[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by Pecosbill

If you’ve got the resources, both in terms of money, time and also have a good bodyman or have those skills yourself, go for it. These cars need to be fixed and consider it your task to save another one from the scrap heap. When it’s done not only will you be proud of what you’ve accomplished but you’ll have the pride of knowing that your work will most likely be here being enjoyed by someone long after you’ve gone.

I have been considering making my engine build flex fuel just in case. That being said I don't think we will be moving off of fossil fuels in my lifetime. I work in the EV space and the technology just isn't there yet

All it takes to turn off a consumer is having to replace an out of warranty battery pack ($7-10k)

Until I see big companies like Honda and Toyota taking EVs seriously then I'll know gas engines days are numbered

[zmanabba]

Just chiming in to encourage you. I too did extensive rust repair on my first car, a 1967 Firebird. I pretty much replaced the back half of the car in 1993 (owned since 1978) due to Alaska's extensive use of salt in the winter. Be prepared for a lot of grinding down of welds. Like has been mentioned before do an area at a time to maintain as much structural integrity as possible and triple check measurements before cutting. The feeling when it is done and you know that you saved it is indescribable. I only have a few pictures that I can't find right now. The pictures were taken before digital so I didn't take many since it cost to get them developed lol

[GT182]

Too bad Dynacorn doesn't make the Pontiac A body for 66 and 67 seeing they are basely the same just for a start on Pontiacs. They had the right idea for a long time by making bodies so you have a great body to bring certain cars back to life. It's too bad they can't expand more.

[gokitty]

There is a super current thread/posting "My 69 GTO Convertible Body Off Restoration" thread that might give you some comfort/inspiration as to metal repairs. Oh... I checked and y'all are both in Texas and only an easily doable couple hundred miles apart. Road trip for pointers? Just sayin'.....

[stuta]

You must keep moving forward with that family history involved !

Good luck, and take lots of pix.
It'll make one hell of a photo album at the shows down the road : )

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by zmanabba

Just chiming in to encourage you. I too did extensive rust repair on my first car, a 1967 Firebird. I pretty much replaced the back half of the car in 1993 (owned since 1978) due to Alaska's extensive use of salt in the winter. Be prepared for a lot of grinding down of welds. Like has been mentioned before do an area at a time to maintain as much structural integrity as possible and triple check measurements before cutting. The feeling when it is done and you know that you saved it is indescribable. I only have a few pictures that I can't find right now. The pictures were taken before digital so I didn't take many since it cost to get them developed lol

Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement, I am going back and forth on whether or not to do the metal work myself

Originally Posted by gokitty

There is a super current thread/posting "My 69 GTO Convertible Body Off Restoration" thread that might give you some comfort/inspiration as to metal repairs. Oh... I checked and y'all are both in Texas and only an easily doable couple hundred miles apart. Road trip for pointers? Just sayin'.....

right on! maybe I can get some clues on what shops to use, because all the shops around here in Austin have been watching too many episodes of gas monkey and want to charge 125+/hr for metal work

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Captainofiron

..all the shops around here in Austin have been watching too many episodes of gas monkey and want to charge 125+/hr for metal work

I don't knock the body shop prices because after trying it myself, I have come to realize that it's hard work! And very time consuming. That said, I decided a long time ago to take $500 or $600 and buy a mig and give it a whirl. I figured the worst that I could do would be to screw it up, and it was already screwed up!... So what did I have to lose?
Fast forward to today and I have never regretted that decision. Finished my '68 and 2012 and it still looks pretty good.

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