Hi. I'm about to make a trunk replacement in a 1967 conv. Among other parts. Basically I Will replace everything from the seats and back including Partial framme rails, inner and outer wheelhouses, rear body panel, seat back divider etc..more or less everything but the rear quarter panels. Any ideas on where and what to start with ? Would be nice to get some advice on this. Thanks,
Hi. I'm about to make a trunk replacement in a 1967 conv. Among other parts. Basically I Will replace everything from the seats and back including Partial framme rails, inner and outer wheelhouses, rear body panel, seat back divider etc..more or less everything but the rear quarter panels. Any ideas on where and what to start with ? Would be nice to get some advice on this. Thanks,
Toivo
Just finished welding on my 68 vert. Strongly recommend you get experienced welder that has worked on 1st gen cars before.
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
Hi. I'm about to make a trunk replacement in a 1967 conv. Among other parts. Basically I Will replace everything from the seats and back including Partial framme rails, inner and outer wheelhouses, rear body panel, seat back divider etc..more or less everything but the rear quarter panels. Any ideas on where and what to start with ? Would be nice to get some advice on this. Thanks,
Toivo
Just finished welding on my 68 vert. Strongly recommend you get experienced welder that has worked on 1st gen cars before.
He is in Sweden, that may be difficult to find.
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
Here's my advice from a rank amateur that just finished with a rust bucket GTO convertible. Leave as much original metal as possible and just cut up the replacement panels to just repair the bad areas.. Weld the patches in with double lap welds. Assuming there's enough solid metal left in the car, that will reduce issues with maintaining dimensions and distortion. Double lap welds are strong and won't be that noticeable if you make neat welds, grind them smooth and use some body filler.
Last trunk floor I put in I butt welded and finished the joint with a little grinding. Takes more time when cutting out the old one but we'll worth the extra time if your meticulous and critical on the finished product.
Adding to what bigchief said. I recently replaced my trunk floor and would highly recommend butt welding the trunk in. it depends on your skill level and value of the car but my opinion is that this is the best way to repair the trunk and not worry about over lapping metal that can collect moisture once sealed up and start rusting again.
Most professionals who start replacing inner and outer wheel wells and as much as it sounds like you will do, will have a jig for the car to be positioned on to insure nothing moves in the process of weakening and cutting the old stuff out.
If you don't have a jig to position the car, I would definitely weld braces in to keep your alignment and even though you won't replace the quarters, they can/will move if you don't brace properly. Just my two cents. Good luck with the project.
