First of all hi, Im new to the site, just registered today. You can read some about my car and me on this post: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?p=813626#post813626

Anyway, I plan on changing the fenders, inner fenders, 2" cowl induction hood, door skins, full quarters, tail panel, and trunk lid on my newly acquired 69 Camaro. At the prices I've seen those go for it doesnt make sense to perform bodywork on the whole car. From what I see, I think there are many different sources...so....

1. whats the best quality replacement sheetmetal for the 69 camaros?
2. How's the fit?
3. Any further advice b4 taking out the checkbook and placing an order?

Thanks!!!

Domingo

Most of it comes from the same place and the quality is so-so at best. Plan on lots of massaging to get a decent fit.

Domingo I would try and repair as much OEM metal as possible. All of the replacement metal needs help to fit. When term "massaging" new parts is used it refers to prying, pounding on with board and hammering cutting and rewelding. Any replacement sheet metal should be fit up to car one piece at a time instead of completely dismantling car. Save all your original parts as one man's junk is another's treasure. I would also do a complete evaluation of body first such as floors and inner/outer rockers, cowl before you start. What seems inexpensive will add up quickly especially if you have to pay labor costs. ED

Domingo! How's the weather down there?

Fred, you have a PM.

On the body panels thing....

Well, my car needs TOTAL body work. The roof is OK but the hood, trunk lid, doors, fenders, rear window filler panel and quarters are BEAT.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3992/dsc08931tq3.jpg

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/3591/dsc08933gc9.jpg

1. I see OER sells parts, but I guess they are just relabeled Goodmark parts that are marked up to a higher price?

2. I also have been told there is more than 1 manufacturer for the 2" cowl hoods and the fenders....so Im looking to find out which panels are the better quality ones.

3. Also, I wonder if the replacement sheetmetal is the same gauge as original and if it is resistant as the prignal sheetmetal....or is it softer??? I am asking this because I bought a rear valance for my 1970 Dodge Challenger from Goodmark and the sheetmetal was so soft it almost bent in my hands while holding it!!! It dented super easy as well as if it was made out of lead. If the quarter panels are made out of that grade of sheetmetla it would suck as they would get dented/wavy in no time.

Fred, you have a PM.

On the body panels thing....

Well, my car needs TOTAL body work. The roof is OK but the hood, trunk lid, doors, fenders, rear window filler panel and quarters are BEAT.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3992/dsc08931tq3.jpg

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/3591/dsc08933gc9.jpg

1. I see OER sells parts, but I guess they are just relabeled Goodmark parts that are marked up to a higher price?

2. I also have been told there is more than 1 manufacturer for the 2" cowl hoods and the fenders....so Im looking to find out which panels are the better quality ones.

3. Also, I wonder if the replacement sheetmetal is the same gauge as original and if it is resistant as the prignal sheetmetal....or is it softer??? I am asking this because I bought a rear valance for my 1970 Dodge Challenger from Goodmark and the sheetmetal was so soft it almost bent in my hands while holding it!!! It dented super easy as well as if it was made out of lead. If the quarter panels are made out of that grade of sheetmetla it would suck as they would get dented/wavy in no time.



Ok, in order- Most all of the first gen sheetmetal is made by Golden Legion,which is then re-packaged as OER, GoodMark,Dynacorn,etc.... This includes the cowl hoods. Repros metal as measured by my digitial micrometer are 3.5 thousandths of an inch thinner (not softer)than GM, BUT...... are made of a better grade of steel. The steel of the 60's while a slightly thicker gauge was also full of sulphur and other impurities of the day...Bottom line, the new stuff while slightly lighter,is actually at least as sturdy. The new Dynacorn full bodies actually claim a thicker gauge than original. Not sure about the Challenger valance you looked at... In terms of corrosion resistance, the new stuff is EDP (electro dip primer) coated. There are some U.S. made panels making the scene,and there is always NOS. In both cases, you need to have a pretty hefty budget.

Hope this helps to clarify...

I have a question regarding the fit of the different manufacturer body panels. Can anyone tell me if one company makes a front fender for the 69 Camaro that fits better than ones I bought? I believe these were Goodmark brand... the driver side stands off from the door a good 5/8" while the mount already hits the firewall and the passenger side is not much better. My original fenders ( which I already ditched not thinking )
had to have thick spacers under the mounts at the firewall.There is that much difference!

I contacted the retail store,he let me go through his stock and guess what.....they were all that bad.

One any better than the other in regard to fit?

So this may be a good time for a instructional video. A couple weeks ago, A customer watching me "adjust" the right fender on one of our current projects, was so amazed at our adjustment procedure and he suggested he video the adjustment of the left fender.

While we were having a bit of fun with this, this is VERY real and has been common practice for many years. In fact, this adjustment was / is required all the repo and on most of the last NOS fenders we saw / see.

Matt, has only been with us a few months and has not seen this process yet. So he was really nervous for many reasons, but amazed afterward, LOL!

The car belongs to my insurance and worker compensation agent, LOL!

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/th_2dbe5f69.jpg (http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/?action=view&current=2dbe5f69.flv)

Oh, almost for got Tim, they all fit just as good as the next one no matter what final name branding!

Oh, almost for got Tim, they all fit just as good as the next one no matter what final name branding!

Amen! Awesome video..... You could Ebay those wooden blocks! :) Not so sure about the sledge,though... Thats a mean looking adjustment tool....

Glad to hear someone else tell it like it is.... NOS, and all of the repro brands need tweaks as you have said and now demonstrated.

That fender looks like it fit like a glove when you were through.:beers::thumbsup:

Finally...someone knows what their talking about!
Great video.
I headed out to the shop right now!

I'll have to stop laughing first though........thanks I needed that!

I like it when the entire car jumps, LOL!

Frank, you are my HERO!! "Beat it to Fit, Paint it to Match" really does work!!! Thanks for the grin!....Jb

I hope my husband didn't see that! Hehehe, pretty funny.

Wow, that wasn't what I was expecting to see...but if it works...:)

Yep, sometimes them body panels just need that gentle touch lol.

Does the block need to be pressure treated ? :D

I clicked on the picture and it says "Oops no video". I really wanted to see it to, my D/S fender needs some gentle persuasion.

Works for me, but it is my account. If you are still having a problem let me know at ProdigyCustoms@aol.com and i will set up another link for you, or try this

http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/?action=view&current=2dbe5f69.flv

Ahhh, the legendary skills that come with age and experience.