Bird cage

[IslandStingRay]

Recently inherited my older brother's 65. The birdcage looks to be shot. I know this isn't going to be easy, but are there replacements available?
and Are ther e any "How To" books on removal and replacement for the cage?

 

[JohnZ]

To be charitable about it, the project ahead of you is simply a nightmare. Most of the parts are now available (from Caledonia Classic Cars in Belding, Michigan, 888-245-5224, Gary Crump), but it involves major disassembly of the body panels to get at the steel parts.

I'm not aware of any step-by-step books for that project; most Corvettes that have a really bad birdcage end up as parts cars, as they're well beyond the skill and experience level of the average enthusiast.

Others' opinions may vary.

 

[IslandStingRay]

Thanks for that. The dilemma is that it has been in the family for years, though neglected by me brother, and I don't really want to get rid of it. I have close connections with a metal fab shop and once apart they would do the metal work. Its getting it apart and back together.

 

[BADBIRDCAGE]

It is a mammoth undertaking. My cage was bad in the B pillars and some of the lower rail section. At the time we did my car no one was reproducing the sections from the top of the lock pillar to the roof. Had to find a cage with usable steel. Took a year and a half just to find the cage, then months more to finalize the project.

IMHO a complete cage replacement is not a viable option for a Corvette. Most certainly not cost efficient. For a one of a kind custom built car; sure.

If you have nothing but an excess of both time and money go for it. But it has to be because you are going to die with the car and leave it to a heir. (like I am going to)

Rich

 

[IslandStingRay]

I am beginning to understand the difficulty in attempting this. I think I'll remove the body and see what the rest of the frame looks like before deciding what to do.

 

[JohnZ]

I am beginning to understand the difficulty in attempting this. I think I'll remove the body and see what the rest of the frame looks like before deciding what to do.

The real issue isn't the steel birdcage parts - it's cutting/disassembling the body around it (which is many panels, all bonded together into a one-piece body) and then putting the body back together around the cage, then completely refitting and re-painting the body. This will require a skilled Corvette fiberglass body guy to disassemble the body panels, a skilled metal guy to do the cage work, and the Corvette body guy again to put the body back together, then the painter. Even if you can find the guys with the requisite skills and experience and the body panels and bonding strips that are destroyed/damaged during removal, it will take a LONG time. Photo below of the steel cage.