<VV> body advice (doors and another opinion)

[Ron Guy]

Eric,
   I answered you post on body work off the cuff last night and forgot one
area which I was saving for last.

10.   Doors. This is a BIG problem looming on the horizon for Corvair owners
and collectors. Have your body man remove the regulators, glass, and vent
windows for a thorough inspection of the interior. Especially the bottom.
Mildly blast the inside bottom to get it clean. Chances are there will be
some metal repair needed in this area and coatings are critical. Lower patch
panels are available from the vendors but difficult to install. (Read time
consuming)

Now the opinion. Fuzzies leak water and dirt. This combination accumulates
in the bottom of the doors and unless they have been properly treated, they
are all dying a slow death. Skins are almost impossible to find any more. 
   I have bought "rust free" doors from Arizona, California, and Oklahoma. I
have bought cars just to get the doors. I have a dozen sets of doors now
from just trying to find one good set. They are all in jeopardy in the
bottom area discussed above.
   We, the Corvair hobbyist need two things. One is a replacement to the
original fuzzies. A properly made, tight, Dew Wipe like those of later model
cars would go a long way in preserving Corvairs. We are also going to need
someone to start stamping replacement door skins. 
   Lon and Cal are not interested in doing either at this time. It is a very
expensive venture. I have emailed Hank about the Dew Wipes and he may be
able to get someone at Steele Rubber Products to listen.
   Given the niggardly approach to Corvairing by most in the Corvair
community, it isn't likely we can get 100 guys to put up $1,000.00 each to
get stamping started, so hang on to every good door you can find.

Ron Guy 

PS...I saw the 20K to 40K estimate posted and have no real quarrel with it.
I have been able to do complete restorations on two late coupe bodies and
was able to stay in the 6K on one and 12K on the other on body work and
paint. These were what seemed to be excellent bodies to begin with. If you
start with a body showing a lot of rust and damage, you may need to give up
quickly and find another body. It doesn't sound as if yours is bad.