Hello Everyone.
I am new to the forum and F-bodies in general. Recently, I became the owner of a 'Swiss-Cheese' Pontiac, a rusty 91 Formula. I can almost tolerate the corroded floor pans, but the driver's side strut tower is like tissue paper.
I plan to bite the bullet and get the rust repaired at the body shop. I do not want to go the donor-car route. I'm really down about the whole thing and I can use some feedback. I'd appreciate hearing from you if you have chosen the rust repair route.
Thanks for reading!


P.S. The Formula is a complete car that runs, drives and stops. It's not a basket case in that regard.

 

You've heard the phrase throwing good money after bad?

 

Since your car is a 91 formula I'd say it's absolutely worth getting fixed. The strut tower can easily be sourced from a donor car. You should have it fixed sooner than later though so it doesn't get worse and cause damage going over bumps.

 

PurelyPMD,
I'm not sure that maxim applies entirely in this case. I'm looking beyond strictly monetary value of this car. I'm willing to pony up a reasonable amount to avoid the hassle of a re-body/partout. I'm not looking for a show car or a factory resto. If I end up with a safe, decent-looking vehicle I will be satisfied.

 

I figure it can't hurt to visit some body shops and get some repair quotes for the strut tower. The floor pans can wait. I don't care how the underside looks, so maybe some mig'ed in patches will do the job.

 

Sure it can be done. Thing is, most do it themselves. Lots of stuff to remove and the labor adds up fast. Car will be down for a while too. I dont think its a bad idea to fix it if you love it. Hows the rest of the car as far as rust? I would check out the areas that usually go bad on these in northern climates. The firewall behind the dash and rear wheel wells.
Good luck! I would fix it but I can weld/paint. I enjoy working on cars and that makes all the difference.

 

This is not "how to fix it" information but something that is obvious .Shops that specialize in doing quick easy " insurance paid for" jobs will not want to take on one like that unless its $$$$


a few photo of the entire car so we can see what it is your trying to save, because from the photos you have shown it might run but with the corroding floor pans and this I would think its un drivable, Correct ?

 

Ron U.S.M.C., the car is drivable. I may not be smart to do so, but it is drivable. I will work on getting more pics, it is freezing cold here and there is snow everywhere.

 

If the strut tower is in that bad of shape, I'd be concerned about how bad the rest of the car is. I'd hate to see you spend, say, 3 grand for the strut tower, 5 grand for the underbody, 4 grand for each quarter panel, ect.... If that were the only rust on the car then I'd say go for it, but that doesn't sound like its the case.

 

I stripped and scrapped an 88 digital dash gta for that same issue.Good Luck in your efforts to keep your formula alive!!