The SSRS convertible I recently bought has had the quarters, rocker panels, door skins and front fenders replaced. All the floor pans have big holes. The trunk needs replaced. The frame rails at the rear[I think is what they're called]has thick flakey rust where the shackles connect. The center body mount bolt under the front drivers floor is loose and can be spun around by hand. There may be more that needs repaired too.

I'm looking at finding someone to at least do enough to keep the car from falling apart from the rust. First thing is anybody got a guess at how much money any or all should cost to make the repairs. I can strip the car down but I don't have any welding repair skills. I've also noticed that a complete floor pan is being made. Is that a good thing to use or is it better with 2 or 4 smaller pans for the floors? I've heard that there's someone localy that mostly replaces rusty sheet metal and floors so I thought I'd contact him but I think I need to get a little knowledge first.

I'd appreciate any guesses at cost and any suggestions at how to go about getting this done.

Thanks

I do rust repair and in most cases, 25% parts and 75% labor. Went and looked at a rs/L30 67 convert. and it need floors, rockers (all three panels), quarters, trunk, trunk dropoffs, rearpans, doors, wheel wells (inter and outers)
and who knows what else had rust on it. If someone brougth that car to me to fix it would be 12 to 13K. And thats at 40 bucks an hour shop rate.
Pat

Well if you worked on your welding skills and are willing to learn and ask questions on metal fitting, massaging, etc... You might be able to do this yourself. Many will always advise against this but it if you have atleast good hands on skills, this might be a good option for you and much easier on your wallet. On the other hand, if you have the money then you might always want to contact a professional about this because it might be easier for you also. It all depends on how you feel about this situation in my opinion.

I took my Camaro to a man that replaces panels on old cars that I mentioned above. He said that once you start you keep finding more that needs done. He wouldn't give me a quote but when I asked him if it would maybe be 7 or $8K he said yes or more.

I've seen the new 1969 convertible bodies in the Classic Industries catalog for $10K. He suggested that might be a better way to go. Does anyone know if you can put your old cowl tag on these bodies or do I need to check with my state mvd? I've always wondered if those bodies would make a Camaro a kit car using them. I'm just trying to get some ideas. Another option would be to see if I could at least replace/repair the loose center subframe mounts to make the car less likely to have structural problems. At this point I wouldn't mind just making it a safe driver. I've heard that convertibles can basically bend or distort beyond repair if you're not careful.

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas.

Im going out on a limb here but I say YES slap on the cowl tag. I ve seen so many high option cars like your that have "every single panel" replaced, I dont see how a Dynacorn body can be any different. Now if you had a base convert. and wanted to by a body and a fake or real tag and put it on then that would be fraud.