... Also have seen a possible one that has some rust on top of front fenders and a little around rear quarter panel wheel area. Is this the usual scenario -- a little visible rust means a lot of unseen rust?
Yes. They usually rust from the inside out, because the factory did a poor paint job on the inside of the panels, and that is a place where trash & moisture collect. Search photos here and you will see rust horror stories, mostly from Europe and eastern Canada. Rust around the fenders and lower doors is typical, and the 1st place. After that, the C-pillar and rear window goes, then the front cowl which is very hard to fix, finally the frame rails (usually terminal). Don't think a Mopar thing. 60's Mustangs seem to be worse, and earned the name "Rustang". I would say 70's Jap mini-trucks are the worst. You only see them now in SoCal.
In many cases, I think people would be better to get a rust-free CA or AZ car and drive or ship it East. That would take less time than a year of patching rusted metal. Of course clean & paint the hidden areas before rust starts. I saw a nice 63 Valiant for $800 on cl a week ago, w/ almost new interior. Just needed the fusible link fixed.
