OK...so on this 65 Malibu I've got some serious rust issues. The area along the bottom of the rear window is gone...pretty much everything from that exterior filler panel to the rear speaker tray is gone. Also the area along the top of the windshield at the roof line is rusted through. Are there patch panels that will take care of these areas, or am I at the point of scrapping the car? Would some digital pictures help?
Thanks!!!
Chris

If you're trying to make money on the car ... forget it. If it is a labor of love, I think most people's opinion on this board would be, "yes, it is worth saving". Without seeing the pictures, it sounds like you've got a similar situation that I have with my 67 (entire trunk, inner fender wells, both sides of the roof top along the drip rail, both quarter sails and, of course, the rear window channel). I wish there was less rust damage in mine, but I still think it is worth it to fix it.

I've got the tools, this board (great how-to articles by MARTINSR), the ambition, the patience and the requisite touch of lunacy. Skill is helpful too, if you've got it, but not required. I think that with the first five things alone you can "Git-r done".

Pics would help a lot. Maybe you should post some so the experts here have something to go on to give a good assesment. Just make sure you make them small- not 600KB smile.gif

Cool! Pictures will come in the next few days!
Thanks!
Chris

PICTURES! Sorry for the low resolution.

http://www.villagephotos.com/browse.asp?selected=386202

The rust area that scares me the most is the top of the windshield frame. Any input?
Thanks.
Chris

WHOOPS! Try these instead-
http://www.villagephotos.com/viewimage.asp?id_=4035320

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewimage.asp?id_=4035301

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewimage.asp?id_=4035282

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewimage.asp?id_=4035283

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewimage.asp?id_=4035255

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewimage.asp?id_=4035256

Hey...does anyone recognize what those hideous seats are from or the console?

Thanks!
Chris

Grrrr! :mad:
http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=4035255

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=4035320

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=4035283

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=4035282

Hopefully these will work properly...having a bad computer day.

looks like quite a bit of rust there..... maybe try and take some of the outer sheetmetal off to see how deep it goes... especially around that dash area and rear package tray looks like cause for concern... also, how are the fenders/quarters/lower door areas? wheel well lips? etc etc

thats a parts car to me. Seems like the 64/5 cars can be bought for less than the 66 up cars and for the money and time you need to fix that I would find a better body and use that one for parts. Just my opinion but I would start with a better car unless there is something special about that one.

BOY,you'd better have ALOTTT of patience and know how to weld and fab metal.That's going to be a LOTTT of work :eek: Like droptop says,might be a parts car... ;)

Good Luck,

Rick

Well, the only thing special about it is that it was free (go figure huh?) and the rest of the car is in remarkably nice shape. Floors are solid, trunk and rockers are solid. If it weren't for the rot around the windows the car would be quite pristine (except the interior).
Chris

Originally posted by Greenacarina:
Well, the only thing special about it is that it was free (go figure huh?) and the rest of the car is in remarkably nice shape. Floors are solid, trunk and rockers are solid. If it weren't for the rot around the windows the car would be quite pristine (except the interior).
Chris WOW! Did that car spend time on a farm serving as a chicken coop?! ;)

Seriously, though. Part out the good parts, take that money and get a better car- mind you, it doesnt need to be perfect.. IF it was needing a few floor patches and a 1/4 panel, I could see putting money, time and effort into it. BUT those areas are REALLY rusty and are for the most part beyond repair. And sure enough, those rusty areas are doing nothing but hiding more rusty areas..Sure, it was free, but remember- your labor, time, and the parts needed to repair it are NOT free.

Rear window rot is pretty common on chevelles, but that rotted out area in front of the dash is a new one to me! More than likely, there is NOT a patch panel for that, and it would need to be fabbed up. I'm sure others will chime in, good that you posted pictures- its easier to give a more honest assesment that way smile.gif

I dont know about you guys but to me theres just some thing scary about working on cars that have been open to the weather the interior that is. I know that dash is available for 66-67 but not sure for yours. you will need an all new interior. find out if the parts are available and if the rest of the metal is decent it may be worth it. hows the frame suspension motor drive train ect. chances are it will all need to be rebuilt bushings ect. your best bet is to find some one that has a car thats been worked on and all the hard expensive stuff is done and he wants to get rid of it.