1970-73 tailpanel repop
 

I spoke to a well known vender last week who was looking seriously into getting the '70-'73 tailpanel repopped. One of the hangups is trying to guage the demand for this. He is concerned since he will be putting up the money to get it done and have to give up an NOS panel to be used as a model for the tooling. He figures if there is enough demand to do a run of at least 500, the price could be around $300-$400. If not, a smaller run would make the price much higher. If the demand isn't there, it likely wouldn't be done, at least by him.

On the surface, it seems like a high demand product, however, only about 100 of the '74-'78 tailpanels have been sold so far. Those appeared to be high demand at the time they were done too.

He doesn't frequent these boards much, but I mentioned I would put a post out there to get some feedback. Also, I am adding a poll to try to get a count of how many here need one and would be buyers assuming it is a correctly done, high quality product. Vote each time for each panel you would need (if you need more than one).

Do you mean the metal structural panel with the rear valance or the plastic panel between the tail lights?

The metal structural panel with the rear valance.

The cost of this could be cut considerably by only doing the panel from the bumper attaching bolt holes down. If your car is so shot that it is rusted up to tail lights the car most likely needs way more than a tail panel.

I would probable buy three or four of them for some of my project cars.

I would buy one if the quality was good!

The lower panel below the bumper is a good idea as it should work for the Camaro guys too (= more sales). :Peace: The inner panel below the bumper should be done also since they both rust out together. The inner panel should be an easy part to repop.

It would only let me vote one time. I would buy two or three. I think it would be a very worthwhile venture and I cant understand why it wasnt done before the 74 up style. I would be happy to pay that much if it was good quality. A cheaper partial panel to replace the area below the bumper would also be a big hit. Please keep us posted.

I did ask him why he did the '74-'78 style before the '70-73s. He said he thought the demand would be bigger since there were more years covered and more cars made = much bigger audience. IMO - I am not sure that translates 1-for-1 into demand.

I'd buy one if the quality was good as the other members have suggested. I have a hard time believing only 100 of those 74-78 panels have sold. I will be buying one for my '76 now that I have it stripped down to bare metal.

As much as I would like to have them make the complete panel I think if they made a panel for under the back bumper they would sell more and be cheaper and they are different than the Camaro ones.

I'm with Norwood & weranc55:
The lower rear valance ( mid-bumper to tailpipes)will outsell the complete tail panel by 10 to one.
Proceeds from the sale of the "short" lower panel will offset the cost & smaller sales potential of the "full" panel.
90% of the 70-73's out there could benefit from a NEW lower section & the RAM AIR IV guys can buy the FULL panel.
This keeps everybody happy!

I would not put a repop on a ra4 no matter how good it is. Then again I would have a hard time putting a NOS one on a ra3 especially if it was a non # matching car.

It appears there's TWO of these panels on Ebay currently & they are BOTH claiming to be NOS.
One of the sellers deals in repro parts,but emblems,not sheetmetal.

Reproductions? I wonder?

Perhaps just a coincidence.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-GM-70-71-72-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/1970-1973-70-71-...QQcmdZViewItem

The first one is at 1000.00 & reserve is not met.
Will be interesting to see where it ends. 4 days left!

I need two, if anyone cares.

Agreed-

I'd be interested in one also and i know of 2 other guys here in The Netherlands who would like one also.
When will you know if he proceed's with his idea?

Daan Holman
The Netherlands

He would like to find a partner or two to go in with. It is an expensive venture for one individual to take the risk on, not knowing what the ultimate demand will be. I will probably call him in a few weeks to see if there is any progress on initiating it.

Ended today at over $1900.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-G...36663558QQrdZ1

My car does not need the whole panel, just the lower section. But I would probably buy a complete panel for a spare it they were nice, considering what the NOS one just sold for on ebay.