Rust on 328

This is an overall very nice car and shows no evidence of corrosion or rust except in one spot. Along the top of the rear quarter panel, where the roof panel joins the fender, just ahead of the engine bonnet, there is rust bubbling under the paint. This appears on both sides of the car. There is a strip of rubber seal at this point and the bubbles appear above and below the seal. A tech I know says that this occurs on these cars from time to time, but I have never seen it before. One way I have found to discover any possible corrosion is to remove the little caps covering the outside mirror mounts. These are clean on this car and I see no evidence of rust on or under the doors.

Has anyone had experience with rust in this area? Are they prone to this?

 

If that's the case, it's good to know. Still, I usually figure if there's rust in one place there is usually some elsewhere. Darned if I can find any, though.

Have you seen this on other cars?

I did see a 328 in North Carolina a couple years ago with rust on the doors and front fenders, but that's the only one I've ever seen with any rust until now.

 

I just spent a couple of hours going over the car and I can't find any body rust anywhere else. The rust area along the top of the quarter panel is in the area where the channel behind the targa top drains. The holes at the bottom of that channel appear designed to let the water drain through the engine compartment. I suppose if those had been plugged that could contribute to the rust in that area, but I think something else is more likely. A body man I know gave me a phone quote of about $1500 for both sides. That's acceptable, given the price I'm getting the car for. I'd like to locate the source of the water though. There are no stains on the headliner. Elsewhere there are a few galvanized nuts and screws that have surface rust, but nothing that can't be replaced. I didn't like seeing the springs on the door side pockets lightly rusted. There's no evidence the car has had water damage and Carfax is clean. A half day with a wrench and screwdriver and I'd have all that stuff swapped out for new.

It had a complete major a year and 1,000 miles ago, along with new tires and clutch. Runs solid and everything but the usual problem headlight stalk works. No swirl marks. I like that.

 

Decision has to be made in the morning, so this is my last chance to solicit any more opinions. Choice is between two 21,000 mile cars.

Car 1: 86 328 with some rust bubbles at the top of the rear quarter panels. Shouldn't be too difficult to fix. I can find no other body rust There is surface rust on some nuts and bolts. Springs on the door pockets have light surface rust, which bothers me, but the interior has a new car smell and is in great shape. Obviously the car was not kept in as dry an environment as it should have been, but the car drives very well. All service records since it was new.

Car 2: 79 308 with very good paint and body and an interior that is beautiful. Runs and drives extremely well. Runs a litte hot, I think, but maybe its the gauge. Not a spec of rust that I can find. Service records going back 20 years. Dandy little car.

Here's the tough part: There is only $4,000 difference between the two! I know the 308 will always be a beautiful car with continued proper care. The body rust on the 328 won't cost too much, if that's all there is. Screws and nuts with surface rust can be easily replaced. I wonder what other problems might be lurking because of an obviously moist environment for at least part of its life. Electronics, hidden body rust (which I doubt.)

My sincere thanks to the others who have posted opinions here. In these final hours I'd like to know if anyone else has thoughts on this matter.

What to do....What to do......