72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

[Patricia Brown]

One of the several damaged areas of my newly acquired '72 cowl-back body is one of the cargo tubs which is currently missing its bottom! Can I assume all the interior fiberglass on a '72, such as floor, cargo area, and firewall, is standard old-style fiberglass, not SMC?

I am determining what sort of repair technique and materials to use. I happen to have a donor cargo tub bottom off a '76: would that be SMC?

Patricia

[Joe L.]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

Patricia------

The fiberglass used for vitually all panels on a 1972 was "old style". I believe that this was still being used circe 1976.

[Patricia Brown]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

Thank you, Joe. I suspected as much but wanted to make sure.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

I'd look for another cargo tub bottom (I "assume" you mean the right side which stores the jack) and graft it into place. There are just way too many Corvette cowl-back bodies out there with this piece to donate to your effort to even think of "hand forming" this piece or attempting any other style of repair. Make this one easy on yourself.

Patrick

[Patricia Brown]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

Hi Patrick,
Actually, the tub with the missing bottom is on the driver's side. I can't imagine what went on with this poor car. The jack compartment also has a large rip, but at least still has its bottom. Yes, I will graft in the bottom portion of the tub compartment on the DS.

Can anyone tell me whether it would be stronger/better to get a scrap piece of fiberglass and glue it to the inside of the seam, then use mat and resin to fill in the outside of the seam, or should I just mat-and-resin both sides? I'm new to repair work and not sure how to approach this one.

Thanks!
Patricia

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

I'd mat and resin both sides.

The side that is damaged is the battery box. I've seen these rot out because batteries leak and eat the fiberglass. So, it's easy to imagine.

Do you have a plan for this partial car, or are you just using it for practice?

Patrick

[Patricia Brown]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

Patrick,
Yes, big plans for this car. I started out with a '75 which had a rotted frame. I bought a good frame from CA and proceeded to remove the '75 body and transfer everything to the new frame. I found out the body's birdcage was absolutely shot. The #2 body mount bolts no longer existed; there was simply a pile of rust chunks, yet the body was permanently fused to the frame. It was a mess. Meanwhile, suspension bushings were all shot.

So I started over with new frame and acquired a '76 cowl-back body from CA. I cleaned it all up, installed new suspension, etc. was about to put the body back on the frame, and then more recently developed a taste for the earlier metal-bumper cars. So, long story short, I just acquired a '72 cowl-back from America's Finest in CA. Now I will have some frame mods in the back to accommodate that new, beautiful rear end. I guess I like to make work for myself! Anyway, the '72 is pretty decent but does have some rips here and there on the floor, cargo area, etc. I have about 70 hrs into it already, scraping meticulously all the carpet glue and remnants and grease off the underside, plus scrubbing the whole thing down with soapy water. It looks a lot better, and now I can tackle those repairs.

[mike cobine]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

I hate to be the rain cloud here, but you know you are putting in a LOT more time, effort, and money than if you just went out and bought a nice one to start, don't you?

I only say that because I hate to see someone start on a project they think is cheap, begin throwing in dollars and hours, and then end up with a car that costs more one, two, or three years later than if they bought the nice one today and started driving tonight.

Of course, you are earning an education in building Corvettes you can't pay to receive any other way, but this is one of the fastest ways to burn-out there is. Search for Eddie Lamb's posts further down and see. I hope he is getting things worked out.

[Patricia Brown]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

Mike,
Yes, I am very, very well acquainted with the blood, sweat, and tears this project has/is generating. I am in it $13k already and nevermind the hours, and the body's not even on the frame yet. I am committed to finishing. I comfort myself with how much I am learning. There are many days, however, that I would very much like to not have to learn any more!

Perhaps this is anathema on this site, as I'm not a die-hard "originalist", but I have learned a great deal by modifying certain systems and installing aftermarket parts which often don't install very well. In my attempt to have this car come out professionally and not "Bubba-did-it" style, it has been a ton of work and research into just how/why things work. When it's done I will know every nut, bolt, and fastener, and I will enjoy it all the more. I found out about this website while doing some research on fiberglass types (SMC, FRP, etc.), and I discovered how wonderfully technical this site is. So far, I have not been disappointed! I thank everyone for all the help! I've been getting rather sick of other forums that do a lot of chatting and don't have much technical information.

Anyway, thanks, Mike, for the advice, but I'm already in it toooooo deep!
Patricia

[mike cobine]

Re: 72: Cargo Tub Bottom Ripped Out

Yes, you are, but then I doubt there is one person on this board who can say they were never in too deep at least once.

In the long run, the education you will have will be priceless, but it is the getting it that hurts on the way.

If somewhere along the way it becomes too much, and you get disillusioned, put it away in a barn or other cheap storage, buy a Corvette that drives, and have fun for a year. Then go back to it. Working too long on one often burns people out if they can't have some fun in the process.

[mike cobine]

Another thought

Get a friend or two to help. Often the work becomes too much on your own. This is where the local Corvette club can become priceless, by having someone who also loves them stopping in to help occasionally.

[Patricia Brown]

Re: Another thought

You know I've actually avoided joining a local Corvette/car club, because it seems like a big tease when everyone else has driveable Vettes but me! I also haven't been to a car show in ages because seeing all those perfectly-done cars just shows how far I have to go!

My progress was creaping along for a while because it all felt like one, mammoth job, but more lately I've become really excited about the new '72 body which has helped me get fired up. I'm also trying really hard to put a set amount of time on the project each day, even when it's just work. I'm starting to see some real progress now, which helps a lot! Just yesterday I stuck the tranny (6 speed Richmond) into the engine and it sure looks a lot better together!

Thanks for the encouragement!
Patricia

[mike cobine]

Re: Another thought

A lot depends on the local club. I was in one that about half were drive it, shine it, show it, and that was it.

The other half were out to drive them, enjoy them, and help their buddies enjoy them, too, even if it meant all night under one to get it running for some event the next day.

You might have to visit a couple, depending on how many are around you, to find one that the people care as much about the people as the cars.

But like the note about Lee and his exhaust manifolds, with several helpers, we pulled an engine in a very short time.

Alone, it could take me hours, not to mention the frustration of starting to pull and discovering something I'd have to crawl back underneath to get.

Help is good.

And you may find that there are a few members there along who are more than happy to share a ride to an event. A ride in a Corvette just helps with the mind for getting yours done in spite of the obstacles you run into on the way.

[Patricia Brown]

Re: Another thought

You bring up some good points. Perhaps I ought to look into a club. It sure would be nice to ride in an 'ol C3 again!

Patricia