Things that I go over in this video is are;
1. What is a "Birdcage"?
2. Key areas of the frame.
3. Location of body mounts.
4. Areas that are specific to the C3 Corvette.
Thank you for watching my channel! Your support helping this channel grow! If you enjoyed this video, please, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE! You can also follow me on Instagram! Just click the link!
/ tcbgarage1974
This is a great video! I can't wait to show it to my dad! He's looking for a c3.
That's great! Good luck to your dad. Thanks for watching.
Good video, nice to see what a C3 in good shape looks like and important places to look when inspecting one for purchase
Awesome vid, very helpful. Keeping an eye out for a late 70's Vette and now I can make a good list on things to check before purchase. I knew a few things but think your vid was the most in depth. More vids on this Vette you got. Got yourself a subscriber.
Thank you very much joey! I'm really happy you found my video helpful and I'll definitely have more videos on the vette. Good luck on your search! 👍🏽
Great info. I was aware of half the information such as the key rust spots, but you provided a good amount of helpful info. Thank you.
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching and welcome to the channel. 👍
Thanks for the tips. I'm looking for one now. Doing as much research as possible.
Thank you, we are all hunting information for the cars we love. Very insightful and helpful.
You very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!👍
That's a beautiful example of a C3! Love the Black on Black combo. Thanks for the info.
Thank you Michael. Thanks for watching!
That black on black is sweet
Thanks for sharing very helpful!! I've always liked Corvettes and look at them in the classic car section..you never know I may get one too!!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Hopefully it helps if you ever decide to get one.👍
Hey thanks mate I'm in Australia and thinking of buying my 1st 74 Corvette . your video helps me out heaps I wouldn't have thought to look into those areas that you pointed out . well done 👍
That's awesome! It's cool to think my video has reached Australia. Good luck on your search and thanks for watching. 👍
I'm looking at a C3, this video came up in my search and HOLY COW am I glad it did! Thank you so much for the camera angles and footage!!!
That's great, I'm glad you found it useful! Good luck on your search.
Dude, that was helpful info. Thank you
Thank you! Welcome to the channel.
Nice car! I grew up with these my brother had a brand new 76 with red leather and a 4 spd. Great tips thanks new sub!😊
I’ve owned vetted all my life. It’s a beautiful car. Thank you for the information. Take care
Thank you and thanks for watching.
Thanks for all your tips , you really explained everything in detail and it’s going to help on my hunt
You're very welcome. Good luck on your search.👍
Excellent review of what to look for. Great job.
Thank you very much!
Great video! I imported a 1969 L68 4 speed a few years back, to here in Australia. Your video was very good highlighting all the critical areas to inspect before buying. Unfortunately for me, I had to rely on a 3rd party to do the pre-purchase inspection for me...all good though, they had the car up on a hoist and took around 200 photos for me to 'view' the car, and from those decide if I wanted to buy. 6 months later it arrived in my driveway. Love it! Only surface rust found so far, but I will re-visit the critical areas you have shown us, with a more critical eye. Many thanks!
Thanks Bruce! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and that it will help you further inspect your 69. Welcome to the vette family. 👍
Great starting point for a C3 buyer. Really good and accurate information for the major mechanical components to look for. Thanks for taking the time to do a great job on this video.e
Thank you very much Donald! That's exactly why I made this video. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching. 👍
One problem is a repaint job of such a fibre glass body, in Germany there are only 4 companies able to paint GFK material in HQ, mainly they do this for Yachts and glider planes, those high end paintshops take 400-500 Euros per hour wage these days and that easily adds up to a 40.000 Euro invoice for full HW repaint of a Corvette!
Good information I’ve owned corvettes for a long time currently have a 68 roadster and restoring a74 coupe keep it up
Thank you! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the video. Have my 76 corvette stingray since 2013. It runs but I still need a few things fixed on it. bearings I think the last owner told me needed to be changed. I will do what you just did. Thanks again. I definitely subscribed. looking forward to new C3 videos from you. thanks brother. Appreciate it from New York....
That's awesome louie! I'm glad My video will help you. Good luck on the 76 & save the wave brother!
I just wanted to say thanks for your video. Im on my way to a seller now and your video really helped me!
That's awesome Oscar! I'm glad my video helped. Good luck on your purchase! 😊
Thanka for this man great info!
