Hi all,

I'm new to the site and recently acquired a 1969 442 Convertible, 400BB with a TH400, PB, PS, manual windows, seats, locks. It is very, very, very rough, but all of the numbers match and I'm hoping to build it back from the ground up. Biggest hurdle is going to be getting replacement hinge pillars located and replaced and finding a good price on a new core support. The hinge pillars are rotted out and I am hoping someone can tell me what cars share those with the 69 convertible 2 door?

Thanks for having me!

 

It looks like a lot of work to me! I think that you would be better off trying to find a donor car with less rust. Just my opinion.

 

Welcome aboard, I hate rust and what you see is only part of what you have! I'm from California and rust here isn't near the issue that the Eastern states are use to repairing and putting up with but that looks seriously bad.. I would think about the donor car thing before it becomes a major money pit. Just my thoughts from afar..... Tedd

 

Wow, that's rough. Maybe a re-body would work out cheaper. Here'a good one. The cost of tin worm repair on yours would be very costly.

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/d...106746397.html

 

I am being very cautious about spending on it until I can get a good handle on the total cost to rebuild it. Which I won't really know until I get it stripped down the rest of the way and can get a complete parts list together. Right now, the good parts are worth several times what I paid for it. I am pleased to find that the great majority of the sheet metal appears to be available in aftermarket and am planning to do 95% of the work myself along with my 13 year old son. If I can find the right deal on a shell in good shape, I will seriously consider that.

 

Here's something that may interest you. When you add up time, labor, tracking down parts, yada yada, I think it would be worth the money. Jmo.

https://redirect.viglink.com/?format...106746397.html

 

Opps, someone beat me to it.

 

Welcome aboard

The steering wheel is worth a small fortune

 

How is the trunk pan? If that’s good you have a head start!

 

You might want to concider getting the drive train put back and get it running just the way it sits. The trend these days is original patina!

 

Welcome to the site Randallp26, where are you located? You might be able to find a 1968-69 Cutlass hardtop shell that's sound and take it apart for what you need. If the Sheetmetal is good around the convertible top the lower parts and even the cowl could use parts from a more common hardtop to replace it. I agree that there's treasure there in the parts if you decide not to fix it. But getting a parts car with good metal may save you time and money rather than getting pieces here and there. How is the frame? That will need to be a convertible only part, or if you want to go to the effort take the front and middle sections from a Vista Cruiser to splice in and replace 2/3 or 3/4 of the frame that way if needed. Big project, more than I'd want to undertake. But if you have the time and patience anything is possible! John

 

You're a braver man than I am.

 

The stainless trim on the trunk lid lip is also very hard to find.

 

The trunk lid is good and the trunk pan is pretty solid, chrome fender and door mouldings are good. Frame is solid. I think I can get the great majority of the body pieces from a cutlass hardtop. Being cautiously optimistic and have no deadline, so we'll see...

 

Good luck with your build, Have you really examined the frame carefully? because they are not easy to come by because they are boxed, I am quite surprised by the floor rot, the inner rear fender wells are not reproduced you need to modify hard top ones, same with the rear quarters, I would worry about disturbing any sheet metal before you get it fully braced, with the floor like that things will shift and quickly get away from you.
I will say that looks like a very big job, I would consider finding a donor myself, and I am a diehard , LOL... but as was said I don't know what your skill set is, and what kind of time you have so good luck and welcome to the forums I will be following along

 

Was that under water? Youre definitely gonna need a parts car( or two).

 

It will be strongly braced inside before getting into cutting off any sheet metal. There is one spot on the frame in front of the right rear tire that has a slight deformation upward in the bottom rail (looks like somebody did a dukes of hazard jump and landed on a rock) but it seems to be straight overall. I've hit the frame all over with a hammer and nothing is soft. Slow and steady wins the race with this one. I am not a professional, but have welding experience and have spent several years working in various auto shops. The one thing I have going for me is being a perfectionist and having no time line for completion. Not afraid to make mistakes and have really appreciated the feedback from others. By the time it is done, it will be pretty much new metal all around.

 

I hear you I drove my 69 vert into the garage in 1994 LOL... just to do a couple of quick patches and a lacquer paint job, well life takes over and I am still at it, just put the body back on the frame, did quarters etc , gets kind of hairy LOL... one good thing you wont be on your back sanding a floor pan LOL... hang in there we are here for you when you need help

 

Are you located in N.C., I might be able to help with the hinge pillars.
Shawn