Learn the secrets of the bodywork trade and you become one step closer to the goal of automotive self sufficiency. It's no secret that paint and body related repairs are among the most expensive aspects of a project, but in terms of many of these tasks, the bulk of the expense is for time and skill, not necessarily for materials. Mastering some of these talents can dramatically affect the costs involved in a project. In fact, with a proficiency in bodyman's techniques, you will look at a prospective project car in an entirely different light.
An example here is a 1971 Plymouth Satellite that I recently acquired. This classic Mopar body style has been on my watch list for years, and an opportunity presented itself when an excellent example showed up for sale locally. A careful examination of the 340-powered machine revealed no trace of rust, and a body that is virtually pristine, with one glaring exception: a significantly kinked right front fender. The deep crease and buckling of the fender just over the wheel well represented a difficult repair. This wasn't a simple dent that could be lightly worked back to shape; here we had distorted and stretched metal, and it ruined the otherwise clean appearance of the car. Although it is possible to replace the front fender, finding a good example would require a significant investment in time, effort and money, since there are currently no reproductions. Despite the damage, the car was purchased with confidence that the fender could be fixed. Here's how it was done.