Restore or Not ... that is the question

[MoparDreamin]

Hello Everyone,

I recently picked up this car to use as a driver/beater. It has clean, driver quality interior, and runs pretty good. I am starting to really get a kick out of driving the vehicle, and I am thinking about restoring/restomodding it.


The problem is that the body is not so good. I am not a body guy, so I have no idea how to evaluate how much work it needs. Maybe you guys can help a brother out. It currently has a crappy respray of an unoriginal color. It is not straight at all ... pretty much all of the panels are screwy. It looks like it may have been in a collision after the crappy respray. The lower rear quarters need replacing. Floors are solid, trunk has surface rust, but no holes. There is a dent inside the trunk on the wheel well that I think is responsible for the crooked trunk lid. It has all of the trim, with maybe 60% being usable as is, and 20% percent needing recovery. Interior is very nice needing very little for the type of car that I want.

What should I do? Drive it death and then scrap/part it out or save it? FWIW, I have a 408 that I am building for my dakota but it might like to be in a 2900# car instead:snakeman:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YEVdfO2vWiWGC5JEUeXAUDOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NAm_ertMmA16O97KAcS4tDOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mQSPXlschEMpBmwgx3j9GjOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ECdSLf4dA01A0lu6Dr5AyDOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/04vgHbDD5AyIwwdMLQmLGzOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Y6CcjBnyOLOQmbNINYigWDOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2EJXMPPeojiS1cpdKoA8azOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7d6fCzzoTde77yudqeqgGTOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gOtrVpdERc38JcGB1WwWFjOPpGo9UXpwyypT4mKApZE?feat=directlink

Engine Bay, original color JJ-1 light turquoise

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UbQ42ImeOJXWgCHhnTcnwJm0Umf52OOgCkSODBeWQcE?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y3TcZ6JFGX6IEUAInz7Ww5m0Umf52OOgCkSODBeWQcE?feat=directlink

 

[oneway71]

Decent looking car why not save it!

 

[74scamp360]

looks like a pretty decent car, sure needs body work but if you don't wanna get into that someone would love that car! don't scrap it thats for sure

 

[alsdemon]

if it,s the type of car you want fix it up if not sell it to someone that want to keep it hell it 46 year old not bad for that old .you cali. guys are spoild.

 

[1964 hippo]

drive it like you stole it ! Then fix it.

 

[MoparDreamin]

Yeah, I really like this car. I was starting to get worried because none of the body shops that I talked to will touch it. Maybe its time for me to learn how to do some body work.

It's too fun to pull apart now, but I think that I might start a rolling resto.

How should I deal with those quarters for the time being? Can I just sand off the paint/rust and then hit it with some primer?

 

[toolmanmike]

Keep it, fix it, have much fun!!!!! toolman

 

[pettybludart]

Why wait,add 408 LOL!

 

[dustermaniac]

It's already got a V8 That's a great plus!!! Not a bad looking car. Qtrs are not that bad for the age of the car. Clean em up get the rust out and fiberglass them and paint em up. temporary fix for now, That car would be a sweet ride restored.

 

[ElFin]

hell it 46 year old not bad for that old .you cali. guys are spoild.

Ain't that the truth. That's considered to be like new, around these parts.

 

[PanGasket]

Are you kidding me? A car in that is in that good of condition would be considered a treasure in the southeast!!!! and that is one cool car for sure!!

 

[67DartGT340]

I would keep it and fix it up, looks pretty good and a survivor as well.

 

[Burntorange70]

Yeah, I really like this car. I was starting to get worried because none of the body shops that I talked to will touch it. Maybe its time for me to learn how to do some body work.QUOTE]


A lot of shops only like to do collision repair work. That is where the easy money is at for them. Keep looking. You will find one. It is a nice car. Does not look to be in bad shape to me. Driver yes beater no.