Thanks Aaron! glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the sub hope you enjoy the channel.
This is the most informative C3 video I have ever seen......this coming from a man who has owned a dozen or so, sure wish KZhead was around in 1977. Many hard lessons learned! Again, kudos to you for an excellent video on our beloved C3's
Thank you.
Gotta be a elvis fan Great vid TCB BABY👍👍
Great advice and detailed information!
Thanks and thanks for watching!
Thank you, great video - looking at one here in Australia.
Thanks Mick! Hope My video helps you find a good c3 & good luck. Thanks for watching. 👍
Thank you for doing this video. I own a 74 also. I rebuilt the whole car from the ground up. Mine was like yours, you could eat off the frame. It is super clean for the year. Thank you for putting this one up. I know a lot of people looking at vets. will enjoy this one.,
Thank you very much, Glad you enjoyed the video.
Great video! I just bought a 76 C3 and was happy to see no rust other than minor spots with surface rust and I have one leaking brake caliper
It sounds like you're off to a good start. Good luck on the project & thanks for watching.
Thank you for your time sir…great info.
You're welcome thanks for watching.
Great job T.C.B!!💯✅👍
Thank you very much and thanks for watching. 👍
I got a 82 vet from my brother in law and he got it like 15 years ago and wanted years later to do rugs and fix some dash lights and that's were it died it sat for 8 years I tried for so long to get him to bring it down to my house to get it done and back up running but it sat then he want it out so I got it cheap but it's got some problems now that I got to deal with but it was a running car when he parked it so it's not crazy bad but I got more then I thought to do but it be a great weekend car it's in great shape but needs love to be back to were it should be. Shame it sat for so long but I'll get it done lol ty for your vid
Very informative. Thank you!
You are very welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍
I also have a 1977 C3 white, red leather int. Love the car after just getting it last October. Lucky to have found it.
That's awesome! Glad you found a good one.
Exellent, thanks for sharing !!!
You are very welcome, thanks for watching!
Great informative video here. Looking at an ‘82 which will be my first corvette purchase. Kind of scary the things that can be wrong with the C3’s. Might even reconsider the purchase after watching this video. Thank you for sharing this pertinent information with regards to this car.
Please don't let my video discourage you on purchasing a c3. If you're looking to get into classic car hobby they're truly the best value out there. Thank you for watching and good luck on your search for a c3 if you're still looking.👍
Good descriptions and explanantions, well done video. thank you
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching.
@Capt. Dfl sounds like a fun 79. C3'S are definitely a labor of love and never truly finished. Good luck with the build. 👍
I'm going next week to look at a 78 pace car. This was super helpful. Thanks so much!
How did it go
great video. helped me pick a clean 76 orange.. no rusty bird cages guys.. lol
Great video! I also got a 74 a few years ago, it had a bit of rust but not bad...... It's getting more difficult to find these cars "rust free" at a decent price, a very fun car that gets a lotta looks! :)
I totally agree! I always wanted a 74 (Same years as my birth) they are definitely attention getters! Thanks for watching. 👍
Great Video. I got really lucky when I purchased my 77 C3, had no clue what to look for and I was so scared when I saw videos like this one. But I checked everything and frame and birdcage are in good condition. Calipers were leaking though, but that's an easy and cheap fix. Got the o ring seals and pistons and now there's no leaks since 2015
Max music that's exactly why I made this video. Glad you got lucky like myself when you purchased your 77. Thanks for watching. Save the wave.👍
Great video and timing.
great info and presentation!! Thanks!!!!
Thanks and thanks for watching.
Shopping now, so I appreciate you video.
That's great! Good luck on your search and thanks for watching.
getting one this weekend thank you.
That's awesome! Hopefully my video helped. What year are you getting?
Just drove over 6 hours to Scotland from London to see a high end price 69. Your video has saved us a fortune thank you so much!
Love hearing that! Glad the video helped.thanks for watching!🙂
Nice clean Vette👍
Thank you and thanks for watching.
I already knew most of this when I bought my 80, after doing quite a bit of research on what to look for and where, when I started looking for one. Great video though, a real help to those who are looking for a C3 and don't know much about them. You pretty much covered all the major issue points in one summary video. Thanks for posting!
Thanks! That's exactly what I was hoping to do with this video. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.
