i'm about to start on my '71 chevelle again. the car needs both 1/4 panels and a trunk pan, and probably needs some work around the rear window.
i've decided to try to hang the panels myself (i used to spin wrenches for a living, but bodywork is another story, so this could be interesting).

i plan to pull the body off the frame, so my question is this. should i pull the shell first, set up my suspension, brakes etc, put the body back on the frame and do the sheetmetal work, or do the metal work first, and then pull the body off? which plan seems like a better idea?

this car will not be a show car, i'm building it to drive hard and do some open track days (and maybe a vintage hillclimb or two), but i do want it to look OK.

thanks,
chris

I'd do the body work and sheetmetal work on the frame before the suspension work, that way you dont get any welding splatter on new parts, nor overspray on the frame. On the frame so that you dont have any flex in the shell while having quarters off. Then do the frame work, and place the body back on and do the finish body work. Thats just my opinion though. I did the frame first, and had the body work done after, so now I have to clean up the frame and overspray.