From a person who knows little about cars, but wishing to learn badly. How much work is involved in replacing the floor and trunk of a car that is rotted out? I'd really like to buy a 65 skylark convertable in my neiborhood, but i would like to know what i'm getting into money wise first, casue i dont' have too much (-= THanx
Doug

Doug,
I own a 69 skylark convertible with a replacement trunk. Cutting medal out of the car is simple. Welding a new trunk and floors in is where you'll need to get some help.

You can cut the bad stuff and grid away the rust yourself. A body shop can put new floor and trunk in a couple hours. Your job of doing all the prep work is where the labor is.

I drew an outline of what I wanted to remove. Then I checked, checked, and checked again that I wasn't cutting anything else. Following this I drilled guide holes all around the outline of the work area. Then I chopped the trunk out in sections being super careful not to cut into other stuff... say the gas tank... Have a body shop fabricate a new trunk. They'll weld it in and seal it.


Also... If you're worried about money on body work, be more concerned about buying a car that you can get running well. You can learn how to do all the work yourself, it'll just take some time.

Questions to ask yourself...
Does it run...?
Will you need new tires, shocks, suspension.
What's the milage...?
etc etc.

Get a friend who knows cars to give it a look over.

I got mine for $3k @ 107k miles.. I've spent probably $1k on tools, tires, shocks, etc, but have gotten it running really well.

Good luck.