[ebd]

I have just removed my tail panel from my 67 conv. firebird. It was in real bad shape so I cut most out with a air chisel and the cut the rest off a little at a time. This was not an easy job which is the reason for my question.
I have a second parts car that I planned on taking the tail panel out of to use on this car. But after seeing how torn up the old one was after getting it off I can't see how I will get the other one off without trashing it.
Is it just a " go slower and drill out all of the spot weld" kind of thing or is it a "look in the catalog and buy one" kind of thing.
I also noticed that the Camaro tail panel was about $90-$100 and the Firebird panel is $300!!!. What gives? Anybody know of a less expensive tail panel for this car?
Classic ind. is $299 and Goodmark is a little more. I don't really know where else to look.
Thanks
Eldon

 

[gene_sc]

IIs it just a " go slower and drill out all of the spot weld" kind of thing

Yes it is but what you have to do is cut the back off the parts car with a sawsall thru the 1/4s and floor ect so then you are looking at the inside structure...... and no air chisel I use a hammer and stiff putty knife, or a gasket scaper after I drill with a blair cutter or a spot weld bit. its alot slower but the only realisct way to save the outer and do as little damage as possible.

NOTE: You could do it with out cutting the back off the parts car but it is very hard to do if you have not done it before.. but you have a sample in front of you to see where all the spot welds are

Dynacorn also makes a firebird tail pan I believe....

Also it would help to a insurance adjuster there to tell you it should only take 6 hours to trim it off and install it
LOL ... lil body shop humor for you

 

[ebd]

Gene,
Thanks again for the info. It is just hard to get my head aroung cutting off the back end of the parts car for this panel but then that is what this car was for. Both of the rear 1/4's on the parts car are org. and in good shape but then I don't need them so out comes the torch.
Thanks
Eldon

PS. Gene, was I about right on the prices for the rear panel? Don't you sell them?
My email is ebd@door.net if you want to give me a price for that panel.

 

[gene_sc]

It is just hard to get my head aroung cutting off the back end of the parts car for this panel but then that is what this car was for. Both of the rear 1/4's on the parts car are org. and in good shape but then I don't need them so out comes the torch.

Its possible to do without cutting off the car, but is very hard to do.....

PS. Gene, was I about right on the prices for the rear panel? Don't you sell them?

Yes you are correct... I think they charge more for the Firebird because it a more complex panel. Sorry i don't have an extra body panel to sell you. the only parts I have are either leftover ones I buy extras at a good deal. I am going to the Portland Swap meet today... If I see one cheap I'll grab it.... I won't be home till sometime Saturday

 

[makoshark]

If you have a parts car with a pair of good quarters on it, then I wouldn`t cut them up. I would, however, carefully cut them off for resale. You can get some pretty good money for them and maybe make up the cost of a new tailpanel.

 

[ebd]

This car has two good org. quarters with no cancer(only surface rust) and little if any bondo, like 1/8". Are the really worth cutting off? I thought everybody went for the nos stuff not the taken off of the old car stuff. That is why I have not cut them off yet, it seemed like a crime messing up two good quarters. I'll see if I can get them off without screwing them up.
Thanks
Eldon

 

[makoshark]

You wouldn`t be able to get the price the NOS quarters are going for, but I bet you would be able to get somewhere around what the repo`s are going for, if not a bit more. That is if they are in as good of shape as you say they are. I`ll take them off your hands for a friendly price. LOL

 

[gene_sc]

This car has two good org. quarters with no cancer(only surface rust) and little if any bondo, like 1/8". Are the really worth cutting off? I thought everybody went for the nos stuff not the taken off of the old car stuff. That is why I have not cut them off yet, it seemed like a crime messing up two good quarters. I'll see if I can get them off without screwing them up.
Thanks
Eldon

EDB you might check the firebird album on my site it has a few pics of a 1/4 cut off and some detail shots..... the hardest part is the "B" pillar to get off(take the inner section off with 1/4 panel) at teh base of the rocker