@@TCBGARAGE YES!! Thank you very much! Right now, I'm completely $ BROKE! $ 😢 😂 😅 😊 But, just like that "C3"-era 😊 1970s Commercial, in which the Black Caribbean Dude says: "One Never Knows--Do One???" 😊
Man you have a beautiful car.. she's a keeper 🇺🇸👍
Thank you, she's definitely not going anywhere. Thanks for watching.
Looks like a great paint job. Nice!! 🏴☠️
Thanks John! Painted myself in the garage. Thanks for watching. 👍
Read endless forums about this. Should’ve searched KZhead first. Very helpful video, thanks 👍🏻
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video.
My first car was a 74 Firebird my second car I bought was a 70 Corvette years & years later bought me another 74 I like the body style of the 70s but when I seen that 74 I couldn't resist and I had to buy it
Nice i looked at 10 before this one. i have a 77 and totally love it everybody who see it tells me to paint it, the way i see it i can park it any ware with no worries of anyone hitting it with a door, besides it's the shape that makes you feel good not the paint. Mine was a flintstones car i had lots of work and still doing work,, numbers matching car. I have my diff on the bench rite now after this the rear end is new again waiting for summer can't wait. bird cage and frame in excellent shape.
Give it to the migrants.
This is going to help me a lot! I'm getting one tomorrow🎉
That's great Davy! I'm glad it helped. 👍
@@TCBGARAGE I got it! And it's like it rolled out of the showroom yesterday, the only rust was on the bottom of the radiator support. And it was surface rust only It only leaks a bit of diff fluid, a new gasket and it's fixed I think/hope
@@davyh.8471 that's awesome!!! I'm really happy for you. What year vette did you get.😊
@@TCBGARAGE 1978 L82 25th anniversary, I live in europe so nice classic US cars are a bit rare.. It was originally delivered white and has been repainted white about 2 or 3 years ago, and it has a new interior! Sorry for the late response for some reason i don't get notifications for some reason...
@@davyh.8471 it sounds really nice! I'm happy for you! Enjoy that vette!!!👍
Great vid...thank you
👍🏼good info!
This was great, thanks man 👍
Glad you liked it. Thanks!
I luv you man! You made a great vid caused me to 'scribe. Like your music too.
Thanks John! Really glad you enjoyed the video!!! Welcome to the channel. 👍
Invaluable advice cheers from the UK 🇬🇧 ( to get one of these before I pop it is getting nearer and nearer)
Cheers to you as well! Thanks for watching from across the pond!👍
Very Informative !!! thanks for your effort
Good video...nice car! I have an '81 that I've had for 29 years. Make a video of your trailing arm swap-out. That, to me, seems like a very specialized skill that the mechanics who know and do that job well are getting few, and far between. I'm looking for shops who specialize in working on old corvettes (trailing arm replacement, specifically) and so far the closest one is about 200 miles from my house!
Thanks Rick! Glad you liked the video. Please check my channel I did post the trailing arm rebuild , Hope it is helpful. Thanks for watching.
Awesome video, thank you! It will help me a lot
Thanks! glad it will help. Good luck 👍
Man, thanks for this. I'm in the market for one and this will help.
You're very welcome. Good luck with your search and thanks for watching.👍
Excellent video. Bird cage rust is the biggest issue because its so hidden and so expensive to fix. Rust free late 70's C3's are great resto-mod project cars. You can typically get them for way less than the earlier C3's and you're not hurting resale value if you do a motor swap because those engines are garbage anyway.
All true. Thanks for watching.
Hehe in Germany they install Mercedes 560SEC or 6.3 liter engines in the Corvette frame because the Small block sucks on Autobahn, we even have one guy here around with a 6.9 litre 450SEL OHC V8 engine. That is a fast corvette C3 its at least as quick as Ferrari Daytona !!!
@@Schlipperschlopper Years ago before my wife passed, we used to talk about making a trip to Germany see her tante and her cousins (her mother was from Bayern). I used to tell her that I wanted to rent a high performance car for one day and tear up the Autobahn LOL.
@@GTX1123Sadly due to the stupid greens here from 2027 on there will only be electric cars and a speed limit of 130 Km/H on Autobahn and 30 KM/H in all cities.
