We find HUGE ISSUES under this classic corvette!

Welcome back to Horsepower Warehouse! On todays adventure I bring you guys along on an inspection we performed for a customer who wanted to have his C2 Corvette serviced. Unfortunately, this 66 Corvette shows exactly why you cannot "judge a book by its cover". This car would look great going across the auction block and demonstrates why a comprehensive inspection is always worth your time or money. Like + Subscribe to see how we transform this trouble child into a beautifully restored Vette! Email for Inquiries: [e-mail]

[@TheGeonam]

I happened to come across your corvette video. I am 77 years old and have owned eight c2 corvettes through my life, not all at the same time. Back in 1966 I bought a used 1963 with a updated 327 c.i. with 340 h.p. four speed. With headers and 4:11 gears and a Duel-Coil distributer it was a strong running car that I street raced for money. Vietnam came along and I went and served over there. Came home from Vietnam and no body was street racing and the street drag racing I left was gone for good , so it seemed. Corvettes have really been a great therapy for me . I served infantry 11B MOPH and had some problems adjusting but the corvettes always gave me a loving escape. I have been certified by Bloomington Gold in c2 restoration since 1985. I was honored by Vette Vues magazine in July 1985 with a nice article on a 1965 roadster I did a frame off on. Today I have a 63 roadster complete updated restoration with a LS 1 engine and suspension. The old saying has always been, Have Class and Wrap Your A$$ in Fiberglass !

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

What an absolutely awesome comment! Its always great to hear stories about how these cars were raced back when they were new. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@georgeburns7251]

Cool , but who cares?

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

@@georgeburns7251 Pete Townshend.

[@johnthonig8832]

I own a 65 Roadster- since 73. I am 66 and when I feel the need, I take her out, top down, Therapy solved Or go for a ride on my Harley.😃

[@terryandrews7271]

Thank you for your service, I too had a 63 mine was a split window co-op, Lost it in a divorce. Bummer💔

[@guntherhoffman7421]

love your shop!

[@leert2698]

Just came across your channel. I could swear I heard angels singing in the background, that was like Heaven seeing all of those beautiful cars. That poor man had a costly experience.

[@dgiorgi2001]

Jr. every time I look at a Corvette I like I think of you and what you would think about the car. You know all the places to look. Probably just better to pay the extra and buy one from you that way I know it perfect. Thanks for the vid and keep up the excellent work. The job reflects the person who did it and these works of art got your signature on em.

[@julianaddis159]

Watching the frame rust almost made me cry.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

You'd think some designer somewhere specified Aluminum, but no.

[@kimosabbe50]

I'm happy I ran across your channel ... great video!

[@truckcamper5751]

Obviously that guy didn’t do his homework He got the Corvette fever had to buy it by the way I like your CT 70s there those are nice

[@DwainDwight]

Nice one and please post more, especially good to know what to look out for when buying.

[@theraven9156]

Great to know about what to look for on the frame

[@ernestkangiser2509]

Fantastic Blue with red touch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MrDjh66]

Great vid thanks I’ll look under my 66

[@dougjenks8637]

Nice work !!

[@anthonyfunderburk7871]

Awesome video 💯👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@joevette6294]

You guys are really good at restoring C-2's👍👍👍

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

We definitely appreciate it! Also thanks for checking out my channel!

[@warbonnet64]

Nice nice selection of C2's! My last one was a '66 big block, Muncie 4-speed, knock offs with side exhaust in Marina Blue. Absolutely LOVED that Vette!. As soon as I get my last kid out of college I will be looking you up!

[@Mike-en4ye]

So nice. Everything

[@MrBluoct]

Incredible

[@sportify4849]

4:15 surly needs a frame off resto. I am sure the windshield cage along down to the door hagings will even look worse ;) .

[@markwest9447]

Beautiful Shop

[@perrymurdock7505]

thanks for the video just learning about the C2's have a few C3's....thinking of buying a C2

[@rondpert5167]

I like that '61 Impala. There should be a law against selling mid-years out of the country. Gold line tires were the factory option in '65.

[@russellcardinal9074]

Looks like a pro shop.

[@terryandrews7271]

I had a 63 split window co-op, Blew up the motor and put a hopped up 327 at 400 horsepower. I had several hot rods but the Corvette was scary fast🔥🔥🔥👍

[@brucethompson1879]

glad i stumbled upon your channel.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Me too!

[@gayleg808]

I have owned my 66 Corvette since 75. It was driven in the snow and salty roads of CT until I moved to S. FLA. 25 years ago I shipped it to Honolulu. I don't have much money in the car and I have recently redone the interior to clean it up and I also had the original engine rebuilt. My husband and I did all the work. A frame off would be perfect for me to use it as a daily driver. I am not going to get to picky with it or else I wont be fun any more, but safety is very important. The car will be shipped in a couple months so I hope to visit your shop next year.

[@sunny689]

What a shame! Buyer was taken! He is now going to pay twice the purchase price. I wonder about the condition of the ' bird cage ' and rad support. Not to mention other surprises when they get into it. Obviously buyer didn't have a qualified person examine the car. If there is frame rot....Run away.

[@dazasc3994]

yeh anyone who knows vettes would have picked up on the frame rot immediately

[@dennisbrooks240]

Redline tire's on the blue. I had a blue 66 two top blue. Nice Road car.

[@johnweaver1198]

I am so glad I enjoyed Musclecar's before money got in it and time was not eating away at the metal. I have one car left and that's a wrap. Sorry to sound this way but screw older car's. And I love old iron but this video sums it up for me.....

[@davidnoonchester1913]

The yellow vett is really nice

[@peterfoxwell5198]

It's not that the frame is bad, u just have a very strong finger.

[@Olds_Gold]

He's got to spend as much fixing it as he paid for it. I feel bad for that dude.

[@68air]

True--Fiberglass tells very little tales. It is the bird cage and frame that tell the story.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

More, the car is rotted out, needs a new frame. Millions.

[@1ls376]

And candidate for a full Art Morrison chassis.

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

Feel bad for the dude but he obviously has a the money to have this repaired, a lot of us don't...👍

[@chrisholcombe137]

Wishing wishing to just see the original engines ! Oh those Corvette Big Blocks with the rectangular closed Chamber heads ! You can ALMOST hear 1970 454 Creation ! Chevy ll Camaro Nova Chevelle El Camino Monte Carlo any Body ??? By Fisher ! 63 Grand Sport Mystery 427 MK IV design Block ! The 70s muscle thanks you Chevrolet Division ! The 60s muscle can thank you ! the 50s muscle to the 40s muscle to the 30s to the 20s and 10s and again to the Family and Brothers Chevrolet ! RACING BREED . THANK YOU !

[@pcs5852]

Holy crap! The car is 55 years old and from Michigan! Did anyone expect the undercarriage to be in mint condition? A frame off resto is normal for anyone who wants to make a daily driver out of an old classic.

[@jazzpup8288]

I worked on vettes in Texas for a long time. I was under a 66 like this one once and noticed that someone had scratched the van halen "vh" on the bottom of the front crossmember. Thought it was cool.

[@illreportbackinabit.8514]

Factory brake lines often come with unions, they are not illegal.

[@MrTexasDan]

I was thinking the same. Compression fittings are a big no-no, but pipe unions are in new cars.

[@southernbreeze3278]

wonder what shape the fiberglass is in under the paint - he'll find out in a couple of years

[@spokes5201]

The Nassau Blue Corvette that you said was a '66 427, is that actually a '65 L78 car? I wasn't aware they used that hood on the later cars. Regardless, awesome with the side pipes. The exact car I would want if I ever had the chance.

[@christopherarnold1568]

roadster shop chassis will do the trick!!

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Agreed! I personally like the RS, Art Morrison and Rothspeed offerings for the C2s.

[@SteveV6206]

Union brake fittings are stock on some newer vehicles. Compression fittings for repairs are a No-No.

[@jasonschwomeyer4834]

I can't find your website to get more info on cars for sale.

[@chiefordnance]

Is it possible to add a 36 gallon tank on a C2 that had the 20 gallon tank?

[@TheBeingReal]

Those frames, fuel and brake lines are all rust prone. A friend with a ‘63 had to replace the whole frame on his. Was his dads car as original owner and a daily driver for years since new. $30k+ later all better.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Sure? More like $300 k with new frame.

[@clicks59]

Wouldn’t you get a thorough inspection before buying it? Did anyone else see the Honda Trail 70’s in the background?

[@CleanClassicCars]

Bought a a major auction beware

[@verndaley3471]

Does Art Morrison make a chassis for a C2?

[@bartman4556]

I thought the passenger A arm was cracked too. Shame what people pass off to the un knowing

[@rtn99]

What is your opinion on lifting a C2 corvette using the frame -vs- the way you lifted this one with a drive-on lift?? I'm talking about a C2 that does NOT have a previous 'frame-off restoration". Would think a lot less strain on the frame. Have also heard a C2 frame/body can flex when lifted by the frame. Can you give me your professional opinion please.

