Photos of taillight/panel gaps needed
 

Looking for some close up pics of tail end of an original or nicely restored 70-73 Firebird without spoiler. I'm particularly interested in (a) the taillight gaps to the quarters, (b) depth of the taillights to the quarter edges, (c) angle of taillights, and (c) whether the trunk lid is perfectly flush to the outer tail panel or whether there is a slight underbite (the lip is slightly behind the edge of the tail panel). Any help would be appreciated. Just want to make sure everything is right before welding commences on new quarters and tail panel.

I sent some to your email.

Chris

Thanks Chris!

I would strongly suggest you bolt in the fiberglass rear panel and light assemblys to get the rear panel depth correct. I had to reweld one side because I didn;t do this first. It was quite difficult for me to get the 71 I just did lined up correctly. Using the rear panel and light assemblys confirm you have it right.. just an idea.. pictures will look nice, but will be deceiving..

Everything is bolted on. Just trying to make sure everything is lined up the way it should be.

here is a few pics
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1426819505
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...3&d=1426819530
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...4&d=1426819544
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...0&d=1426819492
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...2&d=1426819517

EXHAUST TIPS
 

is it understood that the rear lower panel was (for lack of knowing how it was done) beat with a rubber mallet for clearance of the exhaust tips???...is that how all 70 -73 cars are?...if single exhaust only one side?..I will be adding a new muffler & tips and need to check my own car regarding this..when my 1/4s were added I may have told my brother to straighten those 2 dents LOL!..but please tell me how this is done, thanks!!...and mind the gap!..remember a trunk seal will also be involved...actually I just did these adjustments recently and it really came out well, especially considering the 1/4s were replaced...and the metal panel that mounts at the bottem of the rear windshield comes into play for an all around even gap...the rear spoiler lined up nice too..the right side end cap fit perfect, the left not as much..but I believe it may be the part itself..I bet that you will do a better job than the factory!..good luck!!

on the rear lower valance panel, I looked at a number of cars I thought were original and to me it seems correct to bend about 2" wide piece of the lip back for each exhaust extension but I wouldn't dent the actual valance panel. In my opinion, if the curve of the panel needs to be clearance, then tips are sitting too high. The yellow car in the middle photo above shows what I am talking about best.

THANKS!
 

I was being overly dramatic..but I understand its the lip now..thanks!

Thanks for your help guys. What about a shot without the license plate door? I'm curious to see how much of the metal tail panel you should be able to see beneath the fiberglass piece (just above the filler neck). My TA is about 1/4" but I don't know if its been done right.

You don't see the metal ta panel

You're right. Rather than metal tail panel I should have said the trunk floor… the tunnel section above the filler neck…I recall you can see a little of it just below the fiberglass piece--same shape. We're at the point where we can make the tunnel even with the fiberglass piece, but if there should be a slight lip I'll leave it….It would be great to see a few pics

from an old thread…is this about right?