How bad is this rust?

[bcarey]

I came across a 1976 2002 this weekend. Runs and drives well, and the interior, while original, is in great shape. Price is friendly, but the body will need some love.

It needs new paint, but before that I'll need to touch up some surface rust (couldn't find any structural rust). There's rust along the hood trim line, but it's superficial. Some light rusting below front windshield (pictured). There is a Bondo-ed over rust spot in the roof that will probably be the size of a business letter envelope once it's all cut out. And then there's the rust at the bottom corners of the rear window (pictured).

How troublesome are these spots? I'm thinking of trying to cut them out and weld them myself (my dad knows how to weld, and would guide me). Any thoughts on how much I would save myself, versus bring it to a shop? Same deal with stripping the paint -- any idea how much does that take off the price of a paint job?

And finally, can anyone recommend a good body shop around the San Francisco Bay Area?

Thanks!

BC

[Guest Anonymous]

Keep in mind that rust is like cockroaches, if you see one u probably have an infestation. As far as this car the bad news is someone already tried to fix it, bad botch jobs are never a good sign, need to see pics of underside to even guess at extent, sorry this may seem like a ruf reply but these words are true Dave

[bcarey]

I appreciate the honest reply -- I probably need a dose of it! The test drive was so enjoyable, I wasn't quite critical of the body. The rockers and shock towers look fine, for what it's worth, though I wasn't able to get a good look at the full underside.

[twenty02_vnz]

Hi there,

If yiu ever gonna need some panels..I have it from 76 I cut out. email me at my usernam AT yahoo DOT com.

or call/text

9TWO5 3TWO5 SIX4 97

- vince

[jerry]

the bigger concern is that you are dealing with a 1976 car in california. you'll have smog issues to deal with on top of rust issues.

to correct the rusty bits you'll be removing the windshield. it's doable on you own. how much time can you commit?

[FunkyLaneO]

What seems like a nice price probably isn't considering this is a 76. The only reason to buy a 76 is to take it out of state because it is a rust free California car which this one apparently isn't (rust free that is). Sorry to rain on your parade but you don't want to deal with maintaining the emissions system on this car in California, it is such a hassle.

[bcarey]

That's a very good point. It passed smog in July, but in the long run that might be a hassle. I'm new to California; any idea if 76ers will become smog exempt any time soon?

[LJtii]

The legislature has discussed having the smog exemption updated annually past the '74 cars, but it has been rejected every time. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the '76 cars to be included, as "green" is where it's at these days, and it is unlikely a politician would willingly negate his environmental status to propose this rolling exemption again.

[Gordon]

If you live in CA, you want to find a 75 or earlier 2002, stay away from 76 models since it's a bitch to get a 37 year old car with a carb to pass smog in CA. Don't expect 76 model's to become smog exempt any time soon.

Keep looking, you'll find your 02.

G-Man

[c.d.iesel]

...back to the RUST

the rusting at the front and rear window seals/body are letting water

enter the interior. the floor is rusting out also - look under the rugs,

under the back seat. your novice eyes need experienced eyes

to point out to you the rust or patch work at the inner

rear trunk wheel/spring house areas, under drivers feet area,

front valance, rockers, bases of the doors.

hopefully someone here will tell you how much a bucket of

automotive paint costs to to help you forget the dream of

painting it yourself - say nothing of the amount of time,tools,

indoor dry space top prep a body for painting.

[bcarey]

Thanks for the additional insight on the rust. I never intended to paint it myself, just to strip/prep it for a pro job. Jusy wanted to get a sense of what I might be looking at. Thanks! BC

[Epic]

I am looking at a car with a similar issue. Rust only on the lower side of the window. It's about 6 inches long. Everything else seems fine.

If it were he only part that had rust, and everything else checked out fine, would it be a easy fix? And when I say easy, I mean drop it off to the panel shop and pick it up a few weeks later.

Cheers

Scott.

[Tommy]

"Everything else seems fine." If this is actually true it's not that difficult place to fix. You would need to make the patch panel or preferably cut it from another car because that's not available commercially. For a good body shop it should be some hours, not weeks. That is not a typical place for an -02 to rust first so I recommend checking carefully the whole body.

 

  Tommy

 

EDIT. For the time estimation I mean only the welding job. Not taking apart, paint, assembly...

Edited October 15, 2013 by Tommy