BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Eisberg rustoration, Need some input... Options

[mbseto]

Funny, I am as nervous starting this thread as I was to start cutting into my car.

I resolved to start a rustoration thread when I made my first cuts, so here it is. I'm hoping the community will pipe in periodically with any, "Don't do that!", "Do it this other way!", "Do this first!", or "Don't forget this!" comments that are appropriate. Any and all guidance will be appreciated.

So here's the car as I got it, not quite a year ago:


Started out doing a little engine work to get it running, then drove it around a little bit before starting to take it apart. Took the engine out, put it up on a dolly, took out much of the interior and suspension, and this is how it sits now:






After cleaning out the inside and seeing the rust, it was hard to believe we were driving it at all. These are the first cuts, just straightening out the edges of the rust holes really.


More pics coming soon, I'll be documenting the extent of the damage and forming a battle plan.

[mbseto]

Anatomy Autopsy of a long...

Here's the whole thing as it came out. You see a lot of it missing with straight edges as if it were cut away. In reality, this was mostly rusted away and the jagged rusty edges were just trimmed off.



Condition of the motor mount. Going to remove this and clean it up, see if it can be saved. The hole on top was covered by a couple rectangular patches that looked like the were hammered in place and welded on- I think I posted pics earlier. Took them off when I cut out the engine shelf.



Condition of the pylon. Don't think this can be saved. There's a nest inside it, I'm afraid it is corroded from the inside beyond help. Have a little wager whether I'm going to find a little mouse skeleton inside.



Patchwork around the jack point. I was more critical of the previous work on this until I start welding my own patches in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)



More patch work...



And the forward section...



So in the end, hoped to have an educational experience in seeing how the frame is put together. I did learn a lot, but feel a little like a doctor that learned anatomy by dissecting a zombie. I hope I'm building a better Frankenstein.