Buy yourself a little mig welder and do most of the work yourself. I just
installed a new rear valance, rear lower quarter panels and made my own new
floor. I also made patch panels for some rust behind the front wheels. Just
cut it out and weld the new metal in, grind it as flat as you can and apply
a thin layer of bondo. I did the rear valence and quarters in a weekend,
one weekend per side on the floors(includes making the new floors) and a
night after work for each of the patch panels. Its not as hard as it would
seem. Get some 18-22 gauge metal and practice a lot, short weld so the
metal doesn't warp. My work isn't perfect, but a body shop can finish it off
for me and I saved a LOT of money. A decent mig welder with gas should cost
about $300-400, a grinder for $60, and a few hundred at most for new panes
(even less if you make your own). Plus in my opinion the mig welder was one
of the best things I have ever bought, right next to my 12 ton press.
Just my opinion.
MikeC
>If I DO end up replacing the panels, I'm thinking about getting some "hands
>on" body work experience by trying to repair the existing damage to the
rear
>wings, valance and trunk lid myself in the meantime, before I bring it into
>a shop -- just for the fun and experience of trying. If I can do a decent
>job, the decision might be an easier one to make...
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