I have searched and found lots of talk about problems with the 67-68 quarters but can't seem to find much on the quality of installation work performed by Goodmark.

I have a 69 that needs both rear quarters and outer wheelhouses. I have a mig welder and am a good mechanic, but inexperienced welder and feel that my skills are not up to this job. I am not afraid to try but don't think I want to learn on my car.

From what I have read it looks like the 69 panels line up better than the earlier cars-Right?

Can anyone comment on their experience with the Goodmark Installation center? or link me to the threads?

thanks, Matt

Here is one person's experience with the center. http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12193

69 panels are indeed better then 67 / 68, but I DO NOT suggest someone doing there own if it is their first time. A properly installed job will pay you back in spades on resale later.

Holy Crap!
That is one scary story. My dad bought our 69 in 1970 I would be crushed to have that happen.I have five kids waiting to drive it!:D

Frank-Would your shop do the r&r on my 1/4s ? I am in Fairhope (Mobile) Alabama so I could come to you. I fear your shop may be out of my budget though.
-Matt

I don't agree that you shouldn't try on your own. If you are an auto mechanic than your skills are up to the challange.

Get some scrap and practice mig welding. Its not rocket science and you will pick it up easy.

I have seen many body shops here in Florida (I won't speak for elsewhere) that employee laborers that have no skills and could care less about your car. Most are in collision repair and don't want your car taken up space when that could be slammin them out with all those insurance checks.

There is no better time and place to learn but on your own vehicle because you know how much it means to you and you will do it right.

However,there are draw backs but it depends on how you look at it and if you are a perfectionist.

Doing it yourself means you will know every little flaw even if it is less than the guy you are paying performs.

If you have no mechanical skills and have never turned a wrench or worked in any kind of trade than maybe you be better off paying someone....maybe!

i agree with corvettemaster here. the welding it's just really a bunch of light tack welds anyway. you're not running a bead of weld in one shot on the panel. get some sheet metal from home depot or something and practice welding. you're out like what...10 bucks in supplies and you can tack well all day long until you can make a smiley face.

other than goodmark doing so so work...are their panels at least decent compared to other aftermarket body parts out there?

you should get them to oxy-acetalene welded.

There is more to it than just knowing how to weld or learning how to. It`s more of a matter of knowing how to fit and line the panels up. You always have to massage an area here and there to get it to fit properly. That`s where the skill involved is needed. Not so much knowing how to weld.

what does it exactly mean when there is a gap in one side or another?
my right side has a small gap... the drivers side i can fit my fingers all the way up to the knuckles but i have skinny and long fingers they look good and the lines match... so what does this mean... it is just the setion where the trunk floor is.

I'm not taking up for the Goodmark Installation Center, but I will present the following facts. Back in 2005, the shop was actually 'owned' by Goodmark. There have been some major changes at Goodmark, and as of now, The Installation Center is now back in private hands. It is still an 'aurothized installation center', but it is now privately owned again. I would suspect you might get a better quality job now, as the owners of the shop are the ones doing the work.

We probably are a bit more then Goodmark, 20 hours per side.

Thanks for the interest and replies. One factor I have to consider is time. I have five kids, twelve to two 1/2, If i try it myself it would take me forever to get the job done to my satisfaction, the remaining work after the quarters, sanding priming and paint, will probably take me six months. I get to work on my toys from 9 pm to five am ( I tell people that it is everyones free time-if they waste it sleeping-thier fault:) ) I am sure you guys are familiar with that routine.

I also agree with you Corvettmaster-I have yet to find a job I couldn't do, and am tempted to take this on, but as I age I hope I am getting better at choosing what to sign on for.

If I do not do it I will have to go to Prodigy or someone similar.

I am sure fired up to get this car alive again- it has been hibernating since 1988, it was my daily driver from 1976 to 1988 and Dads before that- love this car!
-Matt

One of the best, if not the best "back yard" body man i know is a flat rate GM mechanic. No body work background just good old american common sense. Floor boards,quarter panels,rockers ect.....He does it all. NICELY.

Dont be afraid to try it. Body men arent brain surgeons. Just take your time, ask/post questions and you'll be ok.

Its the FIVE kid thing that scares me !!!!!


good luck...bob

Ok- Numerous hints and plain begging to anyone I know who might care has NOT resulted in Foose and Overhaulin at my door Sooooooooo-

After a phone conversation with Frank at Prodigy -I am going to go with him. He has the bonafides and is willing to do my small ( to them ) job at a fair price. He even passed on his discount for the metal.

I will say it first- I am a WIMP! first automotive / mechanical job I am not going to try :o

I have been looking at this job since 1988 when I quit driving it regularly and I obviously need a swift kick in the a.. to get moving.

And yes the five kids is a little scary- small buggers but they outnumber us!!

I will be taking some pictures and starting a beginning to end thread. I hope to show as good a progress as some of the other folks here.

-Matt

Matt, your quarters are here, so we are ready when you are.

I installed my own tail panel and it was hard. But the main reason it was hard is becuase someone else replaced the quarters and then someone after that replaced them again leaving 2 layers of quarters over the original quarters and destroying the flange on the original. If you have an unmolested car I don't see it being a big deal to replace yourself.