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Well I've finally been given "permission" to begin the extensive rebuild process on my 1981 242 GLT. She's a little rough, no question about it... I've had the car for about four years now, and mechanically it's almost tip top (for a car that is now pushing 400,000 km's) Asside for some power steering work there's not much left for me to do... except for the body.
We've got some serious rust issues here: It needs front fenders as they are quite rusted behind the wheel wells. The inner fenders look good so this shouldn't be too much of a problem. Both doors are rusted badly down the bottom door seams, but once again, not too much of a problem as I have already aquired another set of doors that are almost mint. Now comes the bad stuff. Both rockers are rusted at the rear wheels, and the rust has creeped up to the rear quarter panels. I have a new set of rockers for it, but it looks like some metal fab will be required to patch the quarters.. or they will need to be replaced as well. The worst is obviously the tubs behind the wheel wells... passenger side is not too bad but the drivers' side is not pretty at all. I don't even know if you can get new metal for this part of the car. The floor and frame are actually still in good shape, so I'm thinking a restoration is still possible. Once the body is done, it will be a fair weather car, and will live in the garage where it is not subject to the ravages of our Canadian climate, but I'm wondering how feasible a job like this is... has anyone else attempted to "de-rust" an old 240 ? I have done a little body work (prep and such) but the metal work will have to be done by a shop. Any ideas on how to tackle this job ?
Thanks in advance,
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Chris Wagner, 1981 242 GLT, 1999 Toyota Tacoma, 2004 Jetta TDI
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