My '74 wagon went to the body shop for paint a few months back and was supposed to get the window channels repaired. Fast forward and the shop is now in over their head and not going to go forward with project (they did another car for me that has turned out beautifully). I head over to check it out today and find out the state and it appears that the interior and bumpers are all dismantled, the window channels are rotten away and the glass likely won't go back in without welding new metal in. Pictures: So now I've got a decision to make. I'm hauling it home before too much longer, but it obviously needs help. What was a presentable and drivable car is now no longer and is a basket case. Do I bother fixing this and getting the glass and interior fixed? Anyone had any luck repairing these window channels in the '71-76 clamshell wagons? I can weld but have no experience forming metal channels like this.
SAD ! This just shows that there's more to rust than the eye can see. Sadly I see no economical way to repair this wagon.
Yeah, I definitely agree. I'm not above having it sit at the house while I learn how to form metal and repair the window channels as an experience exercise, but considering I've got less than zero experience on that it's not exactly going to be simple or easy. I hate to think that a demo derby guy may be better suited for use of it...
I know a good metal man with the right benders could fix it. But the time and money woudn't be worth the expense. Me, all I could do is use fibreglass and Bondo. I'll bet we could glue it back together. But the new buyer wouldn't be happy next year.
m ake it into a sedan delivery and close up the rear windows. might be much easier then trying to fix it
That right there is a great idea. Especially if the rest of it is nice and it's mechanically sound. I'd guess it is since it was in for paint. Why didn't I think of that? Or make an El Camino out of it. Anything is better than a derby queen.
I just did window channel repairs a few months ago on my 69 sport wagon on all the sky windows and both rear quarter windows and i had little to zero metal forming experience and some welding experience 10 years ago, now the rust on mine wasn't as bad as yours but it was a lot of work. your wagon can be repaired it will take a lot of time and effort and you don't have to spend a ton of money. most of your metal forming will be a 90 degree angle a small metal brake is what i used. my work was amateur at best and looks good, most of everything you fix will be covered by glass or trim, you dont have much to lose all you can to is try. hope this helps
This is good info. Any pictures of the work and results? What type of brake did you use? I see a variety of ones out there.
Go for it. You will still be saving a station wagon. Check out your local Harbor Freight or Tracftor Supply. Maybe even a Home Depot or Lowes type store. My favorite brake or bending tool is the nearest tree or a concrete wall. Maybe the wife's favorite dining room table!
i dont believe i took any pics, i wish i did. i remember the horror when i removed all my windows. they were so loose i pushed all but one out by hand. i can get a pic of my metal brake saturday, all mine is a counter top brake about 18". all i can tell you is start in one spot and take little steps. find a easy spot to repair and build up your confidence.
Excellent. I don't want to scrap the car but can't see paying a body shop $12k to fix this mess (what I was quoted). That other people have had success is heartening. This car has excellent rear window seals and rubber, so it would be a shame to let it get junked or derbied. I also found these as well which are pre-formed metal channels that you can use to bend and shape to different curves, and some are pre-bent to the right lengths for this channel work. Basically you fold them the way you want them to appear and then stitch weld it all up. For $9-10/ea for 36" in length sure seems like no reason to not try.
I had similar concerns not quite as extreme as yours on my 66 Malibu 2dr Nomad conversion. I found rust in places that I would have never expected. http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29015 I doubt that there are any patch panel replacements available that would probably make the easiest repair. As posted earlier some 90 degree angle will be a great help in the repair. If you don't have access to a shrinker/stretcher you can use some piano key angle which will make it easy to follow the curves. I used some on my wagon and it worked great. I was not only able to repair rotted areas but also to reshape my design for a Nomad style slider window that will now accept the stock GM stainless trim. When installing your glass, use the newer more aggressive adhesives used for windshields. They are much better than the old technology and should prevent leaks and failures that caused the problems you now see. Take a deep breath, assess the scope of your repair, take your time and maybe start with repairing the easiest areas first. When you see even some small progress, I am sure it will help motivate your desire to solve your problem. Good luck and make your build fun.
Nothing like a challenge with somebody who's got the will and patience to take it on! Kudos! Doing a lot of the same on my side panels. You'll do just fine. Check out the DIYAutoSchool and EricTheCarGuy channels on youtube. Lots of real backyard tech for this kind of work.
Contact Wagonkiller here. He is parting out the Buick Estate Wagon that got hit by the drunk driver. It may be possible to cut out the channels from his and weld them into yours. It may be by far easier than patching with formed up pieces. Worth asking, anyway. He has an add in the wagon and parts for sale section.
