What Does "Rust Free" REALLY Mean?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
"Rust Free" - 1. A common expression used by the sellers of cars and trucks in order to garner a potential buyer's attention. 2. A claim used to inflate the asking price or negotiated purchase price. 3. The terms are concluded by the seller because the seller thinks, "It must be rust free because I can longer see the rot and holes due to the massive quantities of body filler and cheap paint."
I digress.
I digress.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 602
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Like what was mentioned earlyer, if it is metal, it WILL have some rust. normal surface rust on the chassis, brake drums, driveshaft, exhaust, springs. The body has NO rust, not even surface rust. No rusty bolts, nuts, hardware that is gonna snap when you try to remove it, no holes, rot, cancer, or "flaking rust" anywhere. To be sure, run a magnet down the body
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,243
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and Mt Carroll IL
My 67 Imperial was as close to rust free as anything I've ever seen. Got it about 6 years ago from Oklahoma via Racine WI. OK must be kind to vehicles. The factory undercoating, although a little flaky was mostly intact. Floor and trunk pans, door jambs, rockers, trunk lip, door and hood edges and all areas under factory moldings wearing original rust free paint, no bubbling. Inside of skirts like new and function (lever release) as new. There is some pitting in the pot metal chromed grill and emblems and a little bit of light surface rust that appears from time to time on front and rear bumpers but it cleans and polishes up nicely enough. Could use replating, chrome a little thin probably. Think it was garaged as the dash pad, upholstery and glass is not cracked, foggy or sun damaged.
Thats about as rust free as I could think of for a 44 year old car.
Thats about as rust free as I could think of for a 44 year old car.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
Likes: 8
From: Western N.C.
"Rust free" and "garage kept" seem to be used in the same way as "all original" or "rare"...incorrectly...
Personally, I take "rust free" to mean that in a restoration, nothing would have to be replaced as a result of rust. NO ROT. As several others have said, there is going to be rust on an older vehicle. The issue is how much of it and how severe.
To be "garage kept" in my mind, the vehicle must have been stored inside out of the elements for at least 95% of its life. The caveat that is normally included is "as long as I've had it." That doesn't make one bit of difference to me unless the owner bought it new. Several sellers have told me that a vehicle was garage kept ever since they got it...sounds good until you realize it's a 30 year old vehicle that they bought six months ago. And no, to me an open carport does not count as a garage.
Bottom line...they all mean what the seller wants them to mean, and they all mean what the buyer wants them to mean. It's usually a matter of convenience, to be blunt. Sellers want to make more, and buyers want to pay less...so definitions are adjusted accordingly.
How would you advertise your truck if you had to sell it today? Would you rate it the same as you would if you were buying it?
Just something to think about.
Personally, I take "rust free" to mean that in a restoration, nothing would have to be replaced as a result of rust. NO ROT. As several others have said, there is going to be rust on an older vehicle. The issue is how much of it and how severe.
To be "garage kept" in my mind, the vehicle must have been stored inside out of the elements for at least 95% of its life. The caveat that is normally included is "as long as I've had it." That doesn't make one bit of difference to me unless the owner bought it new. Several sellers have told me that a vehicle was garage kept ever since they got it...sounds good until you realize it's a 30 year old vehicle that they bought six months ago. And no, to me an open carport does not count as a garage.
Bottom line...they all mean what the seller wants them to mean, and they all mean what the buyer wants them to mean. It's usually a matter of convenience, to be blunt. Sellers want to make more, and buyers want to pay less...so definitions are adjusted accordingly.
How would you advertise your truck if you had to sell it today? Would you rate it the same as you would if you were buying it?
Just something to think about.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
I personally was looking for a "rust free" truck when I bought mine. I didnt want a recently painted one that was hiding a ton of bondo. Surface rust didnt bother me because the only 30+ year old trucks without it, I couldnt afford anyways. I was concerned with body rot; rusted out floorpans, cab mounts, cab corners , drip rails, cowls etc.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: MO
i hate you!
my definition of rust free is the same that others have already posted
my definition of rust free is the same that others have already posted
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