restoration panelbeaters for classic corolla?

[illmatic]

Hi - I was wondering if anybody knew any good panelbeaters that worked on and preferably had a passion for early japanese cars? I think its time to get my old girl on the road again, and would rather have it worked on by somebody that appreciates old japanese cars. It needs a small bit of rust cut out, and a full respray. I want to keep it all original (bar the slight lowering and whitewalls!). The car in question is a 79 corolla.

thanks
Prem

[Rick]

When I first got my AE-85 Levin, I was looking around for a good panelbeater to repair the rust on it. After abit of thought, I ended up buying a mig welder, learnig to weld (proberaly best to take a professional welding course first) and did all the rust repairs myself. From what I have learnt I cant see a panelbeater doing a good a job as I have done. As panelbeaters tend to use bog to fix repairs and over time the bog will absorb water and unless the rust has been rust treated the rust will just re-emerge at a late date.

So if you a willing to give it a go yourself I would suggest that route. But if you decide to get the work done by some one else, I woudn't go to a everyday panelbeaters (unless recommended), go to a place that specialises in the restoration of cars, and discuss there process of how they will remove/repair the rust.

[Calvin]

I ended up buying a mig welded, learnig to weld, and did all the rust repairs myself and from what I have learnt I cant see a panelbeater doing a good a job as I have done.

I like your style

[Quint]

Thats what i've done battling the rust in three seperate cars! My welding still an't too pretty tho.