63' S-22 frame damage......advice?

[Will58]

All, new to the forum and rookie 1963 Comet Convertible S22 owner. Overall the car is in fair shape (20 footer), engine purrs and has been running great but I made a rookie mistake and missed on some major frame issues that were deliberately hidden fairly well. Driver's side frame rail (along bottom of door) is rotted out, J box needs to be replaced and possibly more needed. I'm told it may cost between $5 to $6.5K to fix it properly and I need some advice.......any more economical workaround suggestions? Shop referral of local prospect (Detroit area) who may be willing to take the job on? Or do I abandon this, part it out or sell it as is and start over again? Appreciate any advice. Thanks

[Rocket989]

Ouch man....

That stuff is all fixable (off the cuff without seeing pics), but if you farm it out vs. doing yourself, yah it's going to be pricey. Or a lot of work if you decide to do it.

'63 'vert S22's are fairly rare but I'd make the decision on whether or not the car meant enough to me.

Throw up some pics of the affected areas if ya can.

[poboyjo65]

Sounds like time to learn how to weld!! I have an outer rocker I'd sell,already off the car. chances are you need the inner one too. Most regular body shops are collision repair specialists & dont like all the harder work.& it may just sit in their shop forever. you will need to find someone who restores old cars & he wont be cheap either.

[Jims65cyclone]

Welcome aboard! Like John said, most body shops are collision repair shops. They want to get a car in, turn it in a day or two, get it out and another in. They don't want to tie up a bay for weeks doing tedious restoration work, and if they do, they need to charge enough to compensate for what they COULD have done in that bay doing their normal stock and trade. You need a shop that specializes in restoration work. I Googled "car restoration shops in detroit" and got a pretty long list. Some look like collision shops, but there were several that looked promising. https://www.google.com/search?q=car+res ... .1;start:0
Be prepared for sticker shock, though. Try going to some local car shows and cruise-ins and do some elbow rubbing. You might be able to get some leads on restoration shops. Good luck!
Jim

[Will58]

Appreciate all the feedback and time out of your day to give me your thoughts. I think I may need to learn how to weld. Appreciate the list, Jim. My quote is actually from one of those shops - they are great to work with and reputable. So I feel I have a decent option. Was also hoping to possibly find someone looking for a job on the side that has more experience than me for a little less....... but may be wishful thinking at this point. I will post some pics too (I need to get back to the shop to take a few). They have been cool and not kicking me out while I explore some options.

[Groover]

I'd suspect as for price, the options are (in order)

1. Do it yourself
2. Find another car
3. Pay to fix this one.

It's a rare car, but I bet you could find one in better shape cheaper than you can have a shop fix this one (although we haven't seen the pictures).

Good news is that nobody is ever going to see the welding work you do so unless you're into total concourse, this is a perfect project to start on.

[Lou's Comet]

Appreciate all the feedback and time out of your day to give me your thoughts. I think I may need to learn how to weld. Appreciate the list, Jim. My quote is actually from one of those shops - they are great to work with and reputable. So I feel I have a decent option. Was also hoping to possibly find someone looking for a job on the side that has more experience than me for a little less....... but may be wishful thinking at this point. I will post some pics too (I need to get back to the shop to take a few). They have been cool and not kicking me out while I explore some options.

Not to be rude,, but this is not a job to learn to weld on. The inner rockers on a Comet Convertable are a huge part of the structural part of the car.

Just some highlights of the job,,,,Measurements need to be made before work, assuming the rockers aren't so bad that the measurements are already off. The car needs braced in the door frames and across between the rear door posts to support the car while the rockers are cut out. Interior needs to be removed, doors removed, and front suspension needs removed unless the new inner rockers are cut and put in in pieces then welded back together. Then there is the floor work and the convertable specific floor cross-brace...

Done wrong doors will not close right, roof will not fit right, structural strength of car will be compromised. The inner rockers are basically the frame of the car considering it is a uni-body car

The prices they gave you are reasonable. And if they are reputable (have experience doing this job) IMO that would be the way to go, or sell it and look for another one in better shape. But then you run the risk of one with a bad repair that is hidden well.

Lou

[Will58]

Good advice Groover/Lou. I was totally joking on the welding. Certainly seems like a complex job and don't plan to take it on at this point. Good to hear most of you feel they are quoting a fair price. I am keeping an eye out for another and possibly sell this......if that fails I may take a shot at this shop. Pics to come soon, I didn't forget. Thanks, guys!