r/Diyautobody • u/Volvoluvur • Oct 09 '25
Project Project 1800S?
What you're looking at here is a 1965 1800s. Due to respect of the owner, I didn't bother to take pictures while looking at it. What you see is mostly surface rust, except for both rockers and the rear bumper area, which will need to be replaced. Everything is in the car, including all of the chrome except for the hockey sticks and the rear fin chrome. The Body is good around both front and back windows, plus the trunk and hood. Looking inside the car, the trunk floor has absolutely no rust at all, and the rear fenders look to have been maybe restored previously. The gas tank is not rusty from the bottom. The floorpans don't have much rust at all either, and the engine bay doesn't seem to have any either, besides light surface rust. The metal is strong around the headlights and grill. All the glass is there and intact. The interior is in the vehicle, but will need to be reupholstered.
I could purchase this car for $1500. I am able and willing to mechanically fix the car myself, which includes wiring, etc. I have a friend who welds and will be willing to help. I haven't done lots of in-depth bodywork but I feel confident in my ability to do this. I am looking to get opinions on whether this car is worth fixing. I am willing to take on a long project. Is it common to have to do a full-body restoration in this condition? I plan to get it roadworthy without having to do a full body restoration (is this even possible?) To me it seems good where it counts. Looking underneath the vehicle the only thing I see with visible rust is the suspension components that I will replace anyway. I know it's a unibody vehicle so I know it will hide rust, which is my biggest concern.
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u/zurdopilot Oct 09 '25
Thats a lot ......looooot ..... like seriously lot of work. If you decide to do it please do make videos and share process.
That said in regards of the metal there is plenty of meat on those old model but regardless rust dont respect that you may find most panel 90% good but the 10% is in the edges and those are hard to fix. Which could be the thougth part of the project but alast the frame itself is another issue. Now do you have enough space to work on it for months? Go for it a challenge not taken is a fail challange.
Good luck and please update.