According to my neighbor (retired insurance adjuster) and his brother (Fisher Body employee)....no two formed panels are exactly the same. Temperature, friction and die wear are variables that cause variations from one formed part to the next. My neighbor's brother formed panels at one of the Fisher plants and they used the date and number codes as proofing marks and he had to constantly adjust the forming machine during his shift. This could explain why we see clear characters in some pieces and lightly stamped characters in others. These days the machines are computer controlled and they adjust the hydraulic pressure several times a second during each operation so variations between articles are minimized.
Reportedly, some panels had a checking jig and anything that passed would move along to the production line. Those that didn't pass would become service replacement parts or recycled if the tolerances were too great. Most parts would have a proofing mark of some kind and if the mark didn't transfer completely then that part might not make it to the production line. Really depended on the part I am told.
Apparently, the production line wanted the best parts since those guys didn't have very much time to fiddle around. The parts used for service replacements may be less than ideal but the body shop guys would work them to fit the specific car they were repairing so time spent was less of a concern.
If any of this is true...then I suppose it could explain why some NOS panels fit great while others may not be so great. Same would be true for reproduction parts. Also would explain why parts from a donor car is most everyone's first choice.
Sounds reasonable to me...
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