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I am considering buying a barracuda that needs alot of body work. I wanted to do most of it myself. I have a two car garage, plenty of tools, and some welding experience, but no autobody experince. My question is, how difficult would it be for me to, for example replace the trunk floor, trunk extensions, wheel housings, and then maybe have a local body shop hang the quarters? Any advice? This car also needs rockers, and some fender repair. Thanks Guys.




After the past year plus of re-doing the "restoration work" of other shops on 3 'Cuda's, I could write a book about how NOT to fix a 'Cuda body.
Instead, here are some quick tips. Excuse the caps, but they are for emphasis.

If the wheels are off,

Support the body (frame rails) at the points where the suspension's load would be. ESPECIALLY if it's a convertible. In other words, you want it supported in back under the rear end housing/axle tubes. If the rear is out, support at the kick-up where the shock x-crossmember is. In front, at the suspension/engine cradle (K-member). If K-member is out, support under the frame rails where the lower control arm snubber mount is.

DO NOT use jack stands at the torque box locations because the body WILL sag. You do not want to weld panels on a sagging body.

Work replacement from inside out, and panel fitment from rear to front.
That means, in your case, to assure that the 1/4's and rockers fit, install and align the trunk lid and doors to the original, rusted panels.

If you need to replace the rear body panel, it's the perfect time to slide in the 1 piece trunk floor.

If you feel you cannot install the 1/4's, let the shop install the outer wheel housings and trunk floor side extensions. Best to fit those parts while fitting the 1/4 panel. Another required part for the same fitting operation is the rear valance panel. That will determine the placement of the extensions and 1/4's.



Also, do not paint the car until the wheel opening mouldings have been screwed on. They will not fit the replacement 1/4's well, and repro mouldings are worse, so best to deal with that prior to paint. Same goes for the side marker bezels. If the side floor extensions are angled too high, they will interfere with the markers.

Like suggested above, use 1/8 screws to stabilize and fit panels and weld after EVERYTHING fits like it should.

Good luck with your project.

Steve

www.clarkclassic.com