Re: RE: Rust Survey

[JaransonT3@aol.com]

What everyone is feeling/seeing with the different "quality" of sheet metal 
is actually something called downgaging.  It is a pretty common practice 
particularily from the 60's to the 70's.  Auto makers were looking for ways 
to reduce cost (use less material is one way) and save some weight.  Reducing 
the thickness of the sheet metal was a pretty easy way to do both.  Body 
panels 1.5-2.0mm thick were not uncommon in the 50's and 60's.  Today you 
won't find anything over 0.8mm on any modern cars.  Of course they did not 
use double-sided galvanized sheet metal in the 70's for corrosion protection 
like we do today. 

Less metal means rust through quicker.  Plus the manufacturers were looking 
to save cost in the paint department too and looked at cutting out primers 
and stuff This lead to bad corrosion problems.

Later,
John (your man on the inside) Jaranson
"71 FI Auto Fasty
http://hometown.aol.com/jaransonT3

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