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]

Thank you!

I definitely plan to sleeve that joint. Truth is I'm still a ways from welding this all together- that wheelhouse long looks like it was made to attach to whatever is left of the long that was cut out, not extend to the trunk wall. Well, I cut mine out completely so I need to make some tabs to bridge that gap. I'll post photos of that process. Then get that butt joint lined up which will require squeezing the one side so the walls are at right angles and tapering the other to match the height of the section. Then I'll make a sleeve. Finally some primer, and I think I'll be close to welding.