Hey guys, I am on the verge of being the owner of a 71 Type 3 Notchback which I looked at today. In the front boot there are four plates (one large plate and three smaller plates) which have been screwed to the curve in the firewall to cover holes were cut to fix a water problem.

Is this a common problem?

Is the structural integrity been compromised and will welding it fix that issue?

How difficult is it to remove items in the dash to prevent damage from welding the plates?

The car is in good condition but these plates are giving me some cause for conern.

I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

common for types 3's to rust there and everywhere else ha ha . also check under near the hinge springs in the corners of front boot and bumper mounts and just below rear bumper and drip channel flaps under rear corners and yeah take a magnet with some cloth over it so you can wipe it accross panels as basically they rust bad if not looked after.
Hope its a good one though.

Thanks for that. Are the holes in this section a problem?

leave the holes there dont bother welding them
they wont hurt the structure any probally stronger now the rust has been cut away