How bad was the damage?

Pretty bad. The drivers side door is buckled, front guard is pushed onto the wheel, whole corner is pushed in. steering column and pedals are buckled. I don't think the chassis is damageed tho.? I had a quote from a dub restorer who said he'd probably put a whole new front on it... and pull the floor out. $4000 was his quote... without the front. I bought it for $3000 so...
What to do?

... cut yer losses, and get another one. Keep yours for spares, maybe?

yeah sell the olde one i bits ---parts and pay for the better one that way.

I have a few bay bits to donate .....

David in Albury had an early bay panel van tha was pretty solid and he was asking 300bucks for it. You could swap all your bits over and have a panel/kombi. Would be cool as.

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewthread.php?tid=37300&page=1#pid334997 

finally sold it and they are rapped