I found a 68 camaro that is in very dry shape but upon inspection under the carpet, it has had a new back half welded on . . .

Is this now nothing but a parts car???

Can this be fixed and if so, HOW???
How can I tell if the car was repaired correctly and is straight??

Ideas and help appreciated. :D

Thanks

Welds are stronger than the metal they are welded to.
Problem is rust and the metal surroundiing the weld.
I personaly would not own a car that was cut in two and welded back together but that's me.
Sorry to hear about this, did you buy the car already? Did you know it was like this before you boughtit? Usually cars like this will have a salvage title.

Guido

Actually 'clipping' a car is not uncommon in the collision industry.Its not a problem if done correctly. If you can tell its been done to your car,its probably not done right. Where is the seam? It should be seperated and reattached at factory seams.

Hey is this a LA car and was it Black with black int at one time with a black vinyl top? I had one that had been back halved and everything was good, but the overall finish quality. Car drove great. graemlins/waving.gif

I have back-halved several cars. I usually install the back half at the front "A" pillar and across the floor just behind the doors. To say that measurments are critical is a VERY BIG understatement. Properly finishing the seam, both inside and out, is also important if you don't want it to show everytime it is on a hoist. Otherwise it will stick out like a sore thumb. I used to have the only 64 AND 66 Mustang ever built, as far as I know.

Got any pics of this camaro?

the car is from california (Fresno area). . . It is missing the front clip . . . but was an RS.
It appears to have been sitting for quit some time. It was a dark red with a vinyl top.

The interior is basically there . . . it is missing the trunk deck lid. No engine or trans but it is a standard trans car.

The car does not have a salvage title.

The seam is behind the front seats . . . more or less down the middle of the floor pan where the rear passengers would put their feet.
Probably done at the back of the doors.

Where would I take it if I wanted someone to check it to see if it is done right or is straight??

I would hate to see this car go to parts. :(

I found it while tracking down some parts for my 68 RS SS car.

Could I just have new floor pans welded in??
What about the rocker panels??
I have no pics of the car.

Thanks

You could measure the wheelbase too see if its the same on both sides. Also do an X measurement.

If the doors fit well, it is probably "in the ball park" and "good enough". I remember looking at a second gen one time that had chipped paint on the front sheet metal revealing a bright yellow paint under it, while the back half didn't have that. Then I noticed the doors were hitting the quarters AND the front fenders, LOL, not good. You could see the welding across the rockers, NOT good.

The trick is look where they thought no one would. Look at the edge of the "pinch weld" under the rockers where the inner and outer rocker mate. That is where you will see exactly where they welded it and you can inspect that. Then the roof, same thing, look where they thought you never would. That would be under the windlace on the posts. Inspect that and see if you can expose the weld under the trim. If these welds look "healthy" then it is very possible that they did a decent job. If there is rust and crap around the seam across the floor or a hacked over uneven line across the floor, forget it.

It is darn hard to do one of these jobs without showing something where the splice was made, most guys are just not going to take the time. If it looks that good without piles of plastic filler, then it is probably ok. The thing is, these areas are areas that most people would never look. It is not common for someone to look down the rockers when looking at a car. So because of this many bodymen wouldn't put a whole lot of time into it. On these "pinch welds" in the rockers and roof posts, you can't hide it with piles of plastic filler, so it is usually pretty easy to see where the work is or at least see that you can't see if you get my idea.

It could be a BETTER car than a lot of cars that most people would rather have, JUST because it wasn't sliced. I much rather have a well done spiced car than a rust bucket.

I agree with Martin. If the job was done correctly the car might very well show better measurement numbers than the factory due solely to the bodyman taking the time to make sure it was perfect. He is also correct about the welds showing where most people would never look.

Are you sure yur not just looking at floor pan repairs?

Originally posted by ochrisl:
Are you sure yur not just looking at floor pan repairs? THAT is exactly what I was thinking :confused:

Hmmm . . .
The car has no rust in it so I would not suspect a floor pan repair.

I can see the place where two separate floor pan pieces overlap where welded.

I am guessing this was probably done many, many years ago as the car looks as if it has sat for a long time (like 20 years??).

Would a front end alignment shop be able to do the measurements you are talking about??

So if it seems to be straight, then you guys think I should salvage it??

I was thinking of using one of the 1/4s on my car but thought through it a bit and thought it might be worth saving . . .
I paid very little for the car . . . so either way I can't lose on it.

I am in the middle of selling a house that closes on June 2 so I can't get a look at it for the next week or so.
I will get a better look at it and let you guys know more about the splice.

Look at the spots I mentioned. The heck with the measurements, if it isn't done right I don't care what the measurements are and if the measurements are right but it is done wrong it is junk as well. First and formost is the quality of the work, be damned measurements. graemlins/waving.gif