ok i'am new here and just got a 67 plane jane camaro. i know everyone will say get a different car but iam stuck with this gem.i need to replace inner and outer wheel housings, trunk floor(not real bad but has small holes) both quarters and tail section including the inner tail section.I have the equipment welder, spot weld cutters, flangers etc... which is why i ended up with a basket case car ha ha, what needs done first and how do i keep everything lined up?
and yes i'll be using the dreaded repop panels,going to try the full quarters hope there decent. also in general how much are they getting to ship these things? i know thats adumb question without point of shipping and destination but just a ball park figure

I used all repo panels on my 68 camaro and it looks good.Ive had body panels damaged in shipping before. Large items they usually charge $100 or more for truck freight so now I buy at swap meets.You can see what your buying and check them for straightness.If you go full quarters you will save time and money in the long run because skins need alot of plastic work to look good.

Before you start take pictures of the car from all angles up close and a fair distance away (do this on level ground). Then get out some paper and start taking dimensions. Gaps between doors/quarters/fenders, inside trunk from the floor to the bottom edge of the panel (between window and trunk) take at both quarters and in the center, gaps between trunk lid and quarters, take out the rear window and measure the window opening, measure the mounting location of the trunk lid spring brackets on the inner fender well, measure from the ground to the bottom of the quarters (several locations both sides), measure the space between the drip rail and the quarters(in sail panel area), measure the trunk opening (quarte to quarter top and bottom, rear panel to upper panel passenger and driver side) and take more pictures.

Disassembly:

If the doors, fenders, and quarter are properly aligned I would leave the fenders and doors in place and just work the rear quarters (align the new to the existing). Jack up the rear (and front if you have enough stands) and place jack stands under the rear end. Remove all tires, mouldings, trim, lights, wiring, windows, bumpers, etc. I would then lay the new sheet metal over the existing and mark the cut lines (more than likely just the sail panel area) do not remove too much. The next step would be to start removing the old panels. Start with one of the quarters. Cut as many spot welds as possible then use either an air sheetmetal cutter, high speed cut off, or sawzall (I prefer cut offs and air chisel method). The quarter (if you purchase full quaters) needs to be cut off inside the door jamb, at the rocker (be carefull here do not damage the rocker), around the wheel well (can be agressive here if you are replacing the wheel wells), upper body panel (be careful if not replacing the panel) , I would recomend replacing), at the rear panel (be careful if not replacing). Remove both quarters then remove the outer wheel wells then the inner (the trunk lid spring supports need to be cut free from the inner wheel wells) I would take pictures of the wheel wells (once the quarter is removed) prior to cutting them off.

Assembly (later when you are ready).

PS I just finished this on my 68.

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68SS ZZ4, 4sp T-10, 12 bolt, getting painted

78Z28, 330hp vortec, TH350, 10 bolt (just finished)

sad67, where in ohio are you? I ask because if you are so inclined, you could drive to gearbox grannies in Hamilton and pick up your new panels. They are a distributor for Goodmark, and you shouldn't have to worry about shipping that way. If Hamilton is too far for you, get on the Goodmark site and search their list of distributors.
I live in Dayton and had quarters shipped from Classic Camaro and it was about $130 delivered to a business address-additional $30 or so to deliver to your home. At the time I thought they were my only option. Turns out that a couple more companies are nearby-relatively speaking. I think NPD has a warehouse in Michigan and Paddock has a warehouse in Indiana.
If you want to go the swap meet route, the Super Chevy show is this weekend at National Trails In Columbus. I have no idea which vendors will be there though.

[This message has been edited by bretcopsey (edited 09-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by bretcopsey (edited 09-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by sad67 (edited 09-15-2000).]

Thanks for all your replys and info, at least i feel a little more at ease now about this project.Genguy, if you wouldnt mind i'd like to see the assembly portion of your advise. I really appreciate the detailed info.I'am in youngstown so hamilton would be about three and 1/2 hour drive which is much better then paying for shipping and i would really like to see panels before i buy, checked out there website(grannies) and they are coming to canfield swapmeet next week so i'll check them out there and if they bring the tin iam set! Well thanks again guys if anybody has pics of there projects please e-mail me with them id be interested in seeing them.