Just picked-up another MX3

[ethand]

ah, mate!! you could just try that way!?! much quicker and easier, dont you think?? do you have the right kind of car jack for that, though??
all the best with it, mate... some pics would be awesome, too

[kudkudniyog]

Ah! I took the rubber moulding from the windshield to see the extent of the rust damage under. It does not seem to be that bad. The corners are rusted bad but it does not extend into the windshield frame.

I will post pics soon.

[kudkudniyog]

PICS...



picture of the car...

[kudkudniyog]

The "not so good" bodywork..

[Ryan]

Wow, she's butchered. Parting out?

[Nd4SpdSe]

Wow, she's butchered. Parting out?

I am so looking forward to restore this car. My son will be turning 15 this month and this will be his. It actually runs better than the other one I have. My other MX3's engine rattles like h*ll from the rocker arm valve adjustment thingy, clutch is slipping, battery is totally dead and will not hold a charge, and it is still in the primer stage waiting for base & clear coat.

It get in a front-end collision? I don't know about that car, people have bought Mx-3's for the same price or less in much better condition.

[kudkudniyog]

Sorry, no part out.

Ya, butchered. But with a little TLC & talent, it will live again. BTW I was the one who took out the weatherstripping and did patches of primer. My son & I started sanding down rust spots last week and sprayed it w/ primer for a temporary seal.

It was in a left front collision. Upper left corner. I looked at the frame and it is intact with no signs of repair.

[kudkudniyog]

It get in a front-end collision? I don't know about that car, people have bought Mx-3's for the same price or less in much better condition.

I shopped around (250mile radius) and the availability of MX-3's here are not so great. The price range I saw was $500.00 (pretty bad condition w/ a lot of missing parts and major mechanical repair) to $3100.00.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Wow, slim pickins. Good to hear the frame is untouched; last thing i would want would be for me to have my kid drive an unsafe vehicle.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

It get in a front-end collision? I don't know about that car, people have bought Mx-3's for the same price or less in much better condition.

I shopped around (250mile radius) and the availability of MX-3's here are not so great. The price range I saw was $500.00 (pretty bad condition w/ a lot of missing parts and major mechanical repair) to $3100.00.

Yup. I've been keeping an eye on Craigslist, all along the East coast, from Miami to Charlotte, NC, for more than 10 months, and there's definitely not much to choose from. I'd say that, given the circumstances, that's a nice find, especially if you don't have any structural damage.

I guess it's time for you to start a worklog...

[kudkudniyog]

Yup, worklog will be started soon. My plan for the car is as follows:

1. Grind out and temporary seal all rust spots, repairing panels when applicable.
2. Repairing the "bad body work" from the collision.
3. Re-align all body panels when necessary.
4. Strip, body-fill, prime, seal, paint, & polish.
5. Replace broken, brittle, & cracked weatherstrips & moulding.
6. Fix exhaust & get new tires.
7. Inspect & replace brake pads & shoes if required.
8. "maybe" re-upholster the dash due to cracks or just slap-on a dashmat.
9. Fix speedometer & replace thermostat.

After that, I will let my son decide what to do next.

[kudkudniyog]

Judging from the looks of the bad body work, it seems that the body was "hammered" back to an acceptable form. Then the hood, fender, & headlights were replaced.

Are the left & the right body panel just a mirror image of each other (openings & all)? If so I will use that as a basis of measurement when repairing the left.

Thanks for all your support!!!

[kudkudniyog]

BTW, my son named the car CHLOE'. For whatever reason, I don't know. I will start post worklog in the worklog section.

Thanks again.

[ethand]

nice work! i'm not jealous of the tough cutting/awkwardness of the rust spots, but i'm sure it'll pay off!
all the best, & i'll keep an eye out for the worklog

[kudkudniyog]

What gauge of sheetmetal should I use if I want to make my own patch panel?