How to Buy a Used Corvette by Michael Z. Hendrick

When buying a used Corvette, try to find a running car that fits your needs, rather than a project car that will cost much more in the long run. Buying an inexpensive Corvette is not so inexpensive after the appropriate repairs and replacements have been made. If you have worked on project cars in the past, it may seem that buying replacement parts is a simple and inexpensive way to fix up an old car. But, Corvette parts are expensive and hard to come by, even on eBay. A project Corvette can also end up costing much more time than you are willing to commit, which makes the money saved on a project car money that was thrown away.

Once you have decided to buy a used Corvette that meets your needs, it is important to check a prospective purchase for rust. The body of a Corvette will not rust, being made of fiberglass, but there are several parts that can. The chassis may have rust problems that would make the car a bad deal, so it is best to crawl under the car and check it thoroughly. The cross members and vulnerable areas of the chassis, such as the area ahead of the back tires, should be checked for rust. The front radiator support of Corvettes tend to rust along the bottom, so a thorough examination of the underside of the car will reveal rust in that area.

Rust isnt the only problem that a used Corvette faces. Buying a used car means not knowing the cars past- a past that could include a major wreck. By taking a look at the A-Arm shims, you should be able to tell if a past incident of damage is still affecting the car today. The number of shims should be relatively equal on both sides. Shims that are bunched up on one side or the other indicates problems, such as damaged suspension or even a bent cross member. If the shims indicate this type of problem, be aware of how much the repairs could cost before purchasing the car.

The outside inspection can indicate major problems to a car, and a test drive can show further any damage that a car may have. While driving, feel way the car handles. If there are any abnormal noises coming from the car, that may indicate damage somewhere. Some Corvette models make a popping sound from the rear, which may indicate that the clutch is glazed over. It is also important to see that the accessories inside the car are in good condition. A radio, rearview mirror, window controls, heat and air conditioning and other inside parts can be expensive to replace.

If the car is free of any major internal problems, it still may have some problems with the body. The fiberglass body of the Corvette may have a few clues as to whether it has sustained damage and has been repaired. If the Corvette in question has rubber bumpers, inspect it for ripples that may indicate a front end collision occurred. Fiberglass panels are usually replaced in the event of a collision, so the bumper is a good place to look for any evidence. If the bumper has obviously been repaired, it may mean the suspension has sustained damage, which may require difficult and expensive repairs.

Michael has written many articles on automotive topics, including 1965 Corvettes for Sale, General Motors Paint Codes , Used Novas for Sale.

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