Gents, I've found myself with a bit of a dilemma with how to proceed with repairing my floors. The floor has some surface rust and a few stress cracks so I'm hatching a plan of attack. I'd like to fix my floors without negatively affecting the value/appeal of my car. I know we will all have differing opinions but I would like to hear your take.
The car: 74k mile '85 'vert with one respray. No previous damage or repairs. Right now the car is just a fun cruiser but it may see the occasional drag-strip or track day next year (pending some necessary upgrades).
My goal: Stop/prevent further rust. Prevent further cracking.
My options as I see it:
- Restore the floor: knock all of the rust and all of the original primer/paint -> weld up cracks -> apply factory style grey primer and overspray
- Restomod/Reinforce the floor: strip underside of floor -> weld up cracks, add full length SFC's and torque box plates -> paint either body color, POR 15 gray (or equivalent)
Personally when I'm looking at a car undercoating is usually a turn-off because it can hide damage quite easily. While I don't foresee applying a rubberized coating, would POR 15 or non-factory style painted underside be a deterrent for a future owner? Would SFC's and torque box reinforcements be a negative?
The reason I ask about the SFC's and torque boxes is because the 'vert structure will inevitably flex/crack in the future. I guess what I'm really asking is:Should I keep the unibody "original" and risk future cracks or reinforce it with the goal of keeping the unibody straight and rust-free?
Pic of the car in question:
Example of crack in floor pan under rear seat / at end of tunnel
Build thread to soon follow as I'll finally start working on it... a year after buying it,
Connect With Us