Body questions - Ugly ( a bit long)

Argeo · 09-15-2004, 06:23 AM

I am going to visit my friend tonight to lay out a plan of attack on my 77 911 Carrera 3.0 (relevant just because different body than 77 US. I am bracing myself for major work I was not anticipating. Anyways, the car is basically stripped. Every panel except drivers door has damage. Front fenders have rot holes at bottom like 1" X 1", covered by rocker panals (but now decided to keep RP off). Also, a couple pins hole size holes higher up (one on each size).

Car was in accident on right side so right door was smashed and pulled out and bondoed. The rear quarters are identical in condition. The sections above the rear lights were cut out and replaced (not whole quarters) messy weld and then bondoed over. I'm no body expert but I had no idea about the the rear quarter pieces being replaced. Also, above the bumper extensions, there is like an square inch of steel missing at the same location on both sides, in the middle where the quarter touches the bumper extenders. I had an idea the car had a rear accident because the back hood's lines were a bit off but no idea of the damage. The left rear fender lip has like a ripple effect going on also. One other thing, where the right drivers door meets the rear quarter, the rear quarter edge is rough. Was bondoed over so again I had no idea. Oh, forgot the rocker panal on the left side has a couple small rot holes also? Roof has a small dent which I would leave be and the hood should just need a very light skim of bondo in a spot on two.

Well, I am a bit sad at the moment. I was thinking I would have a bit of body work but nothing to this extent. My wife is gonna Shi%!? then she is gonna kill me. She thought it looked good before and thought I was mentally challenged to even do this. She's always right. Ugh! Anyways, my choice is either to fix some of the rot holes (weld) and bondo everything back to where it was before or put on blocks and wait years to complete. My neighbor thinks I should do the first, paint it a flat color which would be easy to match in the future and worry about it then. His thought is that the car is running great at the moment so why let it sit and let other problems occur. What do you think? I will learn how to weld for patches and stuff but as far as replacing rear quarters, that would well be above my future expertise so I will have to pay someone.

That leads to my second question, how much time (roughly) would it take someone who does this to accomplish? Ten hrs, 20 hrs.

What is an average price for used rear quarters/ front fenders ($200 - 250 a section sound right)?

Anyways, any advice or words of wisdom. Oh, I should mention that I am planning on keeping this car since we bonded (shoul I say bondoed) to much. It would make a great track car, no sunroof , manual windows (soon), and screams but I just can't do that.

Thanks for reading,

David

na2ub · 09-15-2004, 08:11 AM

Search the classifieds for new panels and bits, you can often find them at reasonable prices. Buy "911 restoration guide" or other body repair books. Time is your enemy. These projects tend to take forever to get things right. Good luck!

Doug

Willem Fick · 09-20-2004, 06:55 AM

I bought a great looking car a while back, thinking of doing a "rolling rebuild". First estimate was to have it doen in three months flat, then discovered much the same as you have i.t.o. rot.

Its now a year (and a lot of money) later, and I hope to have it complete before year-end. If it's not your only vehichle, and you have time/money/garage space, go for it! If not, perhaps wait a while, cause it is most certainly not a small job!

Argeo · 09-20-2004, 07:09 AM

Hi guys,

Full steam ahead. The car is stripped and come to find out in better shape than expected.

I took to my friend that is going to provide the guidance and some of the tools I will use and he said the car was actually in decent shape. Being a novice at this, he informed me that the rear quarters were just not worked on correctly and with a bit of help, I will be able to cut out most of the bondo. The rot holes which are all on flat areas he said to just cut out and replace (4 or 5 small patch jobs none bigger than 1 or 2 square inches). Boy, he corrected 75% of my back hood (not lining up) in like 2 mins. Still needs a little help but he showed me how to finish the job.

Anyways, I will get there and be done by spring (weather permitting).

Thanks, I can sleep again.

David