Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am attaching pics of my Clipper around the rocker panels and lower door. Have some rust issues, which I never really noticed or thought much about until it now comes time to do some paint. Seeing this rust disappoints me because it always takes a lot of work to do the job right. But the problem is the car will never be worth big money, and so I was only wanting to have a good daily driver that will last.

So, my dilemma is deciding if I ought to pursue restoration or get rid of the car and find something else. Here are some pics.

What do you all think it ought to take (work-wise, money-wise) so that I could wind up with a nice daily driver that will last and not rust all over again after only a few years?

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Dear Jeff:

These cars started rusting soon after hitting the road so your case looks better than most. If you just want to drive the car getting a better one will only have it rusting out too.

Given the Clipper is not worth spending a fortune on there are products out there that can stabilize the situation and be painted over. One is West Systems G-Flex epoxy. One time I came out from under a 56 Packard and when I grabbed the bottom of the fender if started to come apart. I put it back together with G-Flex and unless the car was on a lift you would never know it was there. The outside looked untouched and felt like new steel. I wouldn't hesitate to use G-Flex to glue a whole floor in place, or reinforce rotted pillars, quarter panels etc. The stuff is good.

Not every car can be resurrected so this product will go along way to helping people keep their cars without a divorce.

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You're probably right about that. I thought about the same thing.

So, tell me a little more about the G-Flex. What did you do to prep the surface? When did you do this work? Do you know how well it has held up over time?

My concern is that when you cover rust, the rusty metal is a necessary structural component of the repaired piece - meaning, it will continue to rust until the bondo/epoxy/etc. has nothing to hold on to anymore.

But if I go to cutting all this stuff out and welding, we start getting into some real dinero.

By the way, I am not with the car right now, but my friend who took the pics says the material that the rockers are attached to is also rusty. What are the rockers attached to? Floor pans? It's not framing, right?

The rust doesn't look that unmanageable. I wish my rust issues were that good!

Kev, what are those rockers connected to in the back? Floor pans?

P.S. I thought you did a frame-off. Why would you have rust issues?