Hi. I know someone has been here before. The guy that I bought my 1969 Camaro SS Coupe from decided to weld on 80% quarters RIGHT OVER THE OLD RUSTED QUARTERS! --both sides to boot! The car also needs outer rocker panels, outer wheel houses, full trunk floor, and both full floorpans (without the tranny tunnel). The floor is actually not that bad, and only has small holes...so I figured to just put a whole new floor in and save some work while minimizing seams too.

My big question is: "Where do I begin?" What piece would be the smartest to do first? floors? rockers? trunk pan? outer wheel houses? or rear quarters? The rest of the car is clean and pretty much rust free. It was from Connecticut--to explain the rust... Never hit and never even tapped though--pin straight body and clean frame rails too. I bought a restored front subframe that was black powder coated. Pretty nice deal!

Thanks in advance.

Todd

Are there any experienced body welders in the house? Surely I thought I would get at least a few responses! :o Just need some advice and I can get going. I am scared to make that first cut. :(

The car has been up on jack stands since 1996 and I cannot wait to begin the resto...

Todd

Are there any experienced body welders in the house? Surely I thought I would get at least a few responses! :o Just need some advice and I can get going. I am scared to make that first cut. :(

The car has been up on jack stands since 1996 and I cannot wait to begin the resto...

Todd

Hi Todd,

I can totally relate to you on this. I just bought a matching numbers 67 RS that needs a bunch of metal too. Found myself asking the same questions. ..Where to start? etc.

The rockers are always where I would start. These are the main support members of the car. Weld on those outers,keeping the doors on for alignment purposes.

Once the rockers are in, I'd tackle the trunk. If you are insisting on the full one-piece pan with the braces,etc. (not the patch panel), know that this requires the removal of at least one frame rail, and/or inner wheelhouse. In other words,major PITA, but worth it in the end if you must go that way. (Ask me how I know! :) )

Once the rear is buttoned up, move to the outer wheelhouses,then the quarters(keep the doors on for this as well)- then the main floor of the car.


Hope this helps... Oh, and most importantly....get your tetanus shot booster before you start! If its as rusty as this one I just got, you'll need it! :yes::beers:

Todd, My 69 was a total mess to. I went in this order. Complete fire wall and
toe pans, outer cowls complete,upper complete cowl, new dash top, full floor,
full trunk, inner and outer trunk wheel wells, then replaced both rear quarters.
I then finished with outer rockers. I always kept the doors and original rockers
in place for reference. Oh yeah new frame rails, hell I should have bought a
dynacorn body??? It's been fun.

Whats one more layer gonna hurt, slap some full quarters on there.