I haven't had the opportunity to touch the tail panel problem since my last post on it, but we're going to try again this weekend. (if all goes as planned)
I pulled in the tail panel to meet the bumper mounts, using bolts. If we weld it like it is (off by less than 1/8 inch, I can't get any closer) will the bumper fit properly and cover the fact that we are >1/8" where the body lines on the quarters and tail panel meet? Sorry, I haven't quite mastered being able to draw on the pics...

Looks good to me what you've done so far. I personally don't see 1/8 inch in the photos, maybe I'm not looking in the right place.

I would try the tail light fit and trunk lid fit before welding.

Keep at it, patience is the key, I think.

Ok looking at the pictures the seam down the side does not look that big, seems like seam sealer would address that fine.

The question I have are in the picture I am attaching, and may be an optical illusion.

The section in red along the seam looks largers/higher than the section in green. Almost like the rear bend is over bent preventing the corner to mate up closer.

If its just me then great, however if its not then...

I guess you could fix the area with filler to make the quarter look in line with the tail panel. No? Since some work will have to be done on the corner to sdress the tooling stetch marks in the red area.

Jeff, your red and green areas will be the easiest to fix. If you look at the pic you drew on, look to the left of the bumper mounting holes to the edge, where the qrtr and tail panel meet. That is where we are having the biggest problem, on both sides.

Yeah the seam along the side looks good in the picture to me, nothing some sealer will not handle.

Will the bumper cover it?

It should.
Take alook at the work on this firebird, he has nice pix of how they closed the gap, etc... and of the gap after being done.

http://john.my67.net/body3.htm

Does it look any different when its bolted up...

Mary Beth, test fit the bumper to see what the clearance is and check whether the area you are concerned about is hidden before you do any final welding. I think you'll be fine as is since the bumper mostly covers the area you are referring to, but it pays to check first.

Working on it as we speak (type). My concern at this point is the slight wave in the tail panel from pulling it in to meet the brackets. I think I can make up my 1/8" with body work.

I just caught these pics.. and the gaps you have should be fine.. You will put in seam sealer and it should take care of it.. All of your gaps look good to me.. Probably better than many from the factory..

Well since soccer dominated the weekend, I didn't get much of anything done. I was able to mess around with the wave in the panel. It is still there, but not quite as obvious.