> get enough money to have some serious body restoration work done. Is
> there a Dummy's Guide for handling problems like this?

check at www.motorbooks.com   for 'restoration' books.
BE WARNED!!! they have LOTS of books, even vw bus books, that will
shrink your wallet!!!
;)

also check at http://www.eastwoodco.com/
they sell the rust treatment stuff and have books about
restoring/welding/fixing car bodies (put 'books' in the search field,
and that'll get you started).
for example, Idiot's Guide to Restoring Collector Cars. stole the name
from Muir, but might be worth looking at. even how-to videos.

good luck!
joel