67 engine surround opinions on this? HELP

[Ara G.]

I am considering taking a trip to look at a 67 coupe. It allegedly is a no hit body (I know I know, they ALL say their car is a no hit) but in a picture I noticed that the engine surround looks like it had broken free from the inner fender well. Also, it looks like a 7 inch piece or so of the engine surround bottom lip has broken off. If the car was bumped/hit, I wouldn't expect the lip of the engine surround to have broken completely off. My speculation is that it was broken off from the engine bay side, and not a hit from the outside. I sure would appreciate any thoughts or opinions as it would save me a costly flight out there to see it. Thanks as always in advance for any thoughts/opinions/advice....Happy Thanskgiving to all of ya. ARA

http://picasaweb.google.com/1967CorvetteManiac/Pictures#5408594011957132498

[Michael G.]

Re: 67 engine surround opinions on this? HELP

Ara....opinions.....yes we have some!

With what I'm seeing, hard to tell for sure. The consistancy isn't what I'm accustom to seeing regarding the bond between the inner fender and surround. Many possibilities exsist and maybe it's as simple as the inner lip was bumped. Many times the left and right side inner surround are both some what different in continuity and conistancy. Have a image of the right side? How does it compare? Don't know with what I'm seeing would prohit me from taking a look at the car. Images, at best, are one dimentional and many times misleading. The eye will always tell you more provided one knows what they are looking at and for. My two cents.....well maybe 25 cents.

[Mike M.]

Re: 67 engine surround opinions on this? HELP

the top surround/left inner skit bond area appears to be a factory bond job.mike

[Ara G.]

Re: 67 engine surround opinions on this? HELP

Mike and Michael, thanks for the replies. The seller has owned the car for 15 years. The prior owner is a good friends of his who owned it for over 30 years. He is assuring me it's a no hit body. It's just really odd the have that lip broken off. It is not causing me to not go look at it, I just wanted some opinions from any of you who have more experience than I to throw me your input. Super appreciate the replies. Any others are welcome and would be appreciated. Regards. ARA

[Rich P.]

Re: 67 engine surround opinions on this? HELP

I agree with Mike dr surround to skirt joint is original also the inner skirt from what can be seen has the correct texture and glue ooze. Radiator has been recored incorrectly. If you could post more shots of the body That would be helpfull.

Rich

[Ara G.]

Re: 67 engine surround opinions on this? HELP

Thanks, do you guys think that repairing the surround is a difficult job for a very qualified vette/body/paint guy? (Not me, I know one though). The car is very original, except for the radiator, valve covers, finish on the booster and other small items. It will bother me that the lip is gone I think. Thanks again. ARA