I am going to start buying alot of sheet metal soon and I am wandering who to go with. I keep hearing of all these other companies but hardly never hear about NPD. The sheet metal I need requires truck freight and after comparing prices NPD has the cheapest shipping to my residence. This would make a big difference seeing that no matter what site I go to the prices are only off by $20.00 dollars or so. Except for the N.O.S panels. I would like to hear what the experts have to say on this.

Now that Rick's is a shadow of it's former self, I reccommend using NPD. They usually have stuff in stock, reasonable prices and fast shipping.

I've used NPD several times in the past and have always been quite satisfied with their prices, shipping, and customer service. I'm sure the quality of their sheet metal is the same as everyone else's, I don't feel qualified to comment on that.

Using repop metal is a crap shoot. Some fit fine others dont. They are pretty much made by the same company and different re-sellers put their name on the box. There may be some companies that started to make their own parts but not sure. Its all mostly Golden Legion. From what I understand Hearbeat City makes nice USA panels and they are thicker sheetmetal. How much better for the difference in price I dont know. All the panels on my car even the NOS 1/4's I put on needed tweaking. Make sure you can return the part if its not fitting to your satisfaction. Find a reseller in your area and maybe he can swap parts locally instead of shipping across the country. Good luck !

Another satisfied NPD customer here....

I have used national parts Depot since 1986 for my Camaro and Chevelle Parts. Always very satisfied, Customer Service Second to None. Highly Recommend.

Tory

I got a new catalog from NPD recently and I thought their prices were kinda high. I was just comparing them to so other new catalogs I have from other places. I have bought from them before and was happy with the service, but it's been awhile.

I used NPD in Ocala for the sheetmetal replacments on my 69. Drove there to save truck freight and make sure everything started out undamaged. All of it was imported. I got two doors, cowl hood, two fenders and two partial quarters. Yup, I can probably enter it in the import shows now. I asked them to open them up to check for damage and the NPD salesman opened every box right there on the front display floor. He actually seemed glad to do it too. One piece was dinged and he got another that was fine. All in all worth the drive and very happy with the service. The body guy didn't seem overly excited about the prep work and fit (meaning it didn't cost extra), so the sheet metal fit was probably average.

I use them regularly with absolutely no trouble. They expect you to check out parts before you leave, and if anything is wrong when it gets shipped to you, they fix it right away. They the one time they sent the wrong part, they replaced it free and prefered I not send the wrong one back. Not worth the paperwork they said. Worked for me! I have also used them when I had installation problems. With the time difference, I was able to get help from the guys in california after the michigan store closed.

Having NPD only a little over an hour away is nice. But beware sometimes when there may be a better quality part out there they usually have the cheaper one. At least with Ricks they usually give you the option of either part. Returning parts either defective or just not needing it is not a problem even if its been a few years since purchase.

I just finished rebuilding a '69 vertRS and bought two front fenders, a front inner wheel well, two rear outer wheel wells and two quarters, all of which was from Tiawan. Although not perfect, the overall fit was pretty good and did not need much tweaking. I would not hesitate to buy from them again.

NPD is a great company,And so is Goodmark, Both are good for shipping prices.

One thing truck freight is BY WEIGHT ONLY! If you order ALL of your truck shipping at one time you will save a alot of buckeys!

I've ordered things from NPD and have had no problems. You may want to consider Belair Bob's as well -- competitive pricing, good customer service

Find a reseller in your area and maybe he can swap parts locally instead of shipping across the country.

This is the route I've been going down, and have been very happy. In addition to being able to return a panel, and have a replacement in the same day, I'm also making a few friends and getting a significant amount of other local contacts I'll be using. Prices are very competitive. Sometimes even cheaper than I've found online. Avoiding almost all shipping charges is nice as well.

Of course this will only work if you can find someone around your area. I thought I was going to have to order everything online until I started visiting a few local car shows and speaking with car owners. After that the floodgates opened. I've found a large amount of local builders who are more than willing to help me out with orders.

Well, I thank all of you for allowing me to read your minds. The good thing is I just moved to Port Saint Lucie which is a small town in FL. The nice thing is that there are alot of car lovers here and I always see a chevelle or a belaire even a few tea buckets riding around town. Haven't seen a 1st Gen Camaro though. I better hurry so I can cruise my baby. I know there is weekly car show here and I am going to attend one to check it out. I use to live in Miami and there were alot of shops to chose from. I just hate walking into that shop that the guy behind the counter thinks he knows EVERYTHING and tries to rip you off or calls you stupid in different words. I guess thats why even in Miami I always ordered from online. I love the small town feeling and also the hospitality so I am going to give these good folks a chance:D. But if they are jerks:boxing:. Naw J/K

Thanks for all the feedback you guys are great!!!!!! will post more questions as they come up!!

For whatever it's worth ... I have used NDP in the past for some stuff and never have had an issue. Quick delivery too.

NPD is a good company. And since you are in PSL it's only a cpl hours up the turnpike and 75 from you. If purchasing a lot of stuff would be worth the trip to drive up and pick up your stuff in person. This time of year I go through Ocala 6-7 times going to g'ville. Next trip I plan to pick up a new tail panel for my 67 'Bird.

Just got back from NPD hour ago. $1300 worth of stuff (dont tell my wife). Everything I needed was in stock. Excellent service as well.

I'm a big fan of finding a local Goodmark dealer so you if you run into issues, you can return them and avoid the shipping hassles. A great way to find someone is going to a swap meet.

Glad to hear so many people are happy w/NPD

O.K. NPD has earned what I am about to say;
I live in Naples FL and in the last 2 years I have ordered every single piece of sheetmetal listed in there catalog.

As a business they have been great with customer service. I had a trunk lid shipped and it kept coming in damaged and they kept sending them. I ended up with 5 lids for the price of one. all of them raher minor in damage but I told them I paid for a perfect lid and expected one, they agreed.

I have yet to assemble everything but for the most part a good majority of sheetmetal is coming out if the same Asian manufacture so no matter where you go you could end up paying more for the same exact part.

So that being said Customer service should be considered as important as price & shipping.

For these reason I would suggest that you can't go wrong with NPD in Ocala FL.

I highly recommend NPD. Their service is excellent and I have been happy with the quality of their parts.