@@Schlipperschlopper Wow. Well there is still hope. Electric vehicles are a huge scam. They are the epitome of the other lies and propaganda the globalists gaslight the naive and gullable with. People here in the U.S., Europe and in Australia are starting to wake up from this nightmare and they're pushing back. A very near future of outrageous energy prices in Europe will eventually take its toll. When the people take back their govt's, there will be huge changes. They're already starting to realize the earth isn't going to burn up, electric cars expend more energy and their batteries are more of an environmental threat than petroleum powered cars. We went through one round of fuel shortages here in the states back in the mid 1970's through the late 1980's. But in the 90's powerful V8's made a comeback with SUV's all the rage and the Mustang and Camaro then eventually the Dodge Challenger being reintroduced. In Germany there should ALWAYS be all manner of high performance cars screaming down the Autobahn at high speed. One day I wanted to go there and rent a vintage 1980's Porche 911 one day and then a classic 928S the next and take them out on the Autobahn. Classic car people here in the states LOVE those classic 1980's Porches.
Awesome video... tomorrow I will be checking one out. It is a 76 but I am sure this will help... thank you so much!
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.
Hello great video I’m looking at a 71 shortly Sir something I noticed 12:28 one of your axle stands was not level please please be really careful locating and levelling them thanks for the informative vid
Very nice work. Thanks.
Thanks john! Glad you liked it.
Thank You for excellent video.
You are very welcome Stephen! Thanks for watching.
It's was great video brother watching from NAGALAND (India)
That's great I'm glad I'm reaching such a wide audience! Thanks for watching. 😊
Thank you for posting this. The video is very helpful. My only recommendation is perhaps a "pointer" rod could have been used to touch or tap the areas of discussion. As a beginner on these cars, I sometimes wasn't sure which part you were commenting on. Thanks again!
You are 100% correct. I've learned to point in my recent videos.. thanks for watching.
Great video. Really helpful
Thank you!😊
Thanks Brother- Great look at some important features.
You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed the video. 😊
Nice and informative video. I'm a seasoned corvette owner and when I'm not working on my 68 restoration project, I'm watching videos and researching the forums. Keep putting out content like this and I'm sure your channel will grow!
Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Best of luck on the 68. 👍
That was awesome, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. 👍
Thank you very informative video!
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
Great video! Very helpful on what to look for. What is the make/model on the antenna you have near the VIN plate? I assume it's for the radio.
You are correct. The antenna is for the radio. I purchased it from Ebay can't remember the seller. Thanks for watching. 👍
Good job, nice 74, from the Connecticut Stingrays....
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. Save the wave!👍
My dad gave me his 74 vette all original been in the family since new low miles always garage kept never been restored number matching engine n trans very good shape :)
Sounds really nice! Good job keeping it in the family.👍
Nope
Great video!
Thank you!
NOT BAD REAR BEARINGS, the ends of your stub axles are worn (inside the diff). under hard cornering when the two wheels are turning at different speeds, the stub ends rub against the pinion gear shaft causing wear, because the stub ends are not hardened enough to handle the pressure, they actually mushroom slightly. anyone who autocrosses a C3 can probably attest to that
Informative, good info, thanks.
Thanks Danny! Glad you enjoyed the video thanks for watching.
@@TCBGARAGE 👍👍
@@TCBGARAGE yeah, I'm in NY so there are definitely more rusted out frames and birdcages on C3's up here
Oh I'm sure there is. NY gets a lot of snow. Are you looking for one now?
Great Video I just got a 1980 Vette and I wish I saw your video a week ago not that there's anyth in ng wrong with mine but I could've been more informed on the money pit I purchased lol
Well I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Congratulations on the purchase of your 80! Is this your first vette?
Best video to date
Thank you very much!😊
Thanks for posting this video. I have been looking at a body just the windshield back and then everything has been gutted from it. I wanted to turn it into a open wheel buggy. I have seen a video that a truck frame will work under a C3 corvette with a few mods. Just waiting to hear back on which frame he used. All of the glass has been removed so I will probably have to replace the complete bird cage in it, but it will on be a buggy. I just think it would be cool to save the body and turn it into a cool ride instead of letting the guy let it sit on the ground where it is at. At least the door shells are still there.
That's right save it and give it a second life. I hate seeing them sit and rot away too. 👍
Thank you I got a 1974 Stingray black 2
That's awesome! Enjoy your 74. I know I enjoy mine.
Great video. Thanks!
Thank you!
