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Rusty Anniversary Special

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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 12:51 PM
  #1  
gearhead141's Avatar
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From: Escondido, Ca
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Rusty Anniversary Special

So I see this 15th Anniversary Special on fleabay. I'm interested but there are some rust issues to deal with. The roof is rusted through just behind the t-top and the area above the windshield shows rust. How hard is it to repair that rust through area on the roof? I'm thinking it has to be cut out and new metal welded in. And if that's what I can see, how much more rust could there be? See the pics to see just how bad it is.

There is four days remaining on this auction in the Los Angeles area and it is currently over $600. It could get crazy before it's over. Is it worth the repair? And I know that is a question of how much money the high bidder wants to spend on this car. I'm just wondering what the repair to the roof could cost?
Attached Thumbnails Rusty Anniversary Special-rusty-roof.jpg   Rusty Anniversary Special-rusty-windshield-frame.jpg  
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 03:04 PM
  #2  
UNCLE TOM's Avatar
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From: ms. gulf coast
Car: 91 R/S , 89 dodge p/u
Engine: L31 GM crate re-cammed , 318
Transmission: T-5 , 4 speed auto
Axle/Gears: 3.42 , ?
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

stay away from it . would cost several times what it's worth to repair . good luck .
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 04:40 PM
  #3  
gearhead141's Avatar
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From: Escondido, Ca
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

That's what I was thinking. This might be a good deal if I already had a rust free shell to transfer everything over to. If that rust is what I can see, it might only be the tip of the iceberg ,and we all know what happened to the Titanic!
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 04:54 PM
  #4  
jkrustchinsky's Avatar
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From: San Antonio Texas
Car: 1982 Trans Am, 1986 Gmc sierra
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

i had the same rust maybe worst on my firebird, if your a welder by trades like myself its no trouble at all, but a good machine is about a grand although it is a worthwhile investment. if the price is 600-800 bucks for a complete anniversary i would pick it up for sure.
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 05:03 PM
  #5  
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
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From: Central NJ
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 408 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

run away!
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 05:04 PM
  #6  
gearhead141's Avatar
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From: Escondido, Ca
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

OK, let's just say for the sake of argument that I am not a welder by trade. Am I looking at $500 to $600 to fix that swiss cheese? The car last passed smog in late 2002 and hasn't been registered since then. Who knows what lurks under the hood as far as gremlins are concerned. At this date, is it just easier to clone a 15th?
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 05:06 PM
  #7  
gearhead141's Avatar
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From: Escondido, Ca
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

Right now, the "run away" folks are in the lead.
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 05:16 PM
  #8  
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
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From: Central NJ
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 408 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

if you are paying a body man to fix the rust, and you know there is much more than just that, 500-600 bux will come and go really fast. you will be in the thousands in no time flat.

run away!!!!
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 09:02 PM
  #9  
92RS_T-Top's Avatar
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From: Buffalo Mo
Car: 92 T-Top RS Camaro
Engine: 305 .30 over Mild RV Cam
Transmission: Auto 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Rusty Anniversary Special

I would also say run away, just from the photos if the roof is that bad the floor pans HAVE to be shot.... If the floor pans are in good shape and you know how to do body work then it may be worth picking up for $650 or so.. BUT if the floors are gone then your looking into the high $100s to get the floor pans and the fact you gotta brace the hole car up to cut out the junk and weld in the good.. Heck if the floors are shot the body may already be tweaked.

I'd say if you dont plan on doing a LONG resto on it, or terning it into a drag car, id stay FAR FAR FAR AWAY from this car. My 92 has 2 rust spots that will be a pain to fix CORRECTLY and i'll have tons of hours and at least a few $100 in just floor pans, and time consumeing work. My 88z28 will be haveing this done soon.
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