Four quick questions for the gurus here:

1) My 'velle needs 2 full quarters, trunk floor (3 piece) and rear seat floor. I'm very smart, patient, mechanically inclined... but have never done bodywork or electrical welding. Am I getting in over my head to take this on myself? Are their any good how-to videos for hanging 1/4 panels?

2) In a '70, is there a correct order to replace those 4 sections? i.e. 1/4's first, then trunk... or vise versa?

3) I want to strip the paint off the car to see what work I really have to do. How do you strip down to bare metal and keep it that way for a prolonged time w/o allowing surface rust? Oil it?

4) I really have my mind set on a Miller Dynasty 200Dx TIG torch. I've never MIG'd or TIG'd, but have done my fair share of reading. If I go TIG, are the extra skills required to TIG weld just going to hurt me? In other words, should I just go MIG since it's easier to become proficient with? (If I go MIG, I'd probably be looking at a Millermatic 175.) I've done some basic gas welding... I've read that TIG is a very similiar approach/skills - not that I'm all that great w/ gas.

I think that a good mechanically inclined person can take on a project like yours provided they are patient and are willing to do the research by reading and/or asking questions from people that have done this type of thing.

I don't know if there is a "correct" order for replacing those panels, but someone here that has done it will certainly chime in with a recommendation.

Whatever you do don't put any kind of oil on the body of that car! As long as you are not one of those individuals who can touch a bare piece of steel and can watch the rust form, and you keep the car stored in a climate controlled area, you could let the car unprotected for a fair amount of time. The worst you would probably end up with might be a little light surface rust that would come right off with a little sanding.

As far as welders I would say a MIG hands down.

Start with the trunk floor first, then move your way out from there. Trial fitting and making adjustments for a proper fit are key to success with panel replacements of this type. A mig welder will be much easier for you to learn, Tig requires the coordination of two hands working simultaneously. If you've every gas welded with an oxy/acetylene torch you will find it is somewhat similar to tig in relation to puddle control and feeding the filler material in manually. Bob

Yea another bonus of going MIG is may be able to swing funding a small plasma cutter too! :D

With no prior experience, I bought a Mig welder then cut out and replaced most of the trunk floor and both quarter panels on my 65 velle. Take your time and you can do it.
I agree to start with the trunk floor, and after that cut off one quarter panel. Then remove outer wheelhouse, as it will inevitably require replacement or rebuilding.
Contact "70isfine" a poster to this site for his photos of how to graft quarter skins onto a 70 velle. Great photos, taught me how to do it.
After you strip paint to bare metal you should apply etch primer or expoxy primer immediatley thereafter. Search both terms in this forum for extensive debate on which is best.
In other words, buy a cheap primer gun and enter the world of incredibly expensive paint products to coat your chevelle. But get the basic paint tools now to apply primer so you cover all new and exposed metal as soon as possible.

Very helpful. Thanks!

Is it possible to do the trunk and rear seat floor while the body sits on the frame, or is a frame off approach (rotisserie) better/quicker/required? I was planning to keep the body on the unrestored frame until the major bodywork was done.

bhawk: Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for.

I did it, you can to. Take your time. I pulled the tank out of the car, cut out the trunk and replaced it first, then the rear pan under the rear seat. Leave the body on the frame, much easier to keep everything lined up. Then I went after one quarter at a time. Watch out for fuel lines, brake lines, braces, etc...

Do a search for MartinSr's basics of basics panel replacement in this forum. Great stuff, very detailed and helpful.

I'm working on my second one now and it is much easier once you've done it once. :D

I admire people like you who are willing to dig into the work. You will have alot more respect for your car when you do it yourself. It's the people who just buy a car already done or pay someone else an enormous amount to do it that makes me hurl. This is a great website for information and help with your restoration. Lots of good people here.
Good luck.
LJ

I was told by experienced resto people to do the major body work and welding of panels while the body remains attached to the frame to ensure correct alignments. After you install all your patches, then lift the body and do the underside cleanup and frame dipping or blasting, etc.

you might want to try this site http://www.goodmarkindustries.com/HomePage.html select projects then select chevelle project car they take you step by step replacing a rear qtr panel.good luck.