Thanks for the video. Good info, in real time format. As I am learning in shopping these cars: Corvette is spelled with a large C because just the smallest thing, costs a hundred bucks. Not gonna stop me, I will find "that one".
Good luck on your search! I'm sure you'll find a great vette just be patient. Thanks for watching and save the wave. 😊✋
@TCBGARAGE As of this day, STILL looking. Not gonna stop, never gonna give up.
Nice vid. Most of what you covered also applies to the C2.
Rick you're correct the c2 does share some similarity to the c3. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching.
Great tips! Going to look at a '79 tomorrow. Wish me luck; second owner - hopefully a desert car, cuz thats where its at now.
Best of luck Matthew! Will this be your 1st vette? Hopefully you find yourself a solid 79. Thanks for watching. 👍
Great video and info my friend over here in aus these bad boys are now one of cheapest classic cars can get
Yes they're still a great bargain in the states also. Glad you liked the video and thanks for watching.
Thanks for the advice. I haven’t heard a lot of good about the crossfire injection but I would most likely just do a LS swap for the reliability and piece of mind. Thanks again, beautiful car, and the video was very informative.
Quick question, what frame and subframe and drive train modifications would you need to perform to make sure the LS doesn’t warp the car to shreds?
@@juliuspreloznik7236 A 21 jewel roll cage and titanium muffler bearings
@@stevemadak6255 Ah, the infamous muffler bearings, of course
It's always a work in progress. I have a love & hate relationship with mine. Going on 21 years with it and each year I'm upgrading something on it. 76vette.
Too true!🤣 me and my 74 are still in our honeymoon phase. Since I've owned it for ten years but I've only been driving it for three years now. But they are always a work in progress. 😊
THANKS FOR THE TIPS ON THE C3 , I'VE GOT A 79 L - 82 THAT NEEDS SOME TLC , CALIFORNIA CAR , THEY WERE 20k IN THOSE DAYS , UP TO 200k FOR A NEW ONE TODAY !!!
Sorry for the delayed response. Haven't been getting my comments for some reason. Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Thank you. Going up to AL this weekend to buy one (hopefully!)
That's great! What year are you looking at?
@@TCBGARAGE It was a 79.... Bird cage was rotted out front left and right floor mount area... The search goes on. But your video really helped me, in fact I shared it with the seller
Sorry the 79 didn't work out for you. I'm sure you'll fine a good one &Thanks For sharing the video !!!
Lots of helpful information. Check the differential for excess play. It might not me your rear bearings.
Thanks for the info but it did end up being the bearings. Thanks for watching!👍
Some previous owner had forgotten to re install those radiator rubber insulators on supports and metal to metal put a hole in a brand new aluminum rad.
thank you Great help good job
You are very welcome thanks for watching!
very informative.....thanks.
You are very welcome! Thanks for watching.
Sweet Vette 🇺🇸😎
Thank you..
GREAT VIDEO!!! THANK YOU FOR HELPING MANY OTHERS! I'M LOOKING FOR A 1980 C3 WITH BAD ENGINE. NOW I KNOW TO NOT LOOK FOR SHINNY FIBERGLASS AND WHEELS. TO LOOK AT THE BIRDCAGE, BIRDCAGE, AND THE BIRDCAGE! NEW SUB. ALWAYS THUMBS UP!!!
Thanks for watching! And yes the birdcage is very important, I guess I overly emphasize that.😂! Good luck on your search for a c3 and thanks for the sub.👍
Just got a c3 6 months a go learned a lot thanks
This was such a great Vid. Seriously helpful and great info! I am in the UK so trying to figure out a way to get a C3 imported(they cost far too much in the UK) unfortunately finding it hard to find one that seems in good shape without inspecting it myself. Any tips?
Thanks I'm really glad it was helpful! As far as getting a good vette here in the state's I'd try to find a reputable company that does classic car inspections. Hope this helps and thanks for watching. 👍
I'm not much for a Vette, but my buddy wanted me to go look at one for him due to location. I told him I didn't know what I was looking for in a C3. He shared a link to this video, now I feel like I could not only buy with confidence, but I could open a shop specializing in C3 repairs.
Wow! I'm honored that your friend recommended my video. Please tell him thank you. Hopefully the vette you looked at for him was a good one. I'm so please my video was able to help you both that's exactly why I made it. 👍