C3 Bodywork Question

[Peter B.]

Hey Guys,

Please excuse my ignorance.

I have a 71 convertible and am considering painting soon but want to do some work on the car myself. One problem I have is that the fiberglass front spoiler (the pretty small on that is under the front of the car) is 1/2 off. I bought the car that way. With half of it missing, is there any way to repair (replace) just that spoiler without having to replace the whole underside fiberglass piece from fender to fender? I also do not want to be sloppy so just slapping a ton of fiberglass is not really an option for me.

Any ideas?

[Michael L.]

Re: C3 Bodywork Question

Peter, look at Corvette Central online catalog. They show a stock '68-'72 spoiler and mounting kit. Take a look at that.Good luck with the car!

[Michael B.]

Re: C3 Bodywork Question

I believe he is referring to the lip on the Lower Valance Panel that the spoiler extension bolts to.

While you could lay-up a section of fiberglass on the bench, then glass it in, then lay on your back and sand and drill and clean and prep and....

I think it would be much easier and quicker just to replace the entire lower valance panel. They are about $170 and if you are careful you should be able to keep the old bonding strips on each side. I know it's tempting to try to keep the job small but in this case replacing the entire valance only requires removing the old one from the bonding strips and using about 10" of bonding adhesive on each side to reset the new one. Then just a little seam finishing and paint. It will look better from the inside and out.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 Bodywork Question

Believing as Mike Brown does, that you are referring to the lower front valance, I also agree with Mike Brown's recommended repair.

The ususal rule of thumb is: If all the pieces are hanging there, with only small pieces missing, you can do a resin and mat repair to tie them back together, fill in the small gaps, etc. If larger pieces of the panel are missing, where you will have to form up the contour and details like the spoiler flange, forget about it.

You are far better off to just replace the panel as Mike recommends. If you want to duplicate a panel contour with resin and mat, you are going to be very frustrated unless you know what you're doing...life's too short when repro panels are available for the having.