'69 Coronet Trunk Rust

[JimKueneman]

Starting to work on my Coronet find. The body is in outstanding shape, the rockers, wheel wells, quarter panels are all rock solid with almost no rust. Then you look at the trunk. I took the chrome edging off and someone has already bondo'ed it and I can press my finger through the metal where the chrome is screwed in place. The lip is totally rotted. Is this the worse place for rust on these cars? Does it make sense it could be that much worse than the rest of the car? I am wondering if the trunk took a dent and someone replaced the trunk? I have not started to strip it to see if there is another color under it or not.

Jim

 

[texas69bee]

The trunk is a bad spot for them to rust. Also, take the rear window trim off and check the lower corners.

 

[GetX'd]

The trunk pan is going to rot in these 68-69s so readily you'd think they should come from the factory like that so you wouldn't feel so bad.that area of the car is going to rust - bank on it. Lower quarters behind the back wheels is another predictable spot as well.

 

[JimKueneman]

The trunk pan is going to rot in these 68-69s so readily you'd think they should come from the factory like that so you wouldn't feel so bad.that area of the car is going to rust - bank on it. Lower quarters behind the back wheels is another predictable spot as well.

I just stripped the trunk and yes it was starting but it is still solid.

Need to decide if I should spend the effort fixing the trunk with new metal or a new trunk. Opinions?

Jim

 

[Dennis H]

Trunk floor in mine had some surface rust AND some pin-hole perforation. It still had structure integrity - to some degree. Wire brushed it, patched, and coated it with rust arrestor. Brand I don't remember. Has not changed for 20 years. New mat. Don't care, lots of other places to spend money. I say coat it and forget it for now. Depends on your wallet size and if you care. Mine will get a new trunk floor. When the next owner puts one in.

 

[JimKueneman]

Sorry I did not communicate well there. The entire car is solid except for the trunk lid. Also the car is a '68 not '69, fat fingers I guess. It looks like any trunk for a '68 is better than none! I see threads here where a trunk goes for $1000 and I am not finding where there is an aftermarket one available...

It turns out the trunk is from a different car. It was a deep red/maroon color under the white. That explains why it is the only rusty thing on the car. The entire back edge of the trunk lid is full of bondo. I may need to learn sheet metal work to fix it right...

Jim

Nope I found an aftermarket for $218

 

[flypaper]

a nice 68 lid is a hard find
i've seen mint ones go for 1200
i would fix what you got and if it isn't satisfactory
have the loot ready and keep your eyes peeled
because they don't last for sale very long when they do pop up.

 

[JimKueneman]

Finally stripped the 1/2" of bondo to see what was under there. Is this worth fixing or buy an aftermarket? Three patches brazed on top of the old rusty deck and filled with way to much bondo.