

I am looking at a 72 with 32,000 miles. There is an issue with the fiberglass, between the headlights and front bumper. There are three quarter size raised areas in the paint, The owner said they are the rivets pushing through the fiberglass. Just wanted to know if that is something I should be concerned with. Car has orininal paint and never in any accidents. I have pictures but do not know how to post them. I can emal them to anyone interested. Email me and I will send them. c3vert@hotmail.com Thanks, Joe DeLuca Member 37862

[Paul H.]

Re: 72 Body rivetes

It is very common on 68-72 Corvettes for these riveted areas to show through in the area you described. It would not concern me as it is to be expected until it is painted and corrected. It is more of an aesthetic thing that requires some work to grind them down and glass them over.

[Jim T.]

Re: 72 Body rivetes

My original owner 68 and 70 have not had this problem occur and I have stripped both of my cars down to the fiberglass for repaint. I have read that it does occur. The rivets are used to help retain the piece of steel support that runs from left to right across the area between the headlight openings and the hood opening. I have read that a cause of rivet location showing through the paint is corrision of the rivets.
Someone on the board has the information on how to correct the problem. I believe replacement of the rivets was involved.

[Alan S.]

Re: 72 Body rivets

Hi Joe,
On an original paint car I'd consider the little humps badges of honor.
I would look up under the front of the hood surround to make sure there isn't any serious rust happening on the reinforcement that those rivets are part of. You can see the majority of it looking up from under the front of the car, and can also see a lot of it looking in from in front of the hood opening. The horn, for example attaches to it.
Sounds like you're looking at a NICE 72.
Regards,
Alan

[Joe D.]

Re: 72 Body rivetes

Would this decrease the value of the car? It is the original paint. Thanks, Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Body rivetes

It would decrease the value to someone who is not particularly interested in originality. To most of us here it is, as Alan said so well, a badge of honor. If you plan to take the car to the drive-in you will hear negative comments about that and the nicks and scratches int he paint. If you take it to an NCRS meet you will draw a crowd with positive comments. It all depends on the audience you want to play to -- or if that audience matters at all.