New HR owner needs advice

[LANDog]

I hope its ok to post in here (Im new)

Guys, yesterday I became a proud owner of a Holden HR (1966), 186, 2 speed auto. I had a few HR's when I was a young kid and recently had a midlife crisis and decided I wanted to rebuild one now that I have some $$ to throw at it.

Its pretty straight (ill get some pics up on the weekend) but requires a few pannels to be replaced. Mototr seems to be ok, has a 350 Holley and Extractors. Diff is almost buggered and it has drums all round so I might be looking to replace the front end with the 67 HR disc front end.

The plan is to strip it right back to shell, get it comepletey straight and resprayed white. Then Ill start thinking about Motors etc.

The small problem I have is honestly Ive never done this before and as such I need advice / help. Im in Manly (Northern Beaches) of Sydney.

Does anyone know if there are mechanics / pannel beaters that wouldnt mind spending a weekend (ill pay for their time) helping me strip back the car and giving me advice on pannel beating / bogging / wleding etc etc?

Alternatively is there a pannel beaters over this way that any of you would recommend ?

Actually really what Im asking is what approach should I take?.. strip it back and get it towed to a pannel beaters?, meanwhile getting the motor, gearbox and diff reconditioned ?

also are there any good manuals I should buy for pannel beating etc etc

I would really appreciate any advice you guys might have ..

Cheers matt

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Congrats on the purchase!
Here's my 2 cents on your predicament.
1. Don't jump in! Look around, drive the car, read, research and get a clear idea of what you want. Set a date 6 months away to start the project, by then you should have a clearer picture.
2. You don't need the entire front-end for discs, just the HR disc stub-axles.
3. The more work you do yourself, the more money you save with the professionals.
4. There should be a good bookshop in Sydney (Adelaide has one) or better still get down to the library to borrow before you buy at the book store.
5. Seek out your local old holden or HD-HR Club, the advice, contacts and parts you get from a club will help greatly.

[FB_MAD]

G'day Matt, Ditto to Stinkys comments.Years ago(1980's)  T.A.F.E  ran some non trade courses at night on learning the basics on how to do up a car.Don't know if they still do them but you would have a good chance in Sydney of finding a T.A.F.E college that can offer something similar. Good luck.....Terry.