[Munky King]

There are a few advantages of a back dated car. Including the galvanized panels and some would argue ‘boxes and engines. If you pull out some weight at the same time, that can only be a bonus!

I struggle most with the rear arch width on backdates, as I really like the narrow body style and handling, and that would mean a lot of messing with the rear quarter panel.

The RS backdate makes the most sense of the existing rear arch. You have to ask yourself if the car is a keeper or not. If it is, then you know you are starting with a good base that you’re not going to be pouring money into, only to find a big issue with the engine, hidden rot etc that you end up pouring more money into just to get back to where you were!

The ‘big boys’ always seem to start with a nice car, rather than the projects I’ve normally started with. I bet it saves them money in the long run, as they often don’t want to do it themselves so save the extra labor hours fixing up a ratty wreck.

If you are really careful, you could always make it reversible. Save the hood, fenders, bumpers, mirrors etc and use one of Getty’s long hood conversion hoods and fill panel. But I bet you never use them and they are tucked away on a shelf until you decide they are just too much in the way!