I have an original '73 Buick Estate wagon. It is a driver in good condition. The only rust problem is the dogleg on both sides of car. It is rotted all the way through. I imagine if I hit this area with a hammer, it would be much larger than I think. Does anybody make prefabricated parts for this area? If not, what is the proper way to fix it?
I do not believe so and I don't think the earlier years would work. Best bet is to find a pair of good fenders and replace them. Keep in mind that the areas behind the dogleg are likely bad too - the floor areas in the corner, etc.
There was a set of 73 fenders on the NH craigslist. Listed as 73 electric fenders.. they were rust free and looked nice.
Okay here are a few pics. Driver's side is the worst...not as bad on the passenger side. Car is clean except for these 2 areas. I have to cut this entire area out? Has anybody done this? Then fabricate the entire area?
Any other division's wagon should be the same in that area. BOPC. Pretty much everything behind the firewall is the same. Doors and rear Quarter sheet metal likely had divisional cues and are probably slightly different. Tailgates ('72-'76) and most glass - same. I did (past tense) have access to a '74 Chev full size wagon for a spell, but it is crushed now. Had derby people going ga-ga over it, but once it's in the yard, its not coming out whole. Did sell most of front clip - yep to derby people.
That's a simple little place ...cut out the cancer,..por 15 the under structure,...do the piece that faces the door first then roll the other in to match the contour,..OR,....blast the area,..epoxy the area,..use Dynaglass,..or similar and smooth it out and spot the area in,...it will last many years especially if kept inside