[makilaak]

Hi! I am planning to buy a 69 GTO convertible, but I am worried about the rust around windshield. What you think, would this be a difficult job to get fixed? Is this normal area for a convertible? I know that floor pans should be fixed as well.

Also the endura bumper is hit so it don't match with the hood. That isn't easy task either?

Thanks!

[rexs73gto]

That amount of rust at the windshield area is going to cost a lot to fix because you have to remove the windshield & replace the dash metal area & all the metal under the makes up the lower dash to. The ;ower dash is the entire cowel area which you will have to find a doner car that is rust free in tht area to use the entire dash/cowel area to replce what you have now. Think 4-6K to fix thay part of the rust plus the floor area because it's been leaking in the floor & rusting the floor to. Your gonna need deep pockets to fix that one.

[makilaak]

Thanks - that I was afraid of.

[salem1912]

My bumper was out of shape similar to yours, after bending, twisting and more bending.I got in shape. I used a floor jack and a car lift(something stationary). The rust under the w/shield is a tough job by not uncommon for A body's. Shop around different body shops that would be comfortable doing that kind of job.

[chris66]

This issue can be fixed reasonably by the right metal work guy. Ask around your area about various club guys to see who would be able to help you out. Not a real difficult job it a person takes their time and your can find a donor cowl. Until you take out the windshield, you dont know the extent of the rust. All depends on the price of the purchase. Many of us have brought back worse cars with rust damage.

[makilaak]

Well the issue is then as I am located in Finland, that we don't have any donor cars and certainly it is not easy to find a person who has ever welded a 69 GTO before. The parts should be transported from U.S.
I think the risk is too high and I will give up buying that...

[webfoot]

I would bet that the area under the lower windshield stainless is swiss cheese as well, good choice on passing.

[pugslyx234]

Price is right its worth it , my vert didnt do that but even if i would still would have got it cause price was great.

[PontiacTempest]

Thought you might enjoy a couple of pictures. Some of the panels you might need are being reproduced. The new panels aren't perfect, but can be made to work. It's not that hard of a job to replace these rusted areas, just time.

[makilaak]

And the time is the issue for me...

[Judas]

I would pass unless its very cheap. There are 3 layers of sheet metal in that area, and if the top one is rusted the others may as well. On my 69, one spot rusted through all 3 layers to the actual passenger compartment...and this wasnt nearly as bad as those pics.