Just started dismantling my 66' GS for paint. We initially thought the car was fairly rust free. I know these cars are bad about rusting below the rear glass. How big a deal is it for a body man to fix this? Is it fixable? Both sides under the rear glass are like this. There is also a spot on the driver's quarter that is rusted through. It looks as if someone did a hackjob previously there. Is this stuff fixable..? What are my options. Merry Xmas and thanks in advance. Scott
Scott, While it looks really bad, the good news is, everything is fixable. The bad news is, its "just money".
Nothing that can't be fixed. You could look for complete quarters from a donor car, but I don't know how practical that would be. My guess is that your body man will have to fab patches for the areas to be repaired. The areas must be derusted, and expect to find more rot than you expect. These things are usually like that. I think the deck filler may be available as a repro, and I would go that route if possible. Plenty of work, a sizeable amount of labor $ extra, and you should have a nice repair. Look around the forum, there are plenty of other cars on here that have had window channel repairs and have photos of what is involved. It is not surprising that more and more cars are in need of this repair, as 30-40 years is a long time, and these areas were not protected very well with rust preventative when new. Most of all, don't get disgusted. Take your time and plan out the repair with your body man. Don't be tempted to short cut the repairs, as you need to remove the rust from the area in order to have a lasting repair. Good luck, Rudy E.
Wow that was quick..Thanks guys. I was really depressed when I saw this rust..I had originally thought the car was rust free. That's why I bought it from the little old lady. I figured it was fixable but didn't know if it might be cheaper to find another body to sit on it. Problem with that from what I have read is most of these A body cars have the same problem as mine...Joe how is your project coming? I've been following it for some time...Where in North Alabama are you? I'm in Birmingham...Thx again You guys think that quarter is fixable? Here's a pic of the car before we started on it tonight...Had to wait up for Santa anyways, so might as well get something done!
I would imagine that more rust is residing in the quarter panel lower/wheel lip areas that is being hidden by the paint plus any past Bondo jobs. If a repro quarter skin is available, that would probably be the best path. On the other hand, you always want to remove no more metal than needed to clean the car up. So, a good body man can fab up patches for the area and procede that way. The worst part of the lip damage, is that the wheelhouse pinch weld will most surely have rust in it too. The only way to remove all of the rot will be to open the area up for repair. You could throw a quarter skin on the car and repair the wheelhouse once you have the old quarter removed. The upper areas will need to be done with patches. How solid is the trunk floor, package shelf, wheelhouses, etc.? This kind of damage around the window usually encourages floor rot from water dripping into the trunk. Thanks, Rudy E.
Amazingly the trunk floor is fine. That is what had me thinking the car was fairly rust free. However, we did dig about 4 tubes of caulking out from under the window trim. I guess that kept any water from entering the trunk area. Does anyone make repro quarters for these cars?
Rudy a new deck filler is avail here http://goodmarkindustries.com./HomePage.html It is an authentic GM restoration part. 4331-710-66 $99.95. You will likely need a set of the bodymount braces that are behind the rear wheel well also. 4030-740-64 L/R $34.95 each. Like Rudy said if the rear window leaked there is more rot elsewhere. Look in the trunk. It's probably why the rear panels are shot. Also take a good look under the car especially behind the very front of the rocker panels and the pass. side floor. These areas are known to rot. The more you look the more you will find. But a good bodyman can fab up just about any patch panel. When you do find a bodyman that will work with you let him know what sheetmetal is avail. and he'll tell you if it is easier to patch it up or replace it. Best of Luck Ray
Huntsville is my North Alabama. I'm waiting for February for my slot at the body shop to get my quarter panel fixed. Merry Christmas!
You guys think that quarter is fixable? Here's a pic of the car before we started on it tonight...Had to wait up for Santa anyways, so might as well get something done! I agree with the patch advice. I don't think I'd waste any money on a quarter skin though. I don't think it will solve most of your rust issues, and unfortunately no one seems to be making factory style quarters and outer wheel houses. Rudy is right also. Take a look at some of the other projects in the forums. Nothing unusual about your cars condition. Frankly from what I see in the pics, your car seems to be in relatively good shape.
Scott the only rear panel repos avail. are from J.C. Whitny andcrosscanadaparts.com Unfortuately they're both the same. They are cheap panels that are thin and made to be put on over the existing panels so they don,t look right. I'm doing the same rear lower sections on my car very soon as time allows. Once it is butt welded in and grinded. I'll look like it was never touched. You might be able to find NOS 4door 1/4 panels if you look hard enough and use them as patches but there is the cost factor and you are probably better off having patches made. If you need a picture of what the rotted section should look like let me know. Ray
Scott, have you got inside the trunk and looked up at the under panel. The rear deck filler panel is a two piece panel upper the one that is reproduced. The lower sometimes rusts and I am not sure that anyone make ist. I wa looking for one for a 66 GS hardtop. Look at the post from the person in Florida that found the Seven 66 GS's/Skylarks The blue one he is sellng has some good shots of the rust. I admire the honesty of a seller when he posts the best pictures of the worst areas. Elliet is a stand up guy. Thanks Bill Sangster
Thx for the replies...Darren I have one other rock to turn over to get this thing painted. He's a family member on my wife's side that owns and operates a body shop. If he's not interested..I may be on the road to Pipe Creek, TX : ) Bill, I haven't thought to look under that panel yet. After seeing pictures of one not too long ago here on the board, I'm a little hesitant to look at it! Darren, that's useful info, thanks for the insight. I considered the 4 door panels, but as you said it probably wouldn't save me any in the long run. We'll try to keep everyone up to date as the project progresses. Thanks V8Buick.com!
