I have my engine out of my SV and I planned on sandblasting and painting the engine compartment. I knew my car had some body damage (been hit in the front, rust areas, etc) so I looked more at what problems I might face. I have some small rusted out area low rear areas of the fender, pin holes in the floor boards, larger holes in trunk, etc. All of which I know is normal and repairable.
The rest of the sheet metal is in reasonably good shape and was sandblasted, undercoated, and painted before before being parked in the previous owners garage in the mid-80's as a project never completed.
What I have a concern about is some damage to the frame in the engine compartment and in the front part of the X-frame under the body (and maybe other areas I'm not aware of). The front "U" part of the frame in the engine compartment looks straight, but on the left side of the car, there is some damage to the frame part that sits on top of the "U" and comes up along the fender. There is also some damage to the part of the underbody "X" under the left front side of the car. I have driven the car some (100 miles) and it seems to be okay, but I know that doesn't always point to a good frame.
I can handle the mechanical issues, and body damage is usually only cosmetic can can be covered or replaced with new sheet metal. But I don't have any experience in dealing with frame damage.
So far, all of the resortation work I have done can easily be transferred to another car so it isn't a waste of time. However, before I start doing any body or frame work, I want to make sure it is viable to be restored and won't cost more than it is worth. Is this something that a typical body shop could look at and give advice or do I need to go to a more specialized restoration shop. I live in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago so if anyone knows of a shop or an Alpine expert in the area, that would be great. I tried taking some pictures, but it is not easy to show bent metal with pictures.
As can be seen in the under body pictures, the front scalloped section is bent up and the cross part of the 'X' is concaved instead of flat.
In the engine compartment pictures there are indications of a front left impact: the front lower section by where the horn mounts is wrinkled and the bracket on the fender for the for the firewall to fender stiffner is bent.
Thanks,
Mike Tanner
The rest of the sheet metal is in reasonably good shape and was sandblasted, undercoated, and painted before before being parked in the previous owners garage in the mid-80's as a project never completed.
What I have a concern about is some damage to the frame in the engine compartment and in the front part of the X-frame under the body (and maybe other areas I'm not aware of). The front "U" part of the frame in the engine compartment looks straight, but on the left side of the car, there is some damage to the frame part that sits on top of the "U" and comes up along the fender. There is also some damage to the part of the underbody "X" under the left front side of the car. I have driven the car some (100 miles) and it seems to be okay, but I know that doesn't always point to a good frame.
I can handle the mechanical issues, and body damage is usually only cosmetic can can be covered or replaced with new sheet metal. But I don't have any experience in dealing with frame damage.
So far, all of the resortation work I have done can easily be transferred to another car so it isn't a waste of time. However, before I start doing any body or frame work, I want to make sure it is viable to be restored and won't cost more than it is worth. Is this something that a typical body shop could look at and give advice or do I need to go to a more specialized restoration shop. I live in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago so if anyone knows of a shop or an Alpine expert in the area, that would be great. I tried taking some pictures, but it is not easy to show bent metal with pictures.
As can be seen in the under body pictures, the front scalloped section is bent up and the cross part of the 'X' is concaved instead of flat.
In the engine compartment pictures there are indications of a front left impact: the front lower section by where the horn mounts is wrinkled and the bracket on the fender for the for the firewall to fender stiffner is bent.
Thanks,
Mike Tanner