[grivera]

This summer I was given a 69 Lemans Convertible 350, TH4000 with numbers matching engine and drivetrain. It needs minor mechanical work but major body work. That is front and rear floor pans need patching, driver's side fender needs replacement, needs full trunk pan, and every other body panel needs some level of rust repair. The frame looks solid from what I can see and the body mounts look like replacements. A friend is gonna eventually sell me a decent driver's side fender off his GTO and I already acquired a mint trunk lid. The mechanical side is no issue but bodywork is a skill I haven't gained yet.

I do have a Hobart 140 mig welder and have only done spot welding with it - not a whole lot. Since I have two other nice drivable Pontiacs, the wait isn't a big deal. My thought process is I can gain some mig welding skill patching the floor pans first, then onto the trunk pan. Then I would like to tackle the body panels.

The plan is to make it roadworthy, patch the floor pans and then slow walk the rest of the body work. Should a novice even attempt this type of thing or best left to the pros? Seems pricing on bodywork would be more than the value of the completed car. I welcome all thoughts and comments on this- especially from any similarly unskilled folks out there who have attempted this type level of work.