Survivor car

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Not sure the back story the guy who owned it had dementia so I could not get much info
 
The paint question depends on your end goal for you. Are you going to sell it? If so I would go through the engine and, make the engine pretty. I would repaint the engine compartment while its out get it road worthy...brakes...new tires on the original wheels and move it on down the road.

If you plan on keeping the car then I would do the above and drive it for a year or so. The problem is if you dont get on that rust soon its just going to get worse. It looks like the rust would be super easy fixes right now but, it won't be so easy in a couple years.

That's my 2 cents...SAWEET FIND!!!
 
I'd say that the rust on there is fine for driving around, in fact it gives it character. It's only when there are holes you can put your fingers through that it should be repaired, IMO. Even though the body isn't perfect, it's still better than 99% of the other unrestored cars out there which makes the car something extra special. Very few cars still have their original panels, never mind their original paint and there are less and less every year. as someone comes along and want's to make their car "like new" or "show quality" and then erases all the car's history and character.

Personally, if it was my car, I'd keep going on bringing back the original paint and then preserve as much as possible.
Since the engine is out, I'd pull the oil pan and heads, check the bearings and cylinder walls, and if they look ok, I'd just re-seal the engine, install new freeze plugs and use it as is. I wouldn't even paint it, just carefully clean it.
 
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superbeesrt8 said:
Well I got the motor out of the car there were a few rusted out freeze plugs cleaned the block and found the car to have a numbers matching motor and transmission I found 4 broadcast sheets in the car it the car cleaned up some there is some rust on the top of the passenger fender and couple small spot on the rear quarters but still has all the original paint on the outside the inner fenders have been repainted would you repaint there complete car down the road or is it worth more money with original paint

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I agree 100% with above post ^^^^. It is also more fun to drive in the current state. Redoing the car now will put you back a long time and money, and then you have to be super careful. My car is in similar shape and is so much more fun this way.
 
I would put those build sheets in ziplocs and put them right back where you found them. The mice got in my car one winner when it was stored for 13 years and chewed up one of the build sheets I put the other one in a safe spot along with the remnants of the first and well that's the last I saw them.
 
For preserving paper the best might be
a) a good quality scan to pdf.
b) storage in an acid free folder. Or a regular folder with some acid buffered sheets. Tehre's a number of companies that sell stuff like for archival materials.

I'd stay away from the plastics, even archival ones (eg mylar) unless you know the enviroment will stay fairly cool and dry.
 
These valuable cars --- like this first year Duster 340 which I love for it's understated presence and giant killer nature when in good tune --- ARE ONLY ORIGINAL ONCE!!!

You have received great advice and insights in this thread ---- it's your car --- but as a guy who has been down this road ---- my advice - keep it ORIGINAL and DRIVE IT...

Thank You for posting your experience --- Thank You for keeping this hobby alive !
 
I wonder if you could have the rust areas repaired and the paint blended? If the car has been inside for a long time it shouldnt be faded. Also, your repair ares are low. The body lines will help hide the new paint. Just a thought so you can keep as much original paint as you can.
 
All broadcast sheets are the same I did not find any in the front seats behind the back seat and I left that one there 2 under the drivers side carpet and 1 above the glove box
 
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