This is the top part of the panel that I didn't use. If anyone needs this part, it can be had cheap.

This is the hole underneath the battery that I have to repair before replacing the front panel bottom. The next shot is the repair all welded in and seam sealed. I decided to seam seal it because since it was like trying to weld tissue paper. I'm sure there are some pinholes in the weld. I hope the front panel is easier.

The 30" of snow finally melted enough that I could lower the car, push it outside and turn it around and lift it up again to make it easier to work on the front panel. You can see the rotted out part under the battery box on the right side of the car. You can also see the tape marking the cut line I'm going to use. After cutting the bottom of the panel off, you can see that it was also rotted out on the inner panel. The good side of the removed part of the panel supplied a great patch panel, correct curve and all. I cut out the rotted part and fitted the patch but did not weld it in yet, that will probably be tomorrow depending on how much snow we get on tomorrows' storm. Might have to get out the snow blower again. The real test will be to see if I have enough guts to cut my NOS front panel in half to use to repair the above hole across the front of the car. If anyone reading this has a use for the top 2/3rds of the NOS front panel, it's up for sale, cheap.
did I mention it is an NOS panel? gggggg

I finished the cleaning and metal prepping of the car; the door and the rest of the interior. Now the fun starts, the body repair. Didn't take any pics, looks the same as the rest.

I had a chance to do some more cleaning and metal prep. Both fenders on the drivers side and the rest of the roof are done. All that's left is a little of the interior and the drivers door then the real work begins; fender and front panel transplants and rear fender reconstruction. Of course I don't know yet how I'm going to accomplish the reconstructions but as they say, "don't sweat the small stuff".

Here are some better pictures of the crappy repair and rust damage on the rear fenders. Metal-prep sure knocks the glare off and allows better pictures. Too bad the subject is so ugly.

While cleaning the top of the front fender, I suddenly realized what a stupid fish I am, you know, a dum bass. I've been dreading having to cut out each spot weld to remove the fender when I had an epiphany; I don't have to remove the whole fender--DUH!!
I'm going to cut right along the crease of the fender and just R&R the bottom half. The same holds true for the front panel. It's hard to see but the cut line will be straight through the three bumper mounting holes and again just removing the bottom half. This will allow me to replace the rusted/damaged sections and also to re align the front corners that have been pushed in by running into something. It will mean expensive patch panels but the time saved will be more than worth it to me. Maybe someone might need the top halves in the future, who knows. If not, they will go into storage in the attic.
Needless to say, they've been metal-prepped,washed and dried but no pics. Just looks duller.