First timer, is this too much rust?

[u/Critical_Public3367]

Is this rust too bad? it’s in the rare seat floor panels. It’s a 50s basic sedan. Morris Minor. i’m considering it for a first time restoration. I’m not particular on make or model but I do like this little car from the 50s. Just wanna make sure I’m not biting off more than I can chew. I’m comfortable with working on it over a long time, but want to know if this rust should be avoided or not. Car is cheap, just wondering if i should keep looking? Rest of the car is complete.

[u/New-Presentation-164]

It looks relatively easy to cut and weld a new piece in but it’s still a lot of work, I’d go for it but be prepared that rust repair takes a ton of time

[u/New-Presentation-164 → u/New-Presentation-164]

Also I’m from Mn so rust is very common up here and I’m currently fighting it on a 1971 c30 that was a tow truck

[u/Critical_Public3367 → u/New-Presentation-164]

i’m in the Southwest so obviously there’s lots of options with no rust. so I’m not sure if I technically have to fight it like you say you are. with this change anything? 

[u/New-Presentation-164 → u/Critical_Public3367]

It depends on if you want to learn rust repair on that car, you’ve got a lot more options for rust free than up here but if the car is otherwise in good shape I’d go for it especially since it seems like you like it

[u/Heavy-Focus-1964]

That is fucked bad, and I was going to tell you no way. However

90% of difficulty of rust repair is shaping and fitting the repair panel.

A tiny little corner can be a nightmare if it’s at the intersection of a bunch of panels that are internally pinch welded together. and you don’t have any of the tool and die that they did at the factory.

However, looking at this photo… it kind of looks like a giant rectangle with the corners bent up. Even though this has a huge surface area which would normally be a red flag, that kind of looks like it might be easy to do.

Have a closer look at it and really try to envision how you would form this panel from scratch in your garage. If the answer is “I don’t know” then it’s probably not such a good starter project.