OMG this rust is bad - but how bad is it?

[heimtun]

OK - I know this rust is bad - really bad - there are holes .
Question are:
How bad is it?
Can it be repaired?
Will it be worth it?
Is this spot too structural?

[McLaren-TAG]

That's half way to becoming a speedster.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by heimtun

OK - I know this rust is bad - really bad - there are holes .
Question are:
How bad is it? Bad, and there's much more you cannot see.
Can it be repaired? Yes
Will it be worth it? Depends on your budget, condition of the rest of the car, uniqueness of the car, current value of the car, and if you want to keep the car.
Is this spot too structural? No, but complete reveal of all the rust will be needed.

Simple answers in red, above, just to get things started.

[porsche930dude]

If youre planning on paying someone else to do it forget about it. unless the car is just about free.

[ThomO]

Probably just the tip of the iceberg. I think restoration design sells that part but is what lurks beneath.

[stewartjp]

Wow that looks really bad, I hate to think how bad the Kidney Bowls and sills are on this car!

[NICE 69 S]

If you already own this car, take everything off of it and assess the damage. If it is too much to stomach, sell everything you can and then sell the chassis as a donor.
If it isn't that bad, fix and re-assemble.
What year and model is it?
Bob B

[christiandk]

Well that panel is not hard to replace, I m told. But it all comes down to what other rust has eaten the car.

[jittsl]

My experience is that anything on the outside is 1/10 of what you will find inside. Everything can be fixed, most panels are available. Anything beyond that Is pure conjecture.. Need to know model, value, plans and a million other things.

[heimtun]

Thanks for your input. The car is not unique - it's an SC. Is being sold locally. I've not yet seen it and do expect to find more rust. The interior is trash. I can see rust in gauge bezels. The seller says it ran and drove OK when he last used it. It's been sitting for a few years after it started having electrical issues.
I know it's hard to judge - but I'm trying to get a handle on its value.

[Jcslocum]

Run away. FAST! Even if it free, the saying will be the same:

There is nothing more expensive than a free(cheep) Porsche.

[GH85Carrera]

With that much rust on the poor car I suspect the rest of the car will be worse. That is what is up top. I bet the underside is far worse.

Run away fast. Unless you want to learn how to do rust repair and you have a deep wallet and lots of spare time.

Just find a clean no rust car and you will save a ton of time, money and blood sweat and tears.

[ossiblue]

While it is true that visible rust is only the tip of the iceberg, the picture you posted shows severe rust which resulted, most likely, from a leaking windshield seal. If we assume this is the only area of rust, the repair is certainly doable and not cost prohibitive. Rust in this area does not necessarily mean the entire car is rusty, that determination must come from a thorough inspection.

Give us a bit more information about the condition of the rest of the car (as well as ownership status/price being asked), and the opinions offered will carry more weight.

[wayner]

I would check the door hinge posts. All that water had to go somewhere and you already know the dash/ guage cluster is shot

[Lapkritis]

The answer depends on who you ask... if the idea of a body project makes you ill then it's probably too much. On the other hand, if you look at the project as a learning experience where you can pick up new skills and take pride in turning it into a treasure then this might be the car for you. Do you build your toys or buy your toys?

[allaircooled]

I'm on my phone and can't see where you are located. Major rust, electrical issues, trashed interior with rust on the inside, could this be a hurricane Sandy car?

[Lapkritis]

He's Southern Connecticut. Sandy cars could be in any state by now.

[wayner]

Exhibit "A"

Why windshield trim should be a regular maintenance item.

[allaircooled]

He's Southern Connecticut. Sandy cars could be in any state by now.

Didn't know if he was in Australia or something. Anyways that's the first thing that popped in my mind when op mentioned owner quit driving after electrical issues and the other nice details. My opinion is to find another car. Heck mine was free and it is still expensice to fix up.

[millermike]

I got the pics from the seller. He also raised his price too. If I were as close as you I would bring a battery and see if it starts up. If it does I would haggle a little and buy it.