Welding help

Too bad you don't live near me.
I would gladly help you out with this, but i live about a thousand miles away......
And i am a journeyman welder with a great love for these cars and have done lots of body repairs/welding on lighter sheet metal!
Maybe try an ad on craigslist if no one steps up here, but be aware of the hacks that will reply.
Insist on seeing their work first before you get them to work on your car.
That's my advice FWIW.
Tom.