1970 Ghia "rust" project

[blarneyman]

Winter is here and I basically got my 69 bug done over the summer. Now it's time to attack the rust in my Ghia. I've seen worse cars get repaired so it should be a doable project (but I'm not a body man) so lets see if I get myself into trouble.
1st is the trunk rain gutter. The two worst spots.




Under the front bumper (both sides were patched with aluminum and pop rivets).


Then there is the entire left side. I already started cutting tonight.


The base of the "A" pillar behind the outer skin.

Fortunately, the heater channel looks pretty good. I will have to just patch a couple little spots.

[blarneyman]

I decided to start with the gutter in the trunk area first (it looked like the easiest repair)

[blarneyman]

Got the front end under the bumper bracket holes fixed last night.

[blarneyman]

Got the winter blues and took a couple months off the project. Finally back at it. Repaired the heater channel and replaced the outer portion of the rocker.


Also replaced the inner and out sections in front of the rear wheel on the left side.

[Geoff]

looks like your doing a very nice job!!! Hope to see it on the road this summer.

[blarneyman]

This really sucks!!
I just found out that the uncle that I bought the Ghia from has terminal cancer and is only expected to live "maybe" 6 months. I was really hoping to have the car done but it's not looking good right now. He is already on fairly heavy doses of pain meds. Looks like I'm going to have to do some double time on the car.

[blarneyman]

Got busy on the Ghia again tonight after a couple very busy weeks with work. I decided to fabricate a new bottom section for the A pillar. Not quite as nice as the replacement section but it will work. Still have some grinding to do and a little filling in on the welds.

[silas]

hey steve...sorry to hear about your uncle. i'm sending healing thoughts his way and i bet he's a fighter so he'll keep give'n 'er.

the ghia is looking good. keep your chin up and forge ahead. i'm sure your uncle is proud of your work.

[blarneyman]

Spent the day in the shop and finished the repairs to the left side of the Ghia.



Now I have to get it back on the ground so I can turn it around and fix the area in front of the rear tire on the right side.

[blarneyman]

I spent the last few days working on the right side of the car. I had to replace the inner and outer section in front of the rear wheel, a small piece on the bottom of the door and behind the front wheel. I'm hoping this will be the last of the major rust repairs. If everything goes well, I'll be getting into filler in the next week or so.

[surgerypending]

Looks good! Keep up the good work!