Hi folks. Well it was the car I always wanted, never had, until now. I picked it up cheap, it actually runs, but after about a week of tearing (way) into it, and reading a lot - I'm concerned about how much rust is too much? I can read a newspaper through the floorpans - that bad. Areas "above" don't seem to bad, just surface. Even the trunk, suprisingly, not that bad. But I'm guessing as bad as the floor pans are, the frame rails and other major support or going to need... a lot of work. More than I'm capable of - I know nothing about welding

I've contemplated just throwing it back on craigslist and waiting for something else, spending more to get something further along, and getting something I can do in my garage. But for some reason, maybe after a 40 mile ride home from where I bought it.. I just feel compelled to do whatever it takes, you know? I'm not going for show-quality, just something in good shape that is fun and safe to drive.

Don't be fooled by the photos, theres 3 coats of paint and some rust on the exterior as well (plus a few bondo spots, but nothing huge). Thoughts?

 

NEED MORE PICS TO HELP YOU

 

dude, first of all congrats and welcome to the family. I say if you think it's too much for you (I once thought that but now I've changed my mind) Go ahead and sell if you are serious about getting another one soon. Besides you might make a few $$ on the sale with creative marketing Anyhew, why not just jack up the car and check the frame first. If your frame is okay then you are probably in good shape. And now is not a bad time to start learning. I say keep it and get to work! Either way good luck

 

You are either going to have to buy a welder and learn to weld, or have someone else replace the floor pans for you. If your floor pans are rusted out, you can bet your cowl is toast also, and maybe even your front frame rails. You need to do some hard thinking on this, and make up your mind to either get the welding skills, or sell it and get one that isn't so far gone.

 

Thanks Grruminator. Here are the scary pics

 

if you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay?

 

I don't know, from what I can see with the exception of the floorpans, it does not look that bad.

repeat,,, from what I can see....

If most of the rust is confined to the floorpans, the repairs should not be that extensive.

Is it just my eyes, or is that floorpan wet in the picture?

 

It's not just your eyes. This is what I"m dealing with. I have one pool table to move and then this gets inside, finally. It's been over a week. I'm a bad, bad person.

 

JMD, look at that engine bay. Do you see the shock tower and export brace?[]

 

its all fixable if you can weld and take the time to do it right