Noob c3 birdcage question

[Renzo O.]

Merry Christmas all!
I am a new member and joined because I am looking at a 69 350/350. Drove 4 hours to look at it and it has a problem where the driver door is drooping pretty good. I'm pretty sure its a bird cage issue. Would you consider this a deal breaker? Are cage issues pretty common with these 50-year-old cars or am I likely to find another one with no cage issues? Other than that, lol, the car seems to be in good shape.
About me, This would be my first Vette and my first restoration in 25 years. Restored a couple Triumph TR6s and won some regional/national/Autorama trophies with them back in the day but moved into other interests and businesses after that. Looking to restore a C3 with my 20 YO son.
Also, I have recently acquired a body shop (including a frame machine) and one of my guys I am SURE could fix the issue and any 'glass work, but I want to make sure to restore it right.
My accountant says I need to spend some money before EOY (I got like 5 days to cramm info and make a deal!) and I want to use the vehicle and experience to highlight what my shop can do and eventually put the car/pix on our website. Just need the best info to do it.
I have found some chassis information with specs and measurements, but not for the birdcage. Also, I have seen that there are SOME cage parts available but are they ALL available or do I need to start looking for used cage parts. Preferred suppliers or make parts from scratch?? Any constructive opinions/feedback or real-world experiences appreciated!!

[Tim S.]

Re: Noob c3 birdcage question

I'd stay away. I'm sure others will chime in, but you'll be starting something you are not wanting to finish. That project would be quicksand IMO.

[Leif A.]

Re: Noob c3 birdcage question

Rusted birdcage issues are the death knell for most C2-C3 restorations. Even those highly experienced in C2-C3 restorations steer clear of a car with birdcage rust issues. If the car you're currently looking at truly has birdcage rust issues, you'll be so far upside down in this car so quickly...both time and money wise. Find a better candidate.

[Tom M.]

Re: Noob c3 birdcage question

Do a google search for Corvette rusty birdcage. There are threads and pictures available that show how extensive a “repair” can be. It seems rare that rust is limited to one spot too. The process is intensive.
The birdcage projects always remind me of nice houses that owners buy then find they have a bad foundation. Empty the house, disconnect everything, lift it 10’, dig and pour a new foundation, set it on the new foundation and then fix everything that cracked during the lift.
Good solid cars are available.

[Keith B.]

Re: Noob c3 birdcage question

I would make sure it's not door hinge bushings and pins before you blame the bird cage. these doors are heavy and long. door bushings and pins are a very common ware item and only about ten dollars in parts fix.

[Peter H.]

Re: Noob c3 birdcage question

Welcome To The Group Renzo. My Vote Is With Keith. Easy Inexpensive Fix. This Could Be Just The Car For You And Your Son
Worn Hinges Will Make A Door Hang Low. Lift On The Rear Of The Door Checking For Excessive Movement.
Peter 🇨🇦

[Owen L.]

Re: Noob c3 birdcage question

Drooping to the point of not latching or just a bit so that the door lifts a fraction to engage the latch?

3rd on the door hinge pin/bushing check. Have someone lift up on the door when it's open a couple feet and have someone else or a video camera record where the movement of the door is happening. If the all of the door hinge's attachment bolts and the vertical pins in the bushings appear to have little to no movement and all of it's coming from the pillar area then you have a deal-breaker.

A birdcage weakened to the degree of affecting the door(s) would be obvious in other areas too:

• With a flashlight, look at the top and sides of the windshield frame. You can see the steel structure through the glass in the gaps of the exterior and interior moldings. The structure should appear pretty smooth with just a hint of surface powder-rusting. Severely rusted would look very crunchy, blistered, and flaky.
• Also take a look at the VIN tag and its top and bottom end (you can't see the entire tag because the interior side molding covers the rivets but you can see if rust is surrounding and affecting the tag).
• Have the owner remove the interior kick panels on each side below the dashes. You can see two of the body mount bolts as well as the vertical structure of the birdcage where it meets the chassis.
• If the car is a coupe, remove the t-tops and examine the condition of the t-top forward chrome trim, center post and rear surround. A rusted birdcage will cause these areas to blister and deform.