Change of plans.

[RSie]

I bought a notchback shell. I'm going to use my red notch for parts The incredible folding Cuda!
There were some on here who were encouraging me with the red car, and I hope you aren't disappointed in me.
At the end of the day, I was thinking more and more that I could never really trust this car even if I did manage to get all the rusted out parts replaced or patched. I think there would always be a part of me worried about every little noise.. is that a weld breaking? If something did happen and I hurt someone else or a passenger I would never be able to forgive myself. I know I'd never be able to sell it, I'd never feel comfortable with that.
Maybe I would have been ok if I'd had experience welding/fabricating.
It got to the point I looked at the car with a sense of dread. It was either get a different car or sell everything.
Then I found this shell, and bought it from FABO member @barracudakid - and to you thanks again! (if you need 67-69 Cuda parts, this is the guy you need to talk to!)

I feel really excited to get to work on this... I haven't felt that way in years.

For those of you that have sent me tools, supplies or parts please be assured I will still use them (and thank you again!).

 

[George Jets]

Labor of Love

☆☆☆☆☆

 

[Murray]

Everyone that has built a car has had to make many hard decisions. This is one of many.

 

[Dartnut]

You will never regret it.
Some cars are just too far gone to fix.
Bad unibody rust is usually the main factor.
Sometimes it's better to use the project car as a parts car for a decent body...

 

[RustyRatRod]

Disappointed? Heck Ron, we're glad to see you're still kickin. lol

 

[Professor Fate]

I can see why you'd be more comfortable with your new shell. Looks solid! Now git to work!

 

[volaredon]

You will never regret it.
Some cars are just too far gone to fix.
Bad unibody rust is usually the main factor.
Sometimes it's better to use the project car as a parts car for a decent body...

My son ended up doing just that on his 72 c body wagon.

 

[Kern Dog]

How about some pictures of the red car?

 

[Kern Dog]

 

[Syleng1]

Honestly- I’m not sad or mad or unhappy at all. I took like 17 cars to rebuild my 66’ most were already slated to the junk yard crusher so some parts were saved and some were bought just to resell. The fact you are able to save one and the other is parts is a blessing because both COULD had been (in someone else’s hands) destroyed never to be seen again.

I have a decal from back in the 80’s in my tool box at work:
“Any one can restore a car, but it takes a real man to cut it up.”

I never knew how true that actually was until I was forced to make those hard decisions.
Good luck!
Syleng1

 

[RSie]

How about some pictures of the red car?

View attachment 1716437194

View attachment 1716437195

View attachment 1716437196

The A-pillar worried me the most.

 

[MOPAROFFICIAL]

The red cuda was painful work, so you spared yourself is all... I understand.
Do any of us really seek out practically building a body from scratch? probably not..

 

[RSie]

I can see why you'd be more comfortable with your new shell. Looks solid! Now git to work!

I see you are from Wisco as well so you probably hate rust as much as I do lol. The car is really solid underneath. It's nice to not have to worry about fixing frame rails and crossmembers! And don't worry, my wife has turned into a garage widow once again

 

[Professor Fate]

I see you are from Wisco as well so you probably hate rust as much as I do lol. The car is really solid underneath. It's nice to not have to worry about fixing frame rails and crossmembers! And don't worry, my wife has turned into a garage widow once again

Oh, yeah. Did one that needed frame work a few years back. Never again, I'm not that young (or patient) anymore. I could've built a full frame for it (ala stock car) in less time than it took to fix that one. Takes the fun out of it after a while. Live and learn! Looks like you'll be relieved to be working with solid metal again, even if it does need a patch here and there.
Enjoy, and keep us up to date on your progress!

 

[RSie]

I got the rust on the roof delt with, sanded and grinded with some paint remover discs. Washed if off with some simple green, dried it off and soaked with Ospho. Going to clean it later and spray on some rustoleum clean metal primer. Not prepping for paint, just want to stop the rust.
Damn, I'm having fun again working on this '67.

 

[RSie]

Had the day off and finally one where it wasn't raining, so gave the ospho on the roof a quick sand with some 150 grit, blew it off with the air hose and wiped it down with 91% alcohol. Then spray bombed with Rustoleum clean metal spray cans, 3 coats. Cleaned up the A-pillars and slopped on some Rustoleum rusted metal primer with a brush.
This message brought to you by Rustoleum.

 

[69conv]

Oh look, real metal!

 

[Professor Fate]

Oh look, real metal!

Yeah, solid metal is like gold up here in the frozen tundra.

 

[str12-340]

you made an excellent choice..

 

[RSie]

Working on the underneath of the deck/package shelf, knocking off the rust. Almost ready for Ospho, just need a less windy day.
It's been a few years since I laid in the trunk of a Plymouth. Getting back out is not a pretty maneuver