Tips For Finding & Identifying Rust

[Captain Mike]

I recently came across some advice from an experienced bodyman on how to locate rust before you purchase a supposedly "rust-free" Tbird. He suggests looking toward the front of the car with your head inside the rear wheel openings on both sides. If you can see clear to the door post, don't buy the car. Next look to the rear and if you can see inside the trunk, don't buy the car. Look along the bottom of the rockers on both sides. They should be straight and parallel with the ground. Pinch your fingers together and run them along the bottom of the doors. Your fingers shouldn't go apart and come back together and should also stay parallel all along the length of the door bottom. Do the same along the back edge of the trunk lid. Check the package tray along the back in the trough area -- push on it with your fingers to tell if it's solid or rotten. Feel under the quarters from the wheels to the bumper - it should only be about 1/8" thick. If it's thicker or real bumpy, don't buy the car. Look under the trunk mat at both outside ends. Beware if it's flaky or rusty. Look under the car at the driver's and passenger's feet area and poke around with a screwdriver. If it goes through, don't buy the car. Just passing along what I think is some good advice. Good luck to everyone.