Hey everyone. I am new to the site and am looking at a '66 Chevelle for restoration project. Overall, the body is in good shape, but there is some rust on the back deck under the rear window. Is this something that can typically be fixed or does it usually require new parts to correct?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Welcome rdscut!
When you’re talking about repairing rust: metal replacement is always THE best way to repair it......on any car.
If you do a search in the body forum you will see a lot of discussions about this exact repair on a 66, as this is a common occurrence. The original design had no provisions to drain water out of the valley that the rear window is located in, so all of them usually rusted out here. The second part of that equation is that the water went into the trunk and caused rusted out trunk floors too.
Like I said; search in the body forums.....this panel is mostly referred as a trunk to rear window filler panel.

Thanks for the direction.

Make sure you check under the rusted rear deck, you might find something like this!!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/pezzman123/86c69f84.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/pezzman123/52a91871.jpg
All repaired and primed.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/pezzman123/blast2.jpg
More carnage!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/pezzman123/blast1.jpg
Notice the old hack job repair with the riveted on metal?
Of course it's all new now...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/pezzman123/dce6fd8e.jpg
All fixed and buttoned up.

I'm in Agoura! Welcome!

Ernie - thanks for the pics. This was a great help!

StorminNorm - looks likea really nice '66. You do the work yourself?

Ernie - thanks for the pics. This was a great help!

StorminNorm - looks likea really nice '66. You do the work yourself?

You are welcome sir... And yes, Norm's '66 looks sweet!

Hey Ernie; nice pictures......that was some hack job by a PO!

Your last picture (repaired)....it looks like your trim studs are attached to where the glass resides instead of the correct adjacent surface.....or is the picture deceptive by a wierd angle shot?

welcome aboard

Ernie - thanks for the pics. This was a great help!

StorminNorm - looks likea really nice '66. You do the work yourself?


Thanks! I work about 12-14 hours a day indirectly on it. ;)

...meaning I go to my job then pay someone far more qualified to do the work than me. I got it in Nov in pretty much good cosmetic condition. Body and pait was done in 2005 - I was lucky enough to get pics of the process. It was a budget job but at least I have documentation. Other than that, new carb, distributor, plugs. This coming week, new brake mc, booster, radiator / elec fan set up. A guy in Chatsworth does the work and does a great job. Meticulous. I'll do the little things but not the major things.


Tell us more about your car. Pics? Condition?

I'm still looking for something. I keep going back and forth between almost finished and project car. I would not be doing the work myself either, so the project car route is a bit intimidating at this point.

If you know anyone selling a '66 or '67 let me know. Body and paint already done, like you got your car, would be ideal. The motor, transmission, suspension brakes etc. I'm good with and can do myself. It's the body and paint that scares me.

Your last picture (repaired)....it looks like your trim studs are attached to where the glass resides instead of the correct adjacent surface.....

Wow! Now you have me worried. I kind of don't want to question the guy that is doing my car.... Maybe, one of the Chevelle guru's on this site can look at the pic and give me his .02 worth? I just don't know anyone on this site to ask. Maybe one of you guys do? Thanks, Ernie

Probably ground down welds...cant imagine anybody putting studs where the glass lays. guess it could happen? Relax,I would not worry to much until you can look at your car and see if they are in the wrong place!

Probably ground down welds...cant imagine anybody putting studs where the glass lays. guess it could happen? Relax,I would not worry to much until you can look at your car and see if they are in the wrong place!

The problem is that Im in Calif and my car is in Az! Can't just pop in and check it out!

I'm still looking for something. I keep going back and forth between almost finished and project car. I would not be doing the work myself either, so the project car route is a bit intimidating at this point.

If you know anyone selling a '66 or '67 let me know. Body and paint already done, like you got your car, would be ideal. The motor, transmission, suspension brakes etc. I'm good with and can do myself. It's the body and paint that scares me.

I know a 66 with a 383 nice paint. LEt me look for the listing.

Wow! Now you have me worried. I kind of don't want to question the guy that is doing my car.

There's no harm in asking! Ask him the same way I asked you; the picture kinda looks like the studs are on the glass surface. NBD. You're not accusing; just a weird picture angle.

Do you already have any other pictures of this replaced area to clarify?

There's no harm in asking! Ask him the same way I asked you; the picture kinda looks like the studs are on the glass surface. NBD. You're not accusing; just a weird picture angle.

Do you already have any other pictures of this replaced area to clarify?

That is the best pic of the area that I have. I just don't want the guy to think that I'm questioning his work. I guess it's all in the way that the question is asked. He's out of town till Sunday. I'll email him a pic of the area in question, and ask him what the spots are across the bottom of that piece. I'll post up his answer when I find out.

Check you private message.

Check you private message.

Nothin in my inbox.

