I'm new to the C3 world and a novice at best however we are looking at buying a 1969 survivor vs. restored and wanted to get some thoughts regarding the underbody. To me it looks like a lot of rust however the car looks amazing top side and interior for at 56 year old all original car. I appreciate your input in advance and my apologies in advance for my lack of knowledge with the C3.

 

Welcome to the fourms. It all depends on time and money. If you have both that's great. And how far do you want to get into it. Frame off or just a spruce up? Looks like you have something to work with that's good.

 

We are not looking for something needing a frame off or unsafe to drive either. No problem doing some minor work but I'm not familiar with the C3 to know if that's surface rust and things like the suspension need replaced or will be fine and it's normal. The disclosed mileage of 26k seems off based on the rust however if it sat since 1993 I suspect that's possible. For the money, I've seen some frame off cars for a similar price.

 

From the pictures its hard to tell the depth of the rust. I can see someone has installed newer shocks and brake calipers on the rear I assume they replaced all 4. That's a plus, brake lines rust easily and should be checked or repaced. I can't tell if the body and suspension bushings need replacing. Being that age they are probably do, which can all be done with a frame on but requires a fair amount of time. There are companys out there like Eastwood that Carry and specialize in rust inhibitors like what you need to cut the surface rust where you can paint it afterwards. that might be what you are looking for. I have a 77 that I have replaced all the body and suspension bushings with polyurethane bushings, there are a few people that say poly is crap but I like poly and it's easy to install on body mounts and suspension. That's a personal choice to me, so far they are working great. I think for a few hundred dollars elbow grease and time it could be spruced up again. This is only my option. Nice shop and lift, that would be a plus to use.

 

Another thought would be the trailing arms, and when were they lasted serviced. If its been awhile the bearings might be due for service if it sat for a long time, along with the front hubs. I would think they were at least checked when calipers were installed.

 

Thank you for the feedback. With some additional research this survivor sat in a garage from 1993-2016 after the original owner passed away. Supposedly with AC and heat in it however I'm suspect given the rust. I'm going to see it in person on Friday and hopefully with all the feedback I get here, I'll be tooled to ask the right things and view the areas most likely to be an issue. Just hoping it's really 26k miles and not 126k. Everything works except the clock. I appreciate all the feedback.

 

Also if you think about it take a close look at the exhaust pipes and note the condition of the soot, hopefully it's not black and wet looking like it's using oil, dry gray look and light black is ok. A easy way to check body bushings is to look at the rear one's are a good indication of the rest of them. Look behind the rear tires, you can see the car frame and the rear body mount and the condition of the rubber on that mount, If there is excessive frame rust you should be able to see that to at that body mount. Good Luck.

 

Welcome to the forum. As far as rust is concerned, there are several areas that are fairly critical. Those are the windshield frame, the frame behind the front wheels, and in front of the rear wheels. I'm not sure if the windshield frame can be checked without some major disassembly but possibly removing the exterior trim would give you a visual of the frame condition. On the other hand, the frame condition can be checked if you have it on a lift by using a hammer to determine the condition. Good luck in your pursuit of a decent C3.

 

From the pictures you shared, it looks like a typical car of its age to me. At this point I don't understand why you would be worried about mileage. Sitting is literally worse than driving. Any 50 year old car is going to need work. These cars didn't come with undercoating, just thin paint. It never lasted long. That's about how my '72 looks. 145k, not in salt. Parked in '84. You also need to remember what these cars were designed for, none of them were babied off the show room floor. It's first race was probably on the way home. And it was some guys only car. Most mileage statements are bs. And if you like it, it doesn't matter.

 

Poke the underneath to look for holes.