After purchase disapointment

Yep, I have been burned as well. I once bought a car with sheet metal tacked over the rotted frame rails. I was to busy seeing the big block 4 speed convertible, not looking at the bondo in the quarters and rotten frame. I too am an aircraft mechanic (rotary wing) with 25 years in the industry. I feel your pain.

Honestly though, in the big picture, your car has been like that for 25 years, apparently with no problems. Go racing and have fun. Don't loose sleep over it, get out their and put a grin on your face. If it really bothers you and you don't want to try to take care of it yourself hire a good mobile welder to come over and fix up the nasty looking welds, then you will feel better about it and your valuable time is still yours. My opinion is do not take the car apart or you may never get out there and have the fun racing that you want. Nothing in life is perfect, but you do have the car to right now go racing.

:burnout: