Hey! New here, and hoping to get some guidance.

My girlfriend's grandmother has a 1970 Camaro, Rally Sport. She was told by a mechanic that the 1970 Camaros usually rusted under the trunk mat, and that "all Camaros from that time have this problem." (Luckily, it's only surface rust-- nothing has eaten through the trunk.)

Is this true? Has anyone here dealt with this problem?

 

My 70 trunk was the same, i bought a rust inhibitor and then repainted it.

 

Not sure it's a case of all '70 Camaros, as it's a case of almost any car that's 45 years old having rust, and especially if it's still got the original weatherstripping, and trunk mat. If the weatherstripping is leaking, a trunk mat helps hold the moisture longer under the mat. If it only has surface rust after 45 years, that's amazing!
A lot of old cars get rusted out in the fender drops on each side of the trunk. If I found rust under the mat, I'd be feeling down in the drops for more, or even get under the car and look at the underside of the trunk drops to see of any signs of rust.

 

Surface rust can just be from the car's age and years of humidity.
Here in the rust belt of the USA, what you have would be considered "pristine"....almost.

 

Car was designed to last 5-8 years. If it only has surface rust in the trunk the car spent most of it life in the garage or in a desert.

I can remember seeing 2nd gens being scrapped for being beyond repair in 1980 by the 1990 any early 2nd Gen that was still in original condition was very rare here in PA.

 

When checking for leaks at the trunk lid, don't forget the spoiler (if any). My 70 Formula had many leaks at the mounting holes.

 

my worst leak was/is where the inch weld is in the top left corner of the trunk they laid the metal to practically scoop water into the trunk and put some crummy caulk in there i have just replaced it in my car and has been much better