[@kevinhorning3624]

im from pa. grew up with salt on the roads. always look under the car. always look under the car before ya buy it.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Always put on lift and have trusted mechanic check.

[@ironhorse127]

Hope that guy bought this at a reasonable price. Serious issues on this one

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

$175,000?

[@chriscrain2878]

At what point during your inspection do you look at the bird cage? I assume younhave to wait until you separate the body from the frame. Great video. Auction cars can be scary, regardless who sells them.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

We are actually able to get a pretty good assessment with the chassis still in place using borescopes. Luckily, the birdcage was not in terrible condition in this car which is great because it wasn't within this customers budget either way. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@chriscrain2878]

@@HorsepowerWarehouse Thanks much.

[@kenmcdade8368]

WONDER if you guy's did my yellow 63 split window pro street Corvette

[@milojanis4901]

You guys near C&S Corvettes?

[@rayhack7936]

Any Mopars in that whse?

[@josephrapoza6453]

Been sitting there 10 years..

[@jimvelie5654]

Probably pays to buy one with new frame done

[@JAAB9296]

Why would anybody buy any car like this and NOT demand to look under the car . That is classic car buying 101.

[@MtM2253]

So that's where all the cars went.

[@talalalfassam1775]

Nice work. Do you have a website? Im interested in buying a classic car and wanted to know what cars do you have available?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

I appreciate the compliment! Our website is www.classiccarsofsarasota.com

[@raypredhomme2910]

Great video.Where r u located.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Sarasota, FL. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@caganb]

No c-4 vets?

[@rjkeenan8955]

Blueline tires

[@clevelandbrowns3325]

Are those c2's for sale? What is your website? Please post link.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

www.classiccarsofsarasota.com Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@hippielogger1090]

Is that a huge crack in the lower right A-arm?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Good catch, both lower A arms and rear trailing arms were toast.

[@johnshellenberg1383]

It would be interesting to know what the cost of this undertaking would be

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

This one was right around 35k with tax. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@68air]

@@HorsepowerWarehouse That sounds very reasonable but in order for this person to break even he will need to sell this car for close to 100K I am afraid.

[@johnsmith-qz4bv]

i think it needs a frame off resto......hope he didnt pay alot for that corvette

[@josephrapoza6453]

Last leg only 25 years of life left.

[@68air]

Do you do mechanical work or just restorations at your shop?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

We have a growing schedule of full restorations at this point so we aren't taking standard repair work for the foreseeable future. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@jimvelie5654]

I have been looking at corvettes from dealers in Mich area scary now thanks for video, Could you give a estimate about what it would cost to restore bottom of car thanks.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Every car is a different story but for reference this build was right around 32k including: Donor chassis, rebuilt engine, rebuilt transmission, rebuilt rear end, powdercoat, new exhaust, plus at least 4k worth of small parts. If I go though the effort and cost of doing a chassis, there are certain consumables I replace every time. Fuel and brake lines, all clips and retaining hardware, all u joints, anything made of rubber, fuel tank / sending unit / tank straps, body straps and mounts, ect. all get replaced. Thanks for the comments and checking out my channel!

[@captainbondo6427]

@@HorsepowerWarehouse 32K ? Not out of line at all .

[@seankirkpatrick8171]

Why would you say a union is illegal? It’s not even a dangerous repair? If it was a compression fitting I’d wholeheartedly agree, I assume that’s what you thought it was at first glance?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

You're absolutely correct I was being an idiot. What I meant to say was it is a NCRS point deduction. Inverted flare unions work just fine on a non judged repair. Thanks for checking out my channel and nice catch!

[@williamo.2519]

And the total cost for that Vette repair would be how much????

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

This job cost right around 35k with engine, trans, rear end rebuild. This was a customer car so we didn't do the usual full build with paint, chrome, trim, interior, ect. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@michaelashcraft8569]

Could have sworn I saw a ....Gremlin ????

[@Cha-y412]

What a nightmare for that owner. Brings it in to stop the oil leaks and gets told the frame is completely shot.

[@deansapp4635]

Just another flexible flier

[@daleolson3506]

Threaded unions are ok. Compression unions no

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Good catch, I was being an idiot. Inverted flare unions are perfectly fine on a non judged repair.

[@turdferguson74]

Surely he was aware of the condition.

[@southernbreeze3278]

uh no, not at all

[@harleyworm3641]

I need a mop to wipe my drool off the floor.

[@danlaur7973]

Yellow belongs on a banana, I'll take that silver big block for sure

[@my2commonsense476]

So how much is it to do a frame off?

