[gregneun]

Why did all of the trunk seals leak? All previous owners should have spent the 16 bucks for soff-seal or steele rubber products. It would have saved us thousands...

I look at the trunk parts of other old cars in the SoCal Junkyards. I'm always tempted to just cut some old metal out and do the patchwork.

[gregneun]

This big car forum is kind of slow. I check it often for posts, but rarely find many new ones. Maybe this sticky can breathe some life into this forum.

Pony up the posts boys and girls. Maybe we can make it better than the "Show us your car" post that was kept alive for a long time.

How about a decent piece of taillight moulding(?) for a 64 Gp. I'm sure they were die cast using pitanium.

[Hitman]

They guy that bought the 2+2 I had told me he knows Steve Ames. He acutally bought the 2+2 he had for sale a couple of years back. He talked at length about why the lack of needed parts and he said that he was not given a good answer why. He mentioned the tail panels in particular. It seems like the hobby and its suppliers are doing so well off the everyday muscle cars that the others are just not cared about. Just about everyone I know with a 65 fullsize would buy new trunk pans, head light bezels, tail panels, and quarter and fender patches. It almost seems like they dont want these other cars to gain populairty, kind of what Barrett Jackson had been acused of.

[63HO3x2Cat421]

Originally Posted by krautwolf

I won't say sheet metal is the biggest frustration (but I'm thinking it). One thing that's perturbed me is what-fits-what between other GM vehicles and Pontiac. Someone should write a book.

Here ya go, Hollander Interchange manuals have been around for decades and are a nice addition to any automotive library. Used by slavage yards and collision shops for years, it will cross reference any part that will exchange directly with any other parts. Both mecahnical and body parts included.

Try this link direct to Hollander website. The books aren't cheap but shop around for best price.

I'm going to take this discussion in a different direction, we all know how difficult it is to find quality resto parts and the high prices when parts are found. The next most frustrating thing about restoring big chiefs is the probability that even a top quality resto done by owner on a desireable car won't guarantee a fair price if you ever decide to sell the car. They just don't appreciate as quickly as the better known muscle cars, but on the flip side can be purchased much cheaper than say a GTO. Good original or GTO project cars have all but disappeared over the past couple years and those still available command insane prices. I'm seeing incomplete rust buckets with NOM selling for 10,000+!

I predict that within the next decade we'll see a snowball effect in regards to the Dynacorn bodies now being produced. They've got brand new 69 Camaro coupes and vert bodies selling like crazy. Not sure what else is now available from that company but i'd bet we'll soon be able to purchase a brand new body for many of the most popular musclecars sold back then.

[SCIARKL]

Finding sheet metal is not close to impossible. It's impossible. Been looking for front section of passenger 1/4 for 62 Bnvle for 6 months. None to be had.

[fastboy143]

On ebay from "classicparts4u" http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=140074863073.
I'm looking for feedback on these panels. Has anyone used them? I have a car I want to drive, not show. Still, I wouldn't want to waste money on a part that is ultimately headed for the recycle bin.


There was a recent sale and I PM'd the buyer asking for feedback. If that buyer is on this board I don't know, but post comments on your purchase if you're here...

[1963PONTIACKID]

Fastboy, I'm pretty sure those panels are from the same company I got my quarter patches for my 63 from....
Don't buy them....Cut patched out of a parts car before you use these flippin things...horrible quality. They are hand-made panels and it takes alot of beating and swearing to make them fit. They have curves where there shouldnt be curves and low spots etc.
If your patient, you can make them work but personally, I will have to be in big trouble before I puchase these panels again..IMHO.....

[Jerry H.]

They've got brand new 69 Camaro coupes and vert bodies selling like crazy.

???? The last I heard the quality was so poor on the verts that they couldn't hardly give them away. They are in the spotlight because a lot of TV shows have/and are doing build ups based on them. I'm sure these producers were either given these bodies are supplied them verrry cheap just for the advertising.

Also, full trunk pans for 61-4 are in the works, and they won't be that expensive. I'm just not sure of the timetable yet.

[mike nixon]

jerry, while you're at it, do 65/6 pans also.

mike

[ho421]

Jerry, This is wonderful news. Is this your venture or is someone else involved in the repros.

[Jerry H.]

This is a venture that I am somewhat involved in. I can't really get into any details at this point, but I guarantee when the news hits, you will know about it. This goes way beyond just Pontiacs. I'm trying to get a few things pushed thru early on, like the trunk pans, some bumpers & brackets, etc. I just don't have any timetable at this point.
thj
And yes, 65-6 trunk pans are doable. We just need a good sample. That in itself can be hard. Some used vendors (even ones that do business here on this board) aren't being very cooperable. I guess they think new metal will kill their used business.

[mike nixon]

it would seem to me that repro pans would drive the price of the oem used up as more people would build the cars.

if you didn't have to cut one out, i'd drive my car down so you could measure it.

mike

[mike nixon]

i'd also like to see some of the lucite stuff for g/p's repro'd. steering wheel centers, dash emblems, ect.

mike

[Stu Norman]

If I wanted easy I would be into Mustangs.

Parts are hard to find, good parts are made out of unobtanium, but it's all worth it once I get behind the wheel.

[65N66Drkside]

Sheet metal. Sheet metal. Posi parts. Sheet metal. And all the dumba$$es who say "too bad it ain't a GTO"!!!!!!!

[Hitman]

Tail panels(inner and outer). Heck anything on the rear of the cars. I wonder how many fullsize pochos would be on the road today if such parts were available. With that mentioned thier are a couple of 65 Cat coupes on ebay right now for sale for well under a grand you guys could cut up and use as templates.

[fastboy143]

Thanks for the feedback 1963pontiackid. I have made contact with the fellow that bought the panels. He's having them installed professionally this summer. I will check back with him then and find out if they were a success. That is, unless I've taken care of my body issues before then.
Hitman, your car looks terrific on the other post. Tell me, do you think a 245 would fit, or is 235 really the limit without getting other wheels. Your car and mine will be absolute twins before long.

[Engine-Ear]

the lack of "out-of-view" stuff for DarkSiders and especially in my case, '62s:

- polyurethane / performance suspension bushings
- fat front & rear sway bars
- upper control arm shaft kits, lower ball joints, center links and idler arms (that last like GM or Moog)
- brake shoes with riveted asbestos linings (Raybestos 160RR 191RR)
- interior windlace (around the doors)
- performance/ semi-performance front and rear shock absorbers
- electrical stuff (for example)
- Safari rear window switch (both dash and rear interior types)
- Spring steel heater control contacts
- all those odd, solderless crimp terminals

OK, I'll quit this stream of consciousness...

[Venomous Type]

i bought a set of those panels on ebay and they are alright.

will take some work but they are still deicent.

if you dont HAVE a parts car like most of us dont, or have been waiting for ages to find panels these are
a good resort. plus if your bodyman is talented it wouldnt be a problem.

[BOB VIDAN]

All you big car guys looking for sheetmetal, try ALL American Classics in Vancouver, Wa. Been there a billion times and am telling you there is lots of good sheetmetal available. No, I don't have a vested interest, just trying to tell you where to get some pieces to keep them big cars going and get them restored. 360-254-8850, T-F, 9AM - 4PM, Sat 9AM-1PM, I think.