Hi, I have lurked around this site for a while now and I find it very imformative. I am considering purchasing a 70 Malibu however I am concerned about rust on the quarterpanels near the viynl top. When I inspected the trunk there was a moderate amount of rust on the inside. I guess my question is I would like a ballpark estimate on how much it would cost to make the car a hardtop and replace the portions of the quarterpanels that are rusted. I have taken photos of the damage and linked them below. Any other insight on other external repairs I might require would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Vroom Vroom

http://stuntastic1.homestead.com/files/ChevelleRust02.jpg

http://stuntastic1.homestead.com/files/ChevelleSide1.jpg

http://stuntastic1.homestead.com/files/ChevelleRust01.jpg

http://stuntastic1.homestead.com/files/ChevelleRear01.jpg

Theres probably alot of rust damage under there..probably also goes into the outer wheelhouse and lower quarter as well..possibly the floors too. The vinyl top is not a factory job but was added later to(coverup) hide damage repairs??..car may need quarters, wheel houses, floors trunk pan..you wont know untill you start striping the car and tear out the interior. Could cost a bunch to make it right..4-5K to do the quarters/wheel houses/trunk pan..maybe less if repairs are done to the panels instead of replacements...not for the weak at heart!!..

ALbert

The first question is how much for the car.
And Is this going to be your first car?
Does it run?

At the rust spot look or feel up inside the trunk to the quarter panel it looks like it may have been replaced at one time. watch out for sharp edges!

Look up at the floor boards to see if its rusted bad,and look at the frame.

Hi, Thx for the responses. To answer Sharpie, The asking price for the car is $3000. The owner said the car has been sitting for about a year. The car has a 307 engine. 110,000 mi. The car doesnt run. It currently has a dead battery and the owner told me it needed a new transmission. The rust on the inside of the car didnt appear to be that bad however the car was leaking from the back window when it rained presumably from the area shown in the pictures. I have another car which is my daily driver. I have $7000 available for immediate restoration costs. However if the tranny repair and bodywork would be more expensive than that I would be very reluctant to buy the car

Well, you could probably find a better Chevelle for $7k, but $3k selling price may not be fixed especially since it doesn't run.

Make a cash (and that is have the cash right there) offer somewhere around $1500-$2000. Also have a friend with a tow strap/dolley/trailer to take it as soon as he signs the title over.

Some guys get ticked if you short offer, others will refuse and end the conversation. He may consider it since it looks like it's in a apartment/condo area where long-term parking may be a problem.

I would not spend any of your extra $budget on the body rust repair right away. Get a rebuilt engine (350) and a rebuilt trans and drive it. Probably in the $2000 range to get the driveline, bushings, ball joints, tie rods, and brakes done which is NOT the sellers problem so don't bother mentioning it for the short offer.

But after it's running, I would start peeling back the top to see what you are getting into. the good thing about these chevelles, is as long as the frame is solid, you can drive with major rust in the body for a long time.


Good luck and keep us posted.

I'd say DG hit the nail on the head, $1500.00-2000.00 for it none running the main reason is you dont know IF it runs at all dont fall into the dead battery trick! Batterys arnt that much! bring a battery with you and some cables and get it started,If they dont want to get it running somethings wrong.