Rust areas to look for and...

Ron.G · 12-17-2004, 06:39 AM

This is for a 1980 Sc that I posted about earlier during the week. I need some guidence on where to look for rust and questions to ask the owner. I know I should probably walk from this car, but I might be able to get a better price and do alot of the work myself. The interior looks to be in good shape.

It is a silver non sunroof coupe with blue interior. It has 200K miles on it. The owner was going to sell it for around 5K because the motor was tired. He then decided to rebuild the top end and that is where I spotted the car and inquired about it (Foriegn auto repair shop).

I talked with the guy from the repair shop and checked out the motor that was stipped down for the rebuild. It has all new head studs and the cylinders were sent out to be machined. The mechanic knows these engines very well and does some really nice work.

He said the owner will probably be asking 9K for it when it is done.
Now for the rust I've found.

There is a rust hole in the door jamb on the driver side up near the top. (from previous post). There is some rust residue in between the Front valance and the sheet metal above it. would have to come apart and fixed.
There is also rust bubbles on the drivers front fender. enough to warrent a new one.
Overall the rest of the exterior looks good so far and the car has it's original paint (so they say).

What are ALL the areas I should be looking for rust on this car?
What do you think a car like this is worth based on what you know so far? I will have a PPI done if the price reflects it's condition.

200k on the trans and suspension as far as I know so far.
Gonna contact the owner today. Any key questions I should be asking?

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

Check where the battery is located. Feel around the rubber smile on the front bumper. Check the rockers and behind the rockers. Closely look at the wheel wells anywhere water splashes against the body. Inside the headlight buckets. Under the carpet in the front trunk. Door jams as you have already mentioned. These are all the locations I have found rust on my car. I am sure there are other spots to look too.

Rot 911 · 12-17-2004, 07:31 AM

Sounds like you will have a car worth about $9K that needs about $5K worth of body work and paint. You would be much better off passing on this car and just buying a sorted out SC for $10K-$13K

dickster · 12-17-2004, 08:21 AM

Ron

I posted in that other thread and have to agree with Kurt.

It is almost certain that there WILL be LOTS more rust elsewhere - that maybe you can't see now.

however, since you asked.

all of the above plus:

rear deck/seat and floor areas - from leaky rear screen seals.
windscreen frame - behind the rubber seal.

Ron.G · 12-17-2004, 09:00 AM

Thanks as always for the help. I think I'll pass on this car but I'll at least find out what the bottom line on the price will be.
I don't mind a fixer upper but I certainly don't want a nightmare rust bucket ether.

I've been that route on a couple of Ruststangs back in the good ole days.

dickster · 12-18-2004, 08:40 AM

Ron

when i bought mine there was a heck of a lot of difference in condition of cars costing within £2k of each other. ones for £10k were rusty, and moving to mine for £12k eliminated almost all of those issues.

it is worth waiting for the right one, and spend as much as you can afford.