Body panels or Patch job?

[70spider]

Hello everyone so far I have received some great advice on the mechanics and electrical. Now I seek advice on the exterior.
My question is would it be better to replace the entire quarter panel or have a patch welded in? The car needs a complete paint job anyway, I want to change the color to Datsun 113 metallic green.
I know I am going to need new floors and the passenger side and driver side quarter panels have a bit of rust on the portion in front of the rocker panel.
I figure I'll delay the building of the 1608 and concentrate on the body I have about 2k for the project. I know that won't cover the paint but will it cover the body and rust problem?
Billy Crystal always said "It's better to look marvelous than to feel marvelous".
Thanks, Pesto

[azruss]

Not enough information. Need to know details about the amount of rust and where. In most cases if you have rust showing through there will be more rust next to it you havent seen. Rust in the rear fender flairs can be a big problem as the metal is 3 layers thick there. If you are looking for a rust free, bondo free car, $2k will not get the job done unless the rust is minimal. If you are planning on taking it in to your local body shop, you have more problems yet. Most cars are built with bolt on panels. With the exception of the rocker panels, the Fiat is a welded unibody. Most body shops have no one with the skill to replace a welded on fender and weld in a patch panel.

[70spider]

Thanks for the info. I haven't stripped any paint so undoubtedly there is more rust than I can see. But it looks real good in the trunk, wheel wells, and the engine bay. The only obviuos problemm have is on the passenger side quarter panel. The floor plans look fair at best and thought I might as well replace them as soon as I can.
We have a professional retoration shop near bye so when I get him up and runnig I'll take to them for an estimate.
I guess in hind-sight I should have bought the 71' that had no rust but the interior was missing and the engine had a major head lead leak, it probably would have been cheaper.