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THE LOBBY A gathering place. Introductions, sports, showin' off your ride, birthday-anniversary-milestone, achievements, family oriented humor. |
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#1
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Go With New Sheet Metal, or Not?
In the '67 GTO Tech section, a recent thread discusses this very question. A few major points are made, but the major takeaway is: fix the originals panels if at all possible if there is no or very little rust. Do not replace just because it's a quicker, easier path to take. One of the main reasons is that the replacement metal is usually "Chinese junk", that can very much become a problem in the future.
This leads me to my question: I am also restoring a 1972 Alfa Romeo GTV at the moment, the paint/body shop is asking me to buy a new trunk skin, as the old one has rust where the emblem is located. Also, left side of the taillight panel was hit back in the '90's, and repaired with a lot of bondo. The shop owner says this panel is going to take alot of hours to do because of its shape/contour and strongly recommends a replacement. I've attached a couple ofpics of the rear end below, and you can see where the waviness is, in areas behind the license plate spot and the bumper area. The replacement pieces (trunk and tail light panel) come from Italy, whether or not they are OEM, I'm not sure. He is in the middle of repairing the left rear quarter, also attached, and is not asking for a replacement. I've resigned to the fact I will likely replace the trunk skin because of the rust. I do not have a photo. Thoughts on the tail panel? |
#2
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as a lifer bodyman i will give my opinion...
if i could find new pieces that are high quality