My dilema

Rustbucket · Post by **Rustbucket** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:42 am

Heya! Sounds exactly like my 'case'
Its heartbreaking to see one particular car here being done in a matter of months on this forum, when mine is still unfinished after ten years.
But hey, some people are lucky like that

Firstly, you own a 356. Crappy or not, just finding one for sale is hard enough!!!
You CAN weld. I learnt on my 356, and, well, you can tell if you really know what to look for, or get on your hands and knees. But the cars for me, not a client, and I can live with it. Everything matches up where it should though !!!!
Plus it only cost me a few grazed knuckles, some excellent welding burns, and the price of the welder ( £180) the panels (£800 odd I think) and say £200 in gas and wire and a joggler.
So for and outlay of a grand- just over (spread out too- you don't need every panel in one go) you can completely replace the bottom 6 inches or so of the car.
If you can use a hot glue gun, are physically able to work on your back, and can put a shelf up straight on a wall, then you can do the work yourself.....
I wouldn't strip it all out in one go, however, unless you knew you don't have to move it. Mines seen 4 different homes, and I am sure I've lost bits on the way!. Plus, looking at a mess of rusty metal is quite soul destroying. Only take off parts and bare metal something when you work in that area.
Its scary to think its taken me so long, but most of that was because the car wasn't local to me.

One way to think of it is this. Lets say it takes you two years. If you saved up a sum of money every month for two years, would you have enough to buy a better 356 at the end of it? If so, that might be the easiest option. However, if the money you save is enough to get you a new interior only, well, then Id go for the new interior, and do the work yourself, as by that time you have saved for a new interior, you will have a very solid 356 to put it in.

Mine, by the way, is currently in its refit stage !

356boy · Post by **356boy** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:12 pm

try and do the work yourself, welding really isnt that hard, trust me, just practice on some scrap steel for a couple of days and you'll wonder what all the worrying was about, obviously just ask the 'how to' basics from the welding supplier. i think there are enough of us on here who would be most helpfull if you were stuck and needed info. as its been said before, rat look 356's can look pretty cool.
keep it and good luck

356lover · Post by **356lover** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 6:35 pm

Thanks for all the great advise peeps.

It never stops suprising me what a great bunch of people there are on this forum.

It looks like all in favour of keeping it

you never know I might be lucky with a few repair panels and a couple of cans of matt black and I could have a proper rat look 356 on the road.

Next step is the inspection by my friend, hopefully it will be good news.

Might have alook to see if there is an evening course on welding and fabrication I can book myself on and have a go

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:17 pm

Maybe you can persuade Barry to run another masterclass in fabrication?

All else fails I'll buy it off you for a tenner

Good luck, and post up some pictures of it's state now so we can go 'oooo' and 'aahhhh' when appropriate

356lover · Post by **356lover** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:24 pm

What do you reckon Barry?

I'll have to think about your offer Barry

Rustbucket · Post by **Rustbucket** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:59 am

I go 'ooh ' and 'aah' everytime I see his forum pic.

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:04 am

Rustbucket wrote:I go 'ooh ' and 'aah' everytime I see his forum pic.

...thing is, that's actually him...

356lover · Post by **356lover** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:23 pm

If my butt actually looked that good id probably have you lot falling all over yourselves to do my welding