I guess you could leave the body as is. strip the paint, let it rust for a bit, hit it with a semi-gloss clear coat, or just wax it up real good and you have a good rat rod on your hands.

Now there is a possibility! lol

I think once I get going on it, it will turn out pretty nice.

Just have fun, that is the whole idea anyway. If you want a show car, this isn't the one, if you want a fun tool around driver at a low cost, you got it.

Well, show car it is not! And that's 100% fine by me!
PO really liked body filler, but I guess they did what they had to do! I think I will be able to make it look decent enough. Long road ahead though hah

Looks like the PO didn't own a grinder either and we are only as good a welder as we are a grinder...

My 77 spider has the same type damage in the exact same spot! My sneaky suspicion is that the hood got blown open by the wind causing the damage. My hood was trashed and recently replaced but the nacelle area around the headlight needs straightening up. I thought about just replacing that body panel but I'm afraid it may be more than just that!
Good luck! And enjoy the process!

Pretty sure the PO didn't know what the heck he was doing ha

I hope when it's all said and done, I can say that I did a better job!

I hope when it's all said and done, I can say that I did a better job

I dont think you have a lot to worry about here. the PO set a very low bar.

Well, after some more grinding the amount of filler shows big time! The po decided filling huge dents was better than trying to fix it the right way. I have a long journey ahead of me. Thank god for this forum and it's awesome members!

But it already feels better with that pile of filler gone, right? You do have a road to travel but seems like you have the attitude to travel it! Keep at it!

Well, this year she won't be on the road due to unforeseen reasons, so I have the time and will!
I'd like to take her for a spin I bet she's is 40 pounds lighter!

Yep, probably!!

The square cut outs where the wires for the turn signals used to go through, how can I get behind there to try and pound out any dents? Probably not possible with the engine in eh?

All that area is reachable with hammer and dolly.

Should be accessible from the fender wells.