Slicing & Dicing the new '72: Good & Bad News

[dtw]

I blasted home 150 miles from my client today to catch 40 minutes of daylight. Of course, I used this opportunity to do what I do best; slice up perfectly good (??) 911s. Found some good news & bad news. The inner rockers on my car are in fantastic shape and will need no repairs (except a weld bead where I accidentally cut one up..). But then I found bodge jobs on my driver front/rear fenders and door. Check 'em out:

This is someone's idea of a fender repair. I found these *****ty patches underneath half an inch of bondo. They didn't even bother to cleanly cut out the old metal!! Just patched it from behind, hammered it down, and slathered on the filler. Blech!


Here's the rear quarter where it joins the lockpost. I have no idea what they were thinking. More crappy patching like the front, and plenty 'o bondo! I just sliced the whole thing off out to the wheel arch. It'll be easier to graft in a clean section from a front-collisioned donor.


Last one: This is my car, 1.5 cutting wheels later. The good news is visible here: Rock Solid inner rockers. No gaping wounds like my first project, Mr. Hyde. The jack tube support is kinda messy, but I ordered a set in anticipation of that.


New rockers are in the living room staying warm; I'm talking to Partwerks of Chicago now about some donor car slices to fix up the quarters. Not sure what to do about the door; I'm considering reskinning both the doors. I have an old POS door I can practice on; I'll see how hard it is to remove the original skin and make a decision after that.

[Tim Walsh]

looks like you're progressing nicely.. I can't wait to see it on the road

Dave, looks good. Wanna come to Dallas for a weekend????? Free beer.

[racemor]

Dave that looks really familiar! When mine was stripped down last summer they found hammered in areas like you mention but then they were packed with cardboard(!!) and filled. Another area under the drivers rear quarter window was pop riveted fiber mat and filled bondo pefore paint. Right rear corner had been damaged and the repair welded with brass, a coat hanger maybe! I feel your pain man.

[jpnovak]

You have been busy. Very cool! Don't forget you will have to remove the fender to install the new rocker. This will also allow you to inspect the inside of the lower fender where the repair is.

It sounds like you have a source for the missing parts. Knowing a supplier that will do body cuts is a good thing. You might have to share that information. Keep us posted.

Jamie

[dtw]

Jamie-
I'm working with Partwerks of Chicago for sheetmetal cuts right now. There's been some somewhat lukewarm threads about those guys on the board, but they do me right every time. They have a pretty decent dismantling operating going that they don't seem to publicize. The stuff you always see on eBay is their NOS and used parts.

Mark-
Have a stack of 4.5" cutting wheels and some longnecks ready, I'm there!

Racemor-
I don't get it. If you're going to repair rust, repair it! Bodging it up with chicken wire and chewing gum does not a repair make! I feel your pain. Tonight I'll have to check but I think I have a slice from a fender lying around that should fix this area. I sure hope still have it.