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How to spot rust traps in a coupe? #1560791
19/01/2016 18:12
19/01/2016 18:12

M
MrRichB
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MrRichB
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Hi Guys
I am aware that coupes can suffer corrosion that is hard to spot and difficult to rectify. I'm hoping to see a coupe soon and already have one in the barn, is there a quick way to lift the seat squab at the back or boot area to check the floors etc? Any advice appreciated.
Rich

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1560797
19/01/2016 18:43
19/01/2016 18:43
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,994
ation
szkom Offline
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szkom  Offline
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Front wheels on full lock and inspect the inner arches. Check the sill returns at either end. Inspect below the pinin quarter badges. Lift the boot carper and check the seams running both edges towards the rear seats.

Hopefully that should cover the most. However as with any old car, you need to get your head under the car. Unfortunately the cars have got to the age where rust could strike anywhere.

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1561286
24/01/2016 10:14
24/01/2016 10:14
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
You definitely need to get under the car - floorpans, inner wings, wheelarches (all four), sills, bootfloor can all corrode

generally, the later the car, the more rust-prone they seem to be

Seaside cars also seem to suffer more


[Linked Image]
Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: Nigel] #1561319
24/01/2016 15:48
24/01/2016 15:48

M
MrRichB
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MrRichB
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Thanks for the info guys. It's a 99 20vt, allegedly rust free.

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1561328
24/01/2016 18:11
24/01/2016 18:11

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pstruck
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pstruck
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I am always rather sceptical of ads that say 'rust free'. I tend to assume that this is based on no visible rust on the body from a cursory top-side look over, without getting underneath, lifting carpets and peering behind wheel arch liners. I doubt there are any truly rust free coupes out there.

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1561335
24/01/2016 19:22
24/01/2016 19:22
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
I have seen maybe only two or three genuinely rust-free Coupes in the last ten years

I'll bet I could find some rust on it...


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Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1561417
25/01/2016 13:57
25/01/2016 13:57

1
124coupe
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124coupe
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Wheel bolts smile

Last edited by 124coupe; 25/01/2016 13:58.
Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1561483
25/01/2016 20:31
25/01/2016 20:31
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,960
west bromwich
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coupedummy Offline
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Posts: 8,960
west bromwich
definitely get into the boot with a torch. My cheap 20vt some time ago had no visible signs on arches etc. Lifted spare wheel and holes in seams of boot floor. An easier one to spot.


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Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1572843
08/05/2016 16:04
08/05/2016 16:04

N
Nello
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Nello
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Has anyone else had any corrosion issues with their doors? For some reason the very bottom edge of my passenger door is going - right on the very edge. I've never seen another Coupe have door issues. I'll be taking it over to PMS this summer hopefully to get sorted.
Anyone any idea how much a door respray would cost approx?

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1572857
08/05/2016 18:44
08/05/2016 18:44

N
n3dsd
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n3dsd
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Only when I had a 16v..the puddle light let in puddles..the 20v had more filler under the pinifarina badges than metal

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1572976
09/05/2016 20:00
09/05/2016 20:00
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575
Ayrshire
ScouseCoupe Offline
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Ayrshire
Originally Posted By: Nello
Has anyone else had any corrosion issues with their doors? For some reason the very bottom edge of my passenger door is going - right on the very edge. I've never seen another Coupe have door issues. I'll be taking it over to PMS this summer hopefully to get sorted.
Anyone any idea how much a door respray would cost approx?


+1 for the same location. Luckily Nigel had a spare door in his clearout, which does not have this problem. As its cheaper to exchange a door complete than fully refurbishing the current bubbly door.


1999 Rosso Corsa 20VT ( Restored )
2000 Rosso Alfa 916 Spider 2.0 T.S Lusso ( Under Restoration)

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1573171
11/05/2016 09:29
11/05/2016 09:29
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,920
Going North on the A9
dante giacosa Offline
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Going North on the A9
That's very strange about the door isn't it ?

I would say (regarding rust) that 'most areas' can be rectified with 'domestic' gauge intervention, but a few specific spots may require more professional attention.

Might be worth taking a mirror and a torch to inspect the real jacking points- behind & underneath the Pininfarina badges. Those spots are probably indicative of the rest of the car.

A trick I use for inspecting a potential purchase: is to set my phone camera to 'flash-on' and take as many underbody shots as I can- letting the thing pull focus every time- don't rush it.
You can get about 40% of the benefit of a ramp inspection like that.

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1573209
11/05/2016 15:01
11/05/2016 15:01

N
Nello
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Nello
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N



Thing is its only the very bottom outer edge thats affected in front of the seal. Underneath the door itself is perfect.

Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: dante giacosa] #1573211
11/05/2016 15:27
11/05/2016 15:27
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 853
East Anglia
one4seven Offline
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East Anglia
Originally Posted By: dante giacosa
A trick I use for inspecting a potential purchase: is to set my phone camera to 'flash-on' and take as many underbody shots as I can- letting the thing pull focus every time- don't rush it.
You can get about 40% of the benefit of a ramp inspection like that.


Take two phones, attach one to a stick and run Periscope on it, watch the live rusty feed on the other handset. Much easier smile


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Ollie
Re: How to spot rust traps in a coupe? [Re: ] #1573344
12/05/2016 23:27
12/05/2016 23:27
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 416
uk
OnlyItalian Offline
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OnlyItalian  Offline
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Posts: 416
uk
Some great advice in this thread. I've always relied on "The Force" and apart from one purchase when I was 17 it's served me well.


"Proud owner of LE141 and a 99 VIS broomie "

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