Trunk Sandwich

[Pat O']

Hello,

I'm starting to remove the interior of my car and getting ready to get some pricing from some shops for the body work and re-paint that I would like. In the trunk of my 1972 Dodge Challenger it looks like a fairly new panel is in place, at least from the top. Going down below there is a bit of a swiss cheese effect going on. Looking at it a few times now it appears that the original panel, which is rusting out was capped with a newer piece. I've attached some photo's. Two from the top and 2 from underneath. While I'm certainly not an expert, the newer top panel seems to have been bonded with a heavy duty adhesive and not welded. On one side, by the screw driver, you can see that rust was working it's way through the seam.

I'm wondering if this piece is bonded or sealed to the top of the existing trunk, would a heat gun let me loosen it up enough to lift the new panel and see what is going on underneath? I can pry it out with a screw driver right now but it's pretty stubborn. Of course the gas tank is coming out next, which will give me a better idea from below. I don't have any experience with sheet metal and I'm sure it will need to be replaced, I just want as much of the bad stuff exposed so I can get realistic estimates.

As a side note, anyone here on the boards have any recent experience with body shops in the Denver area?   

Thanx for any comments.

[Pat O']

I've been working on my car the past few months. My first priority was the trunk area.

I had the entire car blasted including part of the trunk. We cut out a few welds and found that most of the newer "top" panel was held in place by seam sealer.

The first couple of pics show the interior of the trunk and the original trunk pan. Certainly confirmed my initial worries.

[Pat O']

Here are some more pics. The trunk area before and after surgery to remove the offending sheet metal and the resultant slice of Swiss cheese.

[Pat O']

Finally, here are a couple of pics of the trunk with the tail panel test fitted along with all new AMD panels - Trunk pan and both extensions and a new trunk lid. As is usually the case we found more problems as we went. The extensions were rotted and the areas behind the rear wheels were really hacked and patched. But that is a different thread.

[MirageCuda]

   Very nice work! Want to do mine next? 

[shawge]

Looking good!

[burdar]

You're doing it the right way.  Keep up the good work!  Don't start multiple threads on this build.  Keep everything together in one post.  It's easier to keep track of the progress that way.  You can ask a mod to move this to the "Member Projects" section if you want to.

['Cuda Hunter]

Another tip.

If your not using a photo hosting website like photobucket or image shack, the pictures will be removed once a year when the site is cleaned up. They will end up being little red x's.
So if you want your pictures to stay, get a photobucket account and post your pictures from there.

Great lookin work!  Let's see some more!

[Pat O']

Thank you for the tips and compliments. I'll go ahead and start a new thread on the Members restoration project in the next days or so.

[Challenger in NC]

Finally, here are a couple of pics of the trunk with the tail panel test fitted along with all new AMD panels - Trunk pan and both extensions and a new trunk lid. As is usually the case we found more problems as we went. The extensions were rotted and the areas behind the rear wheels were really hacked and patched. But that is a different thread.

I feel your pain, going through the same ordeal.

[ec_co]

are you doing the work or did you find someone? I need to find a metal worker in the area as well

[69CHARGERMD]

Nice job,,,,
My trunk was shot,,,,and also went with new AMD trunk pans,,,,,nice stuff....

Keep the pictures coming,,,,

Doug

[Pat O']

I've started a new thread on the members restoration projects forum that goes into a bit more detail on my car.


Doug, have you determined if you are going with body color in your trunk or are you going to use a spatter type paint?

Thanx

Pat