The rear window frame in my Wildcat had 5 holes in it. We ground them out, sprayed rust killer in the holes and welded new metal into the holes. It took some time, but I used to have a waterfall in the rain, now, everything is dry. All thanks and credit go to my Brother-in-laws Ray and Gordie. They are the best. I did the grunt work. They cut and welded. To get the window out, we used a bike cable and two vice grips. Just sawed it out.
Jason, if you pull the motor and want to clean the frame use a 3M rolock disc with a small angle grinder to clean the frame it'll strip the paint and rust and leave no marks in the frame works great when I did the frame on restoration on my car years ago.
Mark just put an idea in my head...hmmm If I pulled the body off the frame, I could get the frame blasted and powdercoated....
IIRC that car was bought by Rick Hendricks. I wonder where it is now. Late to the thread. I do not think that car was a documented Stage 1 car.
His buddy Craig Jackson bought the red 71 stage one bench seat 4 speed that Thorton restored for 145+ commission a year before Rick bought the black one.
I have some NOS transmission line clips here for you, all painted yellow and ready to pop on once you yank that drivetrain. Hell, you may even get a surprise in the mail in the coming weeks...
Not sure about being documented I know there was a question about it having original transmission you can contact Nick Serwo he may know more about it.