Expert: Dan Gardener - 2/6/2011

Question
I have a 1961 Mercury Comet that I really want to keep. The left trunk pan has rusted out so that it now sits on top of the spring. The body shop I took it to said that it could not locate repair parts.
Do you have any ideas how I could find a trunk pan and other attachment parts to attach the unibody onto the spring?
Do you have any alternative ideas for how to repair it? Everything else is in good condition.Thank you so much for your answer.

Answer
Hello Mary
For 1962 and 1963, the Comet shared a considerable number of body parts and mechanical parts with the short-liver Mercury Meteor. This might widen your search. Also, look for a body shop in your area that does restoration, a lot of body shops do not and as a result they do not know where to look for parts.
Good luck with the project
One more thing, you need to have a budget in mind before you start this. Restorations always cost a way more than originally budgeted.
Dan