Looks like there won't be much left after cutting the cancer. What's the story on the condition?

 

Owner bought it as it was his dream car. Didn't really understand how bad the condition was/is. Everything forward of the windshield and everything aft of the rear window will be replaced.
Here's the repair list:

1 Piece floor pan
add 2x torque boxes
replace trunk transition
replace both rear frame rails
replace both rear qtrs
replace both trunk drop offs
replace taillight panel
replace pass. side sail panel
replace both front frame rails
replace both shock towers
replace all panels in engine bay
salvage and patch core support
replace driver side rocker
replace cowl
replace firewall
repair/patch pass side B-pillar
repair/patch driver side A-pillar
repair/patch numerous rust holes around front windshield area
repair/patch numerous rust holes on bottom of rear window area
replace both wheel-tubs and mini-tub to the max allowed to use rear fold-down seat and fiberglass without modifications to them.
spray raptor liner on underside, front fenders and wheel-wells

 

Can't wait to see progress of the work, but man, I'd hate to see the cost to make those repairs.

 

Sounds like you'd be far better off buying a Thoroughbred GT 1965 structure.

 

If I told you the price I'm doing this for you'd think I was insane.
After all repairs are finished and including the purchase price, he is still well under the cost of a dynacorn body.

 

You are far too generous. So when can I drop off my 65 fastback? After his, mine will be a piece of cake! LOL I'm guessing $500 or so?

 

I try to be extremely competitive with my prices. I do this for the enjoyment and helping people get their babies back on the road. But yes, my wife also reminds me constantly that I'm being way too "generous" with my prices lol!

 

First update...

Cut off the rotten front clip. I'm going to be able to salvage the core support and it's easier to get it out and cleaned up off the car.

Engine was pulled and rockers were flushed out with some water/power purple mix. Before it goes up on the jig I like to flush out the rockers with a phosphate solution. I snake a painting wand into the rockers to paint the insides and a good phosphate bath will kill off the rust on there and make the paint take much better.

Removed the windows and wire wheeled the frames. Rust everywhere, many, many patches will be needed.

Got a surprise from the shipping company. Parts were due on Tuesday but they showed up 4 days early, NPD for the win.

Next step is going to be plasma cutting out the large chunks of the rotten panels. This makes the car lighter and makes removing the welds much easier as you are only dealing with small strips and not balancing large panels.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA this is officially my favorite pic I have seen in a long time! Awesome!

 

Don't know if its for veterans day, but all the packing paper was camo ha ha

 

Since you have to go that far with it, why not install a pair of convertible inner sills. They will stiffen it up much more than sub frame connectors.

 

I offered it to this customer but he didn't want it. Didn't even want the one-piece seat pan that is made for coupe/fb installed, just the normal stuff. I'll have to talk to him again as he just told me he wants to drop a 500+hp motor in this.

The next car I have lined up will be a 65 fb that is getting all the road-race tricks, convert inner rockers and all. You can see the box with them inside, they are in the long thin box to the right of the boxes picture.

He provided a set of subframe connectors from AJE for me to install. I usually only recommend the TCP sub-frame kit as it's so burly and has the option for a really nice x-brace.

 

That's a heck of a project. Looking forward to seeing it come together.

 

3rd update time...

Chopped alot more rust out.
I prefer to cut out as much rust as possible while the car is off the jug frame. This is of course as long as the removal doesn't affect the ability of the car to hold its shape as it's lifted onto the jig.

Had another chat with the owner, looks like we have a few added goodies on the list:

1. Convertible rockers
2. Shaved drip rails
3. Replace rear deck filler panel
4. Attach/weld permanent 1/2 fuel rail through one convertible rocker so that it will have AN-8 fittings opening up into the engine bay and trunk.
5. Create a pathway through the other rocker for electrical to pass through.

Next should be mounting on jig frame.

 

RoboticServo, any chance I could get you to do my trunk floor, tail light panel and battery panel on my '73 convertible ? I'm in Houston and no hurry. I have a car trailer and could bring it to you. I already have the panels but short on that thing called time.
Thanks, Curtis

 

No problem, I'll shoot you a PM.

 

Update time...

Loaded up the car onto the jig frame. Attaching the car up to the mating struts was a bit problematic. The shop that was working on the car before me used a plasma torch to slice out the suspension, this lead them to welding half of the forward leaf-spring bolt to the frame rail on both sides.

After a bit of careful grinding and a few minutes with an impact gun, I was able to free up the spots needed for the locating struts.

Pulled out the heater box and got the OK from the owner to sell this off along with his original steering column w/ box, 1970 code stock headers, fan, and the two shock-tower braces. If you want them I'll be posting them up in the parts section.

Next will be cutting out whats left of the firewall through the trunk pan. I will be welding in convertible rockers, then sub-frame connectors, front frame sections, etc...

I've thrown in a few pictures of the rust along the window openings (front and rear) along with a pic of the 'repair' someone did before the car was brought to me.

Looks like the car was hit in 3 places over the years, passenger front, passenger rear quarter (t-bone style) and then lastly dead center on the gas cap. The frame is tweaked pretty bad, luckily(?) we are removing so much of the car that it wont matter.

Owner also dropped off a sump pan, looks like I'll be welding a sump onto a stock mustang gas tank.

Thanks for looking!

 

I am in Austin too.....looks like you are doing this at your house. You don't have a shop?

 

I used to, in San Diego. I moved back to TX about 2 years ago and have started taking on projects on the side. Luckily I was able to keep all of the major tools and bring them with me. So between my 2-car garage and storage I have all the tools needed for car fabrication. I'm up in North Austin, where you located?

 

I am in Southwest Austin.

 

If you are ever up near Cedar park/Leandar, drop me a PM and you could stop by and talk shop

 

Thanks. My son lives in Cedar Park.

 

He can stop by too... Unless he's a chevy guy hahaha!

 

Like the person in Ill., who installed the top of a fstbk to a good
coupe.

 

yelostang, Sorry I don't follow?

The car had "work" in progress being done to it. But it seems like a lipstick on a pig type of repair plan before I got it.