Foreward: I checked the "is my car rare" list and it's on it halfway down; 5,000 cars made.

My parents bought a 91' RS L03 convertible new back in the day. This old car was my Mom's DD, she drove it back and forth to work through most Chicago winters over the years. Despite that she worked close to home and it barely has 100k on it.

I'm in my 20's and recently got into Camaro enthusiasm (I have a 97 z28). The reason i wanted to say that, is that I need an excuse to clear my name about letting my mom abuse what is potentially a rare (and awesome) car. No major accidents at least.

She really didn't take great care of the car, hardly ever washed/waxed, left it outside in bad weather, and as a result it has some pretty significant rust damage on the undercarriage and ground effect brackets. Some mean dents. It has *huge* rust holes in the wheelwells and the floor. It also has like zero clearcoat, though the body otherwise has little rust. The top is (amazingly) in good condition. Air element and catback are the only mods. The engine runs well and the trans responds OK.

I have enough enthusiasm to work on a project like this, but would I be better off getting rid of it and buying a different 3rd gen with no rust? Has anyone else attacked major rust on the undercarriage without a lift? How big of a pain in the *** is this going to be?

 

I could sell you a mint condition 91 RS convertible for less then it'd cost to restore one that was beat, and it'd be a more solid, truly original car. But then you could probably buy one nearly as nice for half of what I want for mine if you really looked around. Unless there's a sentimental attachment to the car in question, I'd say it's probably not worth the trouble. Rust is one of those things... Body work is probably the single most expensive "no way out" repair out there. Unless you've got deep pockets, the skill to do it yourself, or a friend that will cut you a deal, you're really screwed.

 

I say go for it! Mine was a POS but it was my first car. I stuck with it and I'm so happy I did. Someday that car will return the favor, give it a chance at life once more! It's only got 100k on it! That car should be good for another 150k miles at least! And there aren't to many RS verts around!

 

With a lot of time and a lot of money, it could be nice.

However, rust is the deal-killer. Dents may be bad, but a car can run with dents, rust is another story entirely. If the holes are as bad as you're talking, it's probably too late to save that particular convertible. HOWEVER, if you find a solid body of ANOTHER convertible, you'll have a really great parts car, as well as a motor and tranny with 100k miles, which is decent for the age.

That would be my opinion- Find another vert and swap the motor and transmission, as well as any interior/exterior parts that are in better shape than the second car's. Then just throw paint on it and you'll have a nice car with an engine/trans with only 100k, even if the body has 300k. As long as you have a solid foundation to work on, at least. Avoid rust, it's an expensive setback that can cost you a nice car.

 

Got any pictures of it?