If they were original quarter panels, the holes for the louvers would be present. Same for the lower rocker molding mounting holes. Where are these? I doubt someone would bondo over them or cover them up for any reason. Thus, I believe these panels were replaced. Otherwise, the holes would be there. The door sag plates are missing in the door jambs. The radio wiring is a disaster and could he not take a second to re-bend the parking brake lever? Is that gold paint under the white paint on the fender indicating a fender swap? It also looks like the rear springs have been replaced as well as the gas tank and fuel line. All of this says to me that this car is NOT in any way "Rust Free" as the seller claims. As for the story of the missing engine....REALLY? Who removes an all original big block 396 and puts it in their garage and can't seem to find it? My garage is pretty messy, but I bet I could find a big block engine easily. And who buys a car of this caliber with the promise that they will get a free numbers matching engine, but doesn't pursue it and do everything they can to get it? That would be priority one if I bought this car from a man with a messy garage. I can assure whoever buys this on ebay, that they should not hold their breath waiting for the numbers matching 396 to show up any time soon.
It's not so much the issue with the car, it's they lying and covering up that scares me the most. State it's a small block conversion, and that there was some rust, but panels were replaced, and that would be a fine start to a good transaction. This nonsense of "Rust Free", "Second Owner", "Orig Engine if I can find it" makes this deal sour in my opinion.
