A steep curve

[Rusty Otto]

Thanks for the welcome to the forum. I've just acquired a 71 RoadRunner that's in pretty rough shape. I've been advised to connect with this site as a great resource.

Knowing that my "new" car was going to need at least 1 frame rail replacement was one thing, but getting everything together to make the repairs happen is quite another. I appreciate a forum such as this where I may learn from the knowledge base, & hopefully steer around a few pitfalls along the restoration path. I'm aiming high-in hope that I don't provide too much unintended comic relief along the way.

 

[Builderguy]

Welcome aboard Sir, from the middle of the mitten. Enjoy your project and best of luck in the build.

 

[polywideblock]

g'day from Australia

 

[oldbee]

Welcome aboard from Ohio. 'Comic relief' is always welcome,lightens the serious thinking; but we still try to impart real knowledge.

 

[Mike67]

Welcome from Texas!
Suggest starting a build thread so you can document you journey and get help from years of experience of the members here.
Now post some pics!

 

[Photon440]

Rusty Otto, you've picked one of the best names to describe the start of so many projects on here.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Welcome from Alabama, if it were not for projects these cars would not be getting back on the road. A little progress day by day makes it happen.

 

[440Coronet500]

Welcome from Michigan, the Motor City! Pics are always welcome, they can help us help you. 440'

 

[Ironbuilt]

Welcome from North Carolina.

 

[Hey-O]

Welcome from Missouri!!!

 

[68sprtsat383]

Welcome

 

[66383]

from Ky. Make it happen!

 

[HD539]

Welcome from the Pacific Northwest

 

[mr. b]

welcome to FBBO lots of great people here that will help

 

[Budnicks]

Welcome to FBBO

good luck with the 71 RR rustoration project

 

[Rusty Otto]

Thanks to you all for the warm welcome. I'll take a few photos & post them: as suggested, it's be a great idea to have a before-during-after. With luck, it will be apparent which is the "before."
Finally captured a couple of glamour-shots:
The firewood is hopefully not a permanent addition, just a field-expedient deck closure assist at the moment.
Overall, the car seems relatively straight- from a distance. However, the corrosion keeps making me nervous. It's been a bit cool out, and I've not gotten a really good idea of what is serious trouble, and what's just in need of general attention. Certainly the floors are gone (some thin metal was laid over the original floor quite some time ago- the original steel is pretty much missing all the way across, including the driveline tunnel). Front LF subframe is really bad. The RH is not nearly as ugly- just don't know if it's also a candidate for removal or if it's salvageable. Torsion x-member has totally failed- falling apart just sitting there under effects of gravity. Rear frame rails are worrisome, don't know if they're gone though. I think the car's had at least one paint job, similar to original color- it appears to not be sticking too well these days.

 

[Rusty Otto]

A quick question related to the current status of this car: are there any elements of the vehicle that ought to remain in place until the known frame & cross-member issues are stabilized/repaired? I am even hesitant to remove the bumpers at this point- just in case they're helping keep things properly oriented. Any advice for the truly uninitiated to the world of unibody repair?