That is the best pic of the area that I have. I just don't want the guy to think that I'm questioning his work. I guess it's all in the way that the question is asked. He's out of town till Sunday. I'll email him a pic of the area in question, and ask him what the spots are across the bottom of that piece. I'll post up his answer when I find out.

You don't even have to get that specific with your inquiry to him. Just ask him for more pictures of the rear window areas and I'm sure you'll see what's up.

The chances are really, really small that they are installed wrong....but better off realizing it now. ;)

Nothin in my inbox.

I was talking to the guy who started this post.

Looks like we have a new owner with us!

You don't even have to get that specific with your inquiry to him. Just ask him for more pictures of the rear window areas and I'm sure you'll see what's up.

The chances are really, really small that they are installed wrong....but better off realizing it now. ;)

Ok, I asked him about the area, and he said that the spots are just ground down plug welds. Raider, you had me going there for a minute!! All is O.K. :thumbsup:

I was talking to the guy who started this post.

Looks like we have a new owner with us!

Sorry Norm, I guess that's why it's not a good thing to ASSume! ;)

Sorry Norm, I guess that's why it's not a good thing to ASSume! ;)
Yep. Bought a '66 today. Gonna pick it up Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ok, I asked him about the area, and he said that the spots are just ground down plug welds. Raider, you had me going there for a minute!! All is O.K. :thumbsup:

Okay...Good Deal!
I didn't mean to get you worked up, but I ~thought~ I could see the studs there. I'm glad I was wrong!
Better safe than sorry. Good Luck with your 66 :thumbsup:

Yep. Bought a '66 today. Gonna pick it up Tuesday or Wednesday.

S W E E E E T !!! :hurray: :beers: Happy Trails

Keep us posted with some pix :yes:

Yep. Bought a '66 today. Gonna pick it up Tuesday or Wednesday.

Congrats on the '66!! Can't wait to see some pics!

Which one did you buy? My friend said you didnt buy his - the blue one with the 383 in it.

I did buy his. I hadn't given him the money yet when you sent him the email. We're closing the deal tomorrow.

Can't wait to see your new ride!! Make sure you post up some pics soon. :thumbsup: I should have mine back by the middle of April, I can't wait.

I used to belong to a dirt bike site, and made a lot of good friends on there. Don't know if Chevelle people are like dirt bikers, but we used plan get togethers, BBQ's, rides etc. and it was a lot of fun. Do any of the people on this site ever get together and hang out?

My mechanic cooks trip tip and has a Beerbq on Friday nights so clients can come down, pick up their cars and pay him.

My mechanic cooks trip tip and has a Beerbq on Friday nights so clients can come down, pick up their cars and pay him.

Norm, I think you need to hook me up with your mechanic. My guy just collects his dough, nothin else.

A couple of pics of my new '66. Got some work to do (not a whole lot), but some.....Thanks for the tip on the car, Norm.

A couple of pics of my new '66. Got some work to do (not a whole lot), but some.....Thanks for the tip on the car, Norm.

Sweet rdscut! Congrats on your Chevelle.... What kind of work do you have to do to it? Ernie

Sweet rdscut! Congrats on your Chevelle.... What kind of work do you have to do to it? Ernie

posi rear end, raise it up and put some Cragars or Torq's on it, MSD, Thorley shorty's, starter, steering box, misc electrical and maybe new paint....

posi rear end, raise it up and put some Cragars or Torq's on it, MSD, Thorley shorty's, starter, steering box, misc electrical and maybe new paint....

Have you checked out the Coy wheels? Pretty nice and priced well to! I think I'm going to get a set for my car, and switch back and forth with the rally's. Link to: http://www.coyswheel.com/index2.html
(http://www.coyswheel.com/index2.html)

Does it have a 12 bolt now? How much is it lowered?

Nice! My car is still at the shop. Conrats!

Does it have a 12 bolt now? How much is it lowered?

10 bolt right now. It's very low -- 295's on the rear and 165's on the front. Front springs were also chopped. I'm already gouging my driving when I pull in.

I'll check out the rims....Rob

Nice! My car is still at the shop. Conrats!

Thanks for the lead......

10 bolt right now. It's very low -- 295's on the rear and 165's on the front. Front springs were also chopped. I'm already gouging my driving when I pull in.

I'll check out the rims....Rob

Rob, If the guy that is doing my car hasn't thrown away my stock springs, you are welcome to them. Don't know how old they are, but they are the stock height and are for a small block car.

Thanks for the lead......

You're welcome!

Glad you got it.

Rob, If the guy that is doing my car hasn't thrown away my stock springs, you are welcome to them. Don't know how old they are, but they are the stock height and are for a small block car.

I may take you up on it. The car is with my mechanic right now. I'll be talking to him next week......thanks

I may take you up on it. The car is with my mechanic right now. I'll be talking to him next week......thanks

No prob.... If you think you may want them, let me know and I'll see if they are still around.

Hows the car?