[67drake]

My step son just picked up a "rust free" CA 76 LeMans. Looking for patch panels for the rear 1/4 panels. Are these available?
Thanks,Drake

[chris66]

There were some poor reproduction cheater quarters out there in the past. Not that good. I have one, but really not worth the cost of shipping. How bid of a piece do you need? I have a 76 that is rust free, I will sell the shell firewall back. Chris

[67drake]

I'll get a hold of my son and tell him about this thread. I think he's a member here from years ago. Much easier for him to post pics,or give info. I didn't think these panels were ever made.
He is stationed in Oceanside CA,BTW

[John275]

Hows it going,Thanks for the info. I'm the infamous step son. i bought the car on monday last week and got it for a practice car so i don't ruin anything worth while. My body skills are limited so i wanted to tune them up on this car. But as noted it is impossible to find the replacements. not sure if the picture will post but heres a shot at it.

[John275]

But I do believe i will be able to just butt weld it and form it as is

[rexs73gto]

For me the pic didn't come through so I can't see what your working with , but the patch panals thay are on EBAY are OK, there not the best but you can use them if you have nothing else as the panals do have the correct stampings for the creases in the side of the car. You'll have to work them a bit but there cheap enough to use. Just go to EBAY & you'll find them in the body sectio if you use the header of (Pontisc parts 1973) you'll find them, last I saw they were about $ 114.00 a side. But please if you want to keep getting help don't say these cars aren't worth much, this is the wrong group of people to say that to.

[John275]

not sure if my last posted, if not I appreciate the information, and wanted to apologize if anybody was offended, I ended up ordering some 20 gauge sheet for it, I am just hoping that is not too thin.

John

[rexs73gto]

The patch panels would work just as good for you. I'm not sure what gauge they are but they do have all the correct bends & indents you need to replace your 1/4's & if you seam weld them & cut them good you can have good replacement parts .

[John275]

i will put pictures up when i get it done, i have not quite figured out how to put them in a thread but hey i appreciate it thanks for your time

[67drake]

I'd like to see pics too. Even of just the whole car.
BTW,a box of the parts you ordered showed up here instead of CA!

[Karl Rich]

Has any one used the patch panels fromhttp://www.noramstore.com/default.asp Nor/Am Auto Body Parts they list having lower quarter panels for LeMans/Grand Am.

[rexs73gto]

Those are still the patch panels that are on ebay & there for 74-77 only not the correct ones for a 73 because they don't have the correct wheel lip. Plus they only go back as far as the side marker lamp assy.

[Karl Rich]

Rex do you have a link to the e-bay site they are on, I have not been able to find them on there. The way I look at it that something is better than nothing at all.

[77 Canamman]

You are far better off buying nice, used sheetmetal instead of that junk.

[rexs73gto]

I agree with 77 canamman about buying good used sheet metal, but I'll look & find you the number on ebay for them & try to get it to you as soon as I can. Also the 73 1/4's are the hard ones to come by & the 74-77 1'4's are very plentyfull so those you should be able to find real easy if you go that way.

['ol Pinion head]

eBay doesn't even scratch the surface on what is out there if one is looking for solid used sheet metal in the south and SW. There is very little repro sheet metal I have to use, a good percentage of "new" is ill fitting junk. A few summers ago, 2 northern PY members were yarding with me in a monster southern yard. One needed a rear 1/4 section out of a '73 LeMans, and he had one cut out. Often times, it comes down to knowing where the off the beaten path yards are, esp ones that rarely crush. Then treat such yard operators right, dont insult them. Other times, it takes having those southern contacts keep eyes opened for a solid parts car, then come and get it.

[John275]

Originally Posted by 67drake

I'd like to see pics too. Even of just the whole car.
BTW,a box of the parts you ordered showed up here instead of CA!

yea ha my ma told me about that kinda slowed me down but we just got an argon tank today so I'm going to give it a shot with some 20 gauge sheet,it is in a spot that does not require but a slight convex to it and just the bend that goes into the door jam and the lower lip.

John

[rexs73gto]

Karl Rich I found the patch panel for you if you still want to look at it & maybe call the place about it. If you go to ebay & in the search bar fort ebay type in 1973 pontiac repair panels about 1/2 way down the page theres the panel. It is sold by a company call American muscle car AMC, & there in Greenwald OH. The panels are $ 84.95 each. Let me know what you think of them. I ordered some of these same panels back in 95 but they didn't have the correct wheel lip on them for a 73 at the time so I sent them back. I wish i would have kept them now just to have them for spares to work with.Also at that time I got them from JC Whitney & they only cost me at that time $ 85.00 for both of them. AMC's part number is 84975R & 84975L.

[Karl Rich]

Thanks Rex I'll check them out.