Simply put, in order to build a Original Steel Duece these days, you need to be either a masterful fabricator/rod builder, or just plain loaded - So you can pay to have it built.

When starting with a old steel car you have to submerge yourself into the rough waters of dissassembly, removing bolts, which have been tight for 75 years, rust removal, rot repair, etc.

When starting with a new body, eveything goes up from the beggining as actual assembly can begin almost immediately. This is much more positive working time spent achieving your goals, and there will be much less time working before a car will be at a driveable point. Unless of course you're building a 100 point car. But you better have some deep pockets, and/or alot of free time. If you're building a car with the intention of driving it often, the aforementioned expendature would be totally nuts. Even some of the steel repro bodies require alot of work according to Dave at Brizio's. All the metal bodies have microscopic rust from day one. The body will rust or show fatigue cracks somewhere in the future.

My father once spotted a steel 5 window hiboy, chopped for 60 bucks back in 1959. Were'nt those the days.

P.S. Hiboygal, keep your #7 wescott body, You've had no problems with it, and its fiberglass construction will continue to serve you well for years to come. Not to mention, it didnt need any structural work when new. Plus, you're having just as much fun as the next rodder with a steel car.