71 2002, how much rust is too much

[PapaSmurfen]

Well well, recently acquired this for next to nothing with the intention of parting out or doing something with it. 

Produced Dec 71 and was originally agave green, repainted all black, motor was replaced a year or two prior to being parked with either a bmw crate motor or a remanded motor (or so I was told). Got dropped off in 2015 to get rockers put on it but owner died a year later, sat under a tree and due to being in Michigan it rotted out the bottom. Let me know your thoughts.

Also any info on these rims would be helpful, can't seem to find much for comparables. MSW makes them

 

[JsnPpp]

To most, this qualifies as "too much rust". 🙂

 

Has some parts on it tho - the bumpers look decent and I'm sure there are other bits and bobs. Chrome/emblems/tail lights/etc.

 

Engine too if it's low mileage should clean up. Yes, some bolts will be tough to get at.

 

I've seen worse.

 

Jason

 

 

[Gordon]

+1 on I've seen  worse.   Key question,  how good is your welding expertise?  If you have welding experience,  it will make a great project car. If you want somebody else to do the welding,  it will be cost prohibitive and end up being a parts car. 

Edited September 19, 2023 by Gordon

[AceAndrew]

nope.  ain't no way.   This isn't a Monza or Lake Bugatti.

 

 

Nice parts though.

[slowbert]

Worse than where I started, but not much worse. Expect to spend $4-8k or more on steel from W&N and at least that much on welding/grinding equipment. Budget $30-40k?

 

It will be more fun than you can imagine - in a good way. 
 

However, if you decide to sell those bumpers, I am in the market…

[tech71]

Agree with Andrew, unless your a metal master with equipped shop and plenty of time to kill forget about it

[Trey]

I’ve done a lot of rust repair on cars and came here to encourage you and say it’s not too bad. 
 

Then I saw the pictures. I don’t believe I’d try that one. 

[Mike Self]

Flintstonemobile.  Whenever you can reach through the rockers and touch the tunnel housing, it's a goner.  Not to mention the rear spring supports (inner wheel arches).  The springs will pop right through at the first bump...

 

Sadly, it's way past its use-by date.  some good parts, though.

 

Be sure and post the VIN on the register before deploying the Sawzall.

 

mike

[BarrettN]

Another vote for taking a sawzall to it - but also for the education chopping up one brings. I bought a parts car,"Tetanus" and cutting it into bits and putting it out on the curb weekly in little bits al la "Shawshank Redemption" style left me not only with totes upon totes of spare parts, but a better understanding of how thigs go together and come apart.

 

Tetanus, in all her glory, RIP:

 

 

[Cruzr]

Now you know why you got it for next to nothing. The amount of effort and expense to get it in shape is far more than the value when completed. Better keep looking for a less rusty example.

[slowbert]

4 minutes ago, Cruzr said:

The amount of effort and expense to get it in shape is far more than the value when completed.

 

This is the sad truth about this hobby.  You will spend $40K to rebuild a car that could sell on BAT for $25K.  And you will work for free.

 

All of the rust on the car above is solvable - with patience, attention to detail, and lots of replacement sheet metal (and probably a good bit of fabrication).  The real question is whether you want to take up the challenge and put in the hours in it.

 

And there is no shame in saying "this is too much for me."

[uai]

Just take 10k of your budget and burn them. And look for another car with the rest of your budget - 
still then you're better off than trying to mend this pile.

 

[Joesprocket]

the hood alone is probably worth the "next to nothin" acquisition cost. Also  - i'm in the market for a hood and trunk lid

[resra]

Yes those are MSW wheels. They do pop up for sale once a while. Although it is a very rusty looking car underneath, it is a late 71 car meaning some nice parts are on that lasted all the way upto 1973. 

Like the front and rear bumpers, the two piece dashboard, the seats if untorn. etc. 

This particular car also looks to have a wood Nardi steering wheel? 

Here is a sample of similar MSW wheel set for sale in this forum (Not mine and I hope the original Poster don't mind)

 

 

[Tdh]

Agree with Andrew. I do this kind of work regularly, and I’d pass.