:::Jerry:::: wrote:

How many 'good' 1983 VW Passat have you seen lately, any such panels that
are in scrap yards now will more than likely be in the same state of
dis-repair as the original panels needing replacement....


You can always find something. I once found a replacement door for my
old GSA (which was 18 years old at the time), and those things came
pre-rusted from the factory.

Point is, with an old banger like that there is no point in a) paying
someone to repair it or b) spending 40 hours minimum doing a good job of
the doors and tailgate.

--
Grunff