Front inner frunk/fender sheetmetal repair help

[911finally]

per picture I found a a rusted section on the inner fender frame where the battery is placed on driver's side. The outer bumper mounting section marked with blue arrow can be bought for ~$250. My question is - what advice do you have on getting something to replace the rotted through section?
- scour dismantlers private or 'retail' for a donor section as I've marked out in red?? How large a section would you recommend?
- am I likely stuck trying to get a section fabricated and welded in?

Any advice on approach or source of replacement piece before I start doing WTB ads etc, would be very helpful. I'm in the greater Boston/Northeast area.

Thanks in advance!

[john walker's workshop]

Get everything off inside and out and grind and cut back the rusty metal just enough to get to good metal. You may get lucky and just need to fab a section from sheet metal. Otherwise, Restoration Design should have the repair panels. Make a template so you get the wiring holes, etc in the proper place. cover the windshield too.

[chrismorse]

Great suggestions John, I just completed a frunk gutter repair, using pieces cut from a restoration design panel, welded in, primed, bondoed and primed again.

Where you have complicated/compound curves, it is easier to section out what you need from one of restoration design's panels, adding a bit of metal here and there.

I would cover not just the windshield, but the whole car, when grinding, to avoid pitting the glass or the paint.

I would get a friend that is experienced in body metal work to do the welding/forming, or if you have time to learn and bucks for the equipment, go for it.

John's suggestion to make a template for the electrical/plumbing is going to be a real time saver.

I'm off to the garage,
:-)
chris

[911finally]

thanks guys, yes I plan to have someone who has welded before (hopefully a few times ) do the work if I can source them the panels.

I read the HEavy Metal 'steel' resto thread and this is one of the things he did early and no way do I have those skills! It look like he cut and shaped his own flat steel.

Appreciate the steer. Windshield and all glass is out and fenders/bumpers off too so thanks for al the advice. I'll post results pictures later!

[911finally]

so this https://www.restoration-design.com/store/product/PP236FL

plus the bumper mount section (blue arrow in pic) that welds on to above?

[pete3799]

Originally Posted by 911finally

so this https://www.restoration-design.com/store/product/PP236FL

plus the bumper mount section (blue arrow in pic) that welds on to above?

That is what you need along with the bumper mount piece.

I did this same repair but on the pass. side a few years ago (need to do the drivers side at some point). I managed to save my bumper mount and fabed what sheet metal i needed to replace.

[911finally]

Originally Posted by pete3799

That is what you need along with the bumper mount piece.

I did this same repair but on the pass. side a few years ago (need to do the drivers side at some point). I managed to save my bumper mount and fabed what sheet metal i needed to replace.

Thanks and Phew! The whole inner panel is nearly $3grand, these 2 pieces are ~$500 which I can handle fortunately.

[Harpo]

I just sent you a PM about some repair panels. LMK