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Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (1/9)
 6/4/24 8:52pm
Danilo
Former Member

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, - Italy

Vette(s):
1978 base model 185 hp


Joined: 11/8/2023
Posts: 8

Good morning everyone and first of all I wanted to apologize for my English if I make any mistakes.
I don't know if there is already a discussion about what I'm asking, but honestly searching the forum I didn't find it. Anyway I have this type of problem, I'm restoring a 1978 Corvette C3 which unfortunately is completely rusted and I therefore had to completely disassemble it. At the moment I'm a bit stuck because I found the internal windshield reinforcement supports completely destroyed (one even non-existent). I wanted to replace them by buying new ones, but I didn't find anything online. Currently the only solution I'm adopting is to scan the part with a professional laser that we have at work and reconstruct the part via 3D printing or milling from solid, but it is a very long process as the part is not linear but has many curves on multiple axes and obtaining all the surfaces requires a lot of time. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you very much for your availability, I'll attach some photos to help you understand what I'm talking about. Have a good day.

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Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (2/9)
 6/5/24 4:19am
NorskyLifetime Member
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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am


Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7239

Good morning - you are taking on quite a project...!!!  I am by no means an expert but it would seem to me that your best bet would be to find a donor car that you can salvage parts from.  I hate to see any car cut up for parts, especially Corvettes, but with the lack of replacement parts on the market it usually is the only option.

On the other hand, if you are able to recreate the parts there is always the option to start up a business to fill the need for those parts.

Best of luck...!!!



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Jim Olson 

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Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (3/9)
 6/5/24 5:13am
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2446

Hello, I agree a whole lot with Norsky. A Parts car is best. I did that with the windshield top frame on a 75'. Very time consuming, but also Very rewarding. Came out well. There are many places you can get parts. Back yards are one area. Put out a plea for one. Time and Patience can accomplish much.



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Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (4/9)
 6/5/24 5:27am
Danilo
Former Member

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, - Italy

Vette(s):
1978 base model 185 hp


Joined: 11/8/2023
Posts: 8

Thanks for the reply everyone, actually I was also thinking of going with a donor car, but unfortunately here in Italy it is not so easy to find "throwaway" corvettes, they are quite rare cars, most likely mine could have been considering the state in which they were It's there. Thanks for the help anyway.

Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (5/9)
 6/5/24 6:04am
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 894

There is a Corvette salvage yard in Pennsylvania called Contemporary Corvettes. You might check with them. 



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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (6/9)
 6/5/24 6:11am
Danilo
Former Member

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, - Italy

Vette(s):
1978 base model 185 hp


Joined: 11/8/2023
Posts: 8

Thanks a lot.

Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (7/9)
 6/5/24 8:55am
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1458

Might try Bairs.

 

http://www.bairscorvette.com/c3bodymountbirdcagemetal.html

 

Honestly, if it were me, I'd try and find another Vette to restore.



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Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (8/9)
 6/5/24 9:16am
Danilo
Former Member

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, - Italy

Vette(s):
1978 base model 185 hp


Joined: 11/8/2023
Posts: 8

hello and thank you very much for your suggestion, honestly it's an idea that had crossed my mind out of despondency. When I bought the car from the outside everything seemed ok, the old owner or the one before him saw fit to paint the whole thing the underside of the car with anti-noise paint which covered all the major defects it had.  Then when I had the car in my hands and started to do some tidying up work I noticed the big problems with the birdcage, in particular all 2 rocker channels were completely rusty, as were the floor bottoms and the rear bulkheads. In short, let's say that there is a lot of work to do.  Unfortunately I don't have all this money to throw away the car I bought and start another project.  I will calmly try to fix it little by little (by now I have become fond of the project). The car is currently completely dismantled, but I hope to finish everything in 2-3 years. Thanks for the message.

Re: Hinge pillar reinforcement 1978 corvette (9/9)
 6/5/24 9:58am
F4GaryGold Member
Gold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1458

Danilo said:

hello and thank you very much for your suggestion, honestly it's an idea that had crossed my mind out of despondency. When I bought the car from the outside everything seemed ok, the old owner or the one before him saw fit to paint the whole thing the underside of the car with anti-noise paint which covered all the major defects it had.  Then when I had the car in my hands and started to do some tidying up work I noticed the big problems with the birdcage, in particular all 2 rocker channels were completely rusty, as were the floor bottoms and the rear bulkheads. In short, let's say that there is a lot of work to do.  Unfortunately I don't have all this money to throw away the car I bought and start another project.  I will calmly try to fix it little by little (by now I have become fond of the project). The car is currently completely dismantled, but I hope to finish everything in 2-3 years. Thanks for the message.


Did you click on the link I posted.  That may be your best parts source.



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