Need some help

[Young Gun]

So I am at a loss at what to do. We have the nova body sitting in the garage up on blocks. It is in primer so more rusting will not be an issue. Anyways, I dont have the capabilities to do the metal repairs, and it would cost enough to where it is just not economical. Therefore, we are going to start with a new nova, a solid one, not requiring any metal work. The guy at the scrap yard said he would give us a little cash for the body, but I feel guilty doing that. The car has a clean and clear title in our name, so I feel bad crushing a car that somebody could at least use for the vin. At the same time, for somebody who can do metal work, it would not be too bad a project. It needs inner and outer tubs, lower quarters patched, tail section, dash, drivers floor, and trunk pan replaced, plus a few little rust repair spots. Its a decent amount required, but not undoable for somebody will bodywork skills, skills I dont have. I am curious what everybody here thinks, is it realistic to think that somebody would be interested in something like this, or is taking it to the scrapman a better idea? Input/ ideas grately appreciated...

[ironworks]

Sounds like you need to send that bad boy to me in California and I will build a C6 corvette tube chassis for it. All the stuff that is rusty gets cut out anyway. Don't scrap that thing it sounds like a great car for somebody to fix or make a great race car out of. I would love to find a 1st or 2nd gen nova with those problems so I could build a twin turbo outlaw race car. The 10.5 drag radial car we run now has no floor from right behind the b pillar back now and has a few patches in the floor for rust. And it runs 7.60 in the quarter

If your going to scrap it call me.

[vp23271]

YoungGun, Don't crush it! Maybe find someone local who has the metal fab skills to teach you (that would be fun)? Or sell/trade it to someone who already has the skills and can finish the project.

If you continue your search and find another Nova, you run the chance the next one might be in worse condition. You can get a good idea of the condition by doing a basic inspection, but after media blasting you might have some more surprises.

[MrQuick]

I agree....how bad can it be?

Finding a rust free body is going to be tough. Out of all of the Novas
I have build only one was near rust free. It was garaged all its life.

Im keeping my eye out for you.

[redfire69]

I'm sure there is someone out there who would buy the shell from you (with a clear title!!). Good luck on your search for another...

[Over Actor]

I'd say buy a welder and a book on metal fab and go from there. or lookinto a local community college/tech college, most have welding classes and body shop classes. and a stupid cheap like 80 or less per class. Do a class on body repair.. Do the body repair on your car for class. Then do a car on Painting, again your car would make a great genuea pig.

Good luck. Jut dont scrap it.

[jackfrost]

my car is in a pretty similar situation. I don't really know what I'm doing, but I'm going to practice welding and try and repair it myself. I don't think it will be that hard in the end, and after all, what's the worst that could happen? I might make it worse? doubtful...

keep it. even if you want to work on a clean body for now, at some point you'll want it to screw around on.

[Young Gun]

Part of the reason I need to get rid of it is space, I cant get a new car in here until this one is gone. I just cant fit it in. The other problem is that I currently dont have time to learn how to do all of that, and while I plan on learning in the future, now really is not a great time for that. i also have a line on a car that has never needed body work done and is in great shape. I can get it for a pretty good price, and by parting out the stuff I dont want/need I can recouperate quite a bit on the car. So at that point even if I did do the body work myself, it would be more expensive for the sheet metal alone.

I really dont wanna crush it because like rodger said somebody could make it into a race car or fix it if they have those skills. And with a clear title somebody could definately use it. I think I will probly put it up for sale once I find out how much the scrap guy would give me. Ill sell it for what he offers I think, doubt people would be willing to pay much anywho... thanks for the input so far everybody, keep it coming!

[Paul_J]

Have you tried posting it for sale on the Houston Graig's list? I bet you could get a little bit more that "scrap" value fairly easy. What do you want for the car as is?

[Young Gun]

thanks for all the input so far guys...i got a line on a subframe, rear end, and springs for a nova for pretty cheap, so im gonna try and pick those up this weekend and get it to be a roller...then ill put her up for sale...then hopefully before the end of summer we will have the new nova ready to go!

[strtlegal]

hopefully you can get this project back up and running i would like to see how its going to turn out..

maybe you can cut some costs on the money you were going to spend on a Max G chassis and put in the metal work on the current car you have.

Just find some shop to do the metal work, no biggie. For what your wanting to do to a nova you should start with just a shell and leave the complete cars alone..... and save some money by not buying a complete car..

[ssdeuce]

I am in the same boat with my 69 Nova. I've let it set for 3 years now not knowing what to do with it.

[ssdeuce]

I just looked at your thread link. I wish my Nova looked that good. I think you have a keeper for sure.

[69Nova]

If your gonna try and just get rid of it for cheap let me know. It'd make a perfect car for what I want to do.