Hey guys, I've been a third gen owner for a long while now, however I just discovered this cool forum.

Anyhow, I have a '91 Maro RS. She has a stock L03 (open element air cleaner and a flowmaster... nothing pecial), 700R, 2.73 gears, hardtop, with all the luxuries except leather. Drop springs up front, poly bushings, and the 245 R16's.

So she's got 168K on the clock and been a MI car all her life and rusting out in all the typical camaro places. I currently use it as a fuel economy maching and for the age and circumstances she's not in bad shape at all. Unfortunatley she's a Van Nuys car with the beautiful blu paint so the clear coat decided to up and leave a while ago.

I want to make the car realitively nice to look at once again but do not know what approach I should take. Do I stuff her with bondo and primer it flat black, or actually buy repro fiberglass parts and slowly do it the right way? Keep in mind she has smacked a deer or two in her day and MI winter is starting to get the best of her.

Suggestions? Thanks guys they are appreciated!

 

How much are you willing to spend?

 

how are the floors? i know in new england that is the biggest problem. that can make or break the project.

 

Lets put it this way, the car is "self draining" they are full of small holes. Nothing a little por-15, fiberglass, and roll on bed liner can't fix

A for the spending, I don't want to spend too much on it... she's teetering on the point of no return. Only reason I am keeping it and sinking the money into her is 1. I've got too much into it already to recover with its current body

and 2. At this day in age if you want a third gen you get one of two things. THe car is either reasonably affordable and has beaten like a red headed step child or the car costs way more than you can afford for its age.

I know how my car has been beat on and know what I've fixed. No I want to know if there is hope of a decent looking car again.

 

Don't use fiberglass. That is just as bad as stuffing all the holes with bondo. Do you have some pictures of the rust? If you're going to bother fixing it, do it right. Buy replacement metal panels and weld them in. You're saying you've got to much in it now to be able to get it back by selling the car so don't waste more money doing shoddy repairs that won't stop the rust from doing more damage. POR-15 everything that isn't painted after you've gotten the new panels and you'll be ready for a new paint job.

 

well lets put it this way, I do not have the tools to weld in new panels myself, nor do any of my buddies. the driver side rear inner wheel well i totally gone, I was going to fabricate something out of fiberglass to keep water from spraying into the cabin. all the lips around the wheel wells are gone, hole in the fender right above ground trim. The floors are full of nickel size holes and smaller. The car isn't a total rust bucket, just the underside is a mess.

Just some history, I bout the car for $1500 b/c my S10 was a lemon. I always wanted one so i started fixin her up. THis last winter really did a number on her and the clearcoat practically fell off the car. So its not like I sought out a camaro in restorable condition. Its just now, I would like to get a few more years out of her until my truck is paid off and just not look like total ghetto trash.

 

Were in michigan do you live?. If you live near Lansing-St. johns-dewitt Area or are willing to drive there i can have a freind of mine weld them in for a few bucks. Just need to purchase the panels and let me know. Hes welding in my quarters on both sides as well as a floor pan...And also as for rust... Go to a local parts place liek autozone or somehting.. (they even have this crap at walmart... I use the stuf from walmart its like a buck cheaper for the same brand stuff). But its a Rust converter.. it converts rust to black primer... for small surface rust just dab on a little bit... For worse rust put on a hefty amount... It fixed the rust on my fender. sanded it down just liek primer then put another coat of primer over top.... If you would like to know the exact brand ill go find the bottle in the garage and let you know.

 

I live half the year in GR and the other half in FLint. I drive M21 thru St. Johns all the time. How much do ya think he'd want to cut out old quarters, bumper bar, and wheel well and weld in the new? I have no problem getting new sheetmetal. But the stuff you are talking about sounds like it's right up my alley if you could get me the name.

 

"Klean-Strip"... I use Klean-strip rust converter... the also have Rust remover... but i haven't tried that. Then there is also similar stuff in an aerosol can... The stuff i got you paint on. Do you know were Dewitt Road is?. If so he lives a mile off of 21 right by Dewitt Rd. But im not for sure on how much he would charge to have it all done... Would depend on if you want him to just cut and weld or also throw your bondo and stuff on and do the body work for it. I will talk to him tonight once i get off work and ask him.