Paul that is what I was thinking when everyone said to start hunting for a roller. It could be a great learning tool and I think you guys are all correct in that as much as I love working on the car I do want to spend as much or more time practicing my heel and toe rather than becoming an expert welder. I have been affraid of stripping the paint off and finding boat loads of rust underneath for some time now.

then there's the structural integrity issue, even repaired, (because you will never get it as good as it was) if you got in a serious accident.

But in the end you will have learned an awful lot about welding

Looks like the verdict is in... After you acid dip that (really the ONLY way to do it) if it's that bad, would leave a bunch of barely hanging on body parts. Of the rust through you see, count on doubling that, that you can't see. Early long hood... Yep, save it... 76'... Find an SC roller...

nobody let zeke see that, he may start looking for a bridge.

So who are the 10 (at this count) who said 'save it?' :)

Simple math. Start with what you want. A ten? Eight maybe? Then

add your number of decades experience, divide by 3, subtract one for each $10,000 dollars of spare cash, add the number of "keep it advisors" who are willing to help you, subtract 20 from the years you have to live, subtract the sales price you would exect to get from selling the project and if you come out with a positive number, make it a negative integer, divide by 0 and add the number of ex-wives, then decide.

I'd suggest this as a solution to that car's problems:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1113011215.jpg

Jamie I was wondering the same thing. I am thinking it is guys that would get a kick out of me making a debauchery out of this project. So since I don't have a saw like that do I add that to my calculations?

I have a '73....When I got it, it had: a crushed quarter, rotted door pillars, rotted rockers, rotted sub rockers, rusted heating tubes, those little pyramid looking supports under the quarter were shot, windsheild/dash rot, fenderjoining panels were toast, rear window frame rot, battery boxes shot, lower right quarter, door skins shot, luggage compartment cover perforations, engine cover perforations, and a dozen minor rust repair items requiring a welder.

Honestly, it didn't look THAT bad when I got it. If the floors or suspension pan were shot, it would have been nearly impossible, for me as an amatuer...but 9 months of nights until 3 AM and weekends totaly immersed in body work resulted in a car I could actually drive.

It was a HUGE lesson. It looked OK, but the rot I initially saw was the tip of the iceberg. I knew how to run a welder, do seam splitting and repair, and properly reweld parts on, as well as fab up panels that didn't exist, and spray, but it was so time consuming.

Knowing what I know now, I was lucky to pull it off with any grace at all! HUGE undertaking for someone with experience.

I urge HUGE caution. It isn't fun work...although there is immense satisfaction when you finish. But...there are a million little bits of knowledge that you'll need, and you will need them before you tackle a task, not after. It will be more than time consuming.

Bottom line? IF this car has HUGE sentimental value, then go ahead, but enlist knowledgable assistance. Otherwise, pass.

My "barn project" in assembly: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1113020595.jpg

Looks great!!! Another 73 saved. Long live the long nose... Now THAT is a worthy project... :D

Just an update guys. Well I heeded the advice of most people that replied, and found a car that fit what I was looking for. I bough it from a fellow pelican. The Carbs need a good going through and the oil lines need to be replaced. All parts I have ordered from our host, Thank-you. It needs some work which is OK by me but compared to the 76 it looks much better, and actually runs! ! It is a 1980 SC carbed / electromotive tech -1 3.0, but I think I am going to replace the 3.0 with a 3.2 that I purchased for the 76 project. Just an easier set-up with my frequent altitude changes from 5,000 to 10,000 ft. I thought, really have no idea, that carbs would be difficult to keep in tune with that much atmospheric change. Winter projects are to replace the winshield gasket (it leaks), and maybe the headliner, uuhhh don't really want to do it but it could use it, and the dash terrible plastic cover. Thanks for your input. Still considering taking my time and learning on the 76.

Thanks again for giving me your sound advice.

Oh and in the back-ground you can see the barn that the 76 sat in for 18 years! And its fellow barn friend of 20 years was the 70's blue benz 4.5L engine in that thing! I guess that is where the fun cars end up when you have 3 kids!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1125444297.jpg