1_Wild_Cat
Promoted Users
My thoughts are that the car was rear ended at some point.
Hi R/T -- Thanks for your comment.
You may be right. It has clearly been in more than one wreck. The front left has a replacement fender and some pretty good metal straightening to the core support. The left quarter also had a front to back crease that had been partially repaired but the metal remembered and it showed up again during the straightening. Then you have the right quarter - which I never saw - but must have been pretty bad.
I don't think that it took a flat hit to the rear though. The tail panel is factory straight with no signs of repair, the left wheel house is undamaged, and the damage to the original trunk lid was localized in the forward right corner. Also - unless the frame was replaced I would think the rear cross member would show damage.
Honestly - it seems like past bodymen did more damage than the wrecks. I'm amazed the car wasn't totaled - as all of the accidents had to have occurred between 1964 and 1987. Most of that time it would have been just another used car. I would love to find some past owners and hear stories about this car.
This car has had a tough life - in addition to the wrecks, it has also clearly been raced pretty aggressively. The control arm attachments have been repaired from the classic failure associated with putting these A-bodies on slicks. The project came with an M-22 that was in the car when the PO got it and bits and pieces from a Vertigate.
You obviously chose the right guy to get this work done.
No doubt about that. I thought I knew some good body/metal guys - but Cam is in a different class. Now I have to up my game to do the car justice.
Thanks again for your comments. Talking with folks in forums like this helps to keep me inspired.