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Yeah, how much... roughly to just get it right. I'm not talking ncrs right. Just safe and drivable?

[@68air]

35K

[@DwainDwight]

also what's your website?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Thanks for checking out my channel! www.classiccarsofsarasota.com

[@robchell9196]

Website?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

www.classiccarsofsarasota.com Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@jimmielong2748]

The blue one it's not a Cadillac it's a Corvette it needs red stripe

[@SealofPerfection]

Sooo....MSRP on the yellow one is 5,576? I'll take it today, cash money, for 5,500. Let's make a deal!

[@larrydrozd2740]

Too many times....a piece of metal with powder coat is actually rusted inside. We had a range rover in our shop with a roll bar that had been powder coated, the only thing left was the actual powder coat!! It crumbled away when you struck it with a hammer. Its good "on paper" but in the real world? No. Besides, if you're in the restoration world, especially Corvettes, you cannot have powder coat on them, anywhere. The only thing we would ever powder coat is the wrinkle finish on Hemi valve covers...thats it. Now....the rust he is showing here is common on these cars and easy to spot! Seriously....just look for it, he just showed you what to look for.

[@jimvelie5654]

Do you sell cars too ?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

We do, my website is www.classiccarsofsarasota.com. I don't mention my dealership on this channel because I don't want to come off as a car salesman. Besides, our cars sell themselves and I want to provide the best / coolest content possible for my subscribers without a sales pitch.

[@tonyhaynes9080]

What does it cost to have a new frame for a C2 please?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

A clean frame can usually be sourced for around 5 to 7k plus powder coating. The labor for a frame off chassis restoration will be a minimum of 140 hours. Most cars we do also get an engine rebuild, trans rebuild, rear end rebuild, new brakes, lines, bushings, tires, ect. We usually budget 35k plus interior / top and paint cost.

[@Yankeededandy62]

My guess would be, if you have to replace the frame, chances are good, you'll also do the birdcage. Pretty much the biggest nightmare on an old Corvette. It might be somewhat worthwhile to do on a C2, but if this was a C3, I'd run far, far away (not taking some very rare early C3s into consideration of course).

[@murph55]

@@Yankeededandy62 i agreed with you but he didn't said any thing about the bird cage,

[@Yankeededandy62]

@@murph55 I was wondering why it wasn't mentioned. I have a hard time believing, that a frame could be so rusted and the birdcage not affected at all.

[@brucebolton5183]

@@Yankeededandy62 Okay , No one else wants to sound like dummy, so I'll ask, What's the "birdcage"?

[@johnjaco5544]

Nothing a little bondo Won't fix, and new under coating.

[@Miadolph]

How much for that AMC Gremlin?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

It's sold and gone, I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to share it with the channel www.classiccarsofsarasota.com/vehicles/788/1976-amc-gremlin

[@tripnfallshow]

"I shouldn't be able to stick my finger through there." That's what she said.

[@Cozman430]

That frame is a disaster...

[@justinvandal9696]

Fast over a set of bumps and it will break in half!

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Why yes, yes it will, then go into a tree, no air bag, so you have a fatality.

[@justinvandal9696]

@@NeverTalkToCops1 I just mean it has a lot of issues.

[@grantmarut7488]

200k what was he smoking

[@berniemendez7396]

You guys at these "specialty shop" are like all other contractors, everything needs to be redone or replaced, bad work/parts etc. Vet looks like a nice driver, fix the leaks and enjoy for many years and get your money's worth. Then resale, buy another. You will spend thousands which won't return. People can't see underneath, have fun and enjoy....

[@bengone3349]

It only takes a serious bump to flex that rusted area of the frame enough that it would break at the kick up area. These frames rust from the inside, and fail with NO notice.

[@4dszr164]

Slow the camera down!

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

"A completely rotted out frame." Well, if America were a Corvette...

[@johnbell4405]

Must of drove on salt wintery roads?????

[@oldrrocr]

So sad. Makes you want to cry... until you realize it is NOT your plastic pig with a rusty frame.

[@rockystrazzi2387]

Owners fault..more money then brains..would of been worth flying a guy like this to Michigan or local Vette restoration to put on lift..google what to look for in buying a Vette....FRAME AND BIRDCAGE.. unless he stole it..

[@andrefecteau]

it came from Michigan??? Tell dude to sell it to some other geriatric in Florida and get another one, otherwise fix the leaks and drive it

[@dowen1511]

Sending it to new Zealand 👎 Probably end up at the bottom of the ocean.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Taken apart by customs to find drugs and new strains of Covid virus.