I had a guy start down the path of painting my SD. He did a decent job of repairing the rust under the rear window gasket, mostly stripped the exterior, sanded to the point where I don't want to put it back together and just drive it then quit. The car is covered with tarps sitting in the weather and I'll decide within the next few weeks.


This car was bumped in the back hard enough that the rear panel under the trunk lid needs to be replaced and the entire exterior needs paint. I have a parts car of the same Anthracite Grey so sourcing the panel isn't an issue. Regular body shops don't want this because they prefer the quick turn around of doing insurance work.


The car has been in the family since new so there is sentimental value. I'd like to keep it unless it were to be crashed sometime in the future. The drive train is working fine and I have an extra engine if ever needed. Good remanned trannys can be bought within my budget. Brakes are new, front suspension is refurbed. Climate works except for AC which I'll buy parts and convert it properly if I keep it. Seats need repair but I and I have a set from an 89 that would be more comfortable but they need recovering too.


Would any of you suck down $5,000 to $6,000 to have a new looking new driving 85SD assuming the missing cash doesn't affect your life style? Car is not worth much as it sits perhaps $1,000 to someone who wanted the parts. It seems suspension parts were $500. Then there are the brake calipers, rotors, ceramic pads, master cylinder, bluetooth receiver, engine etc all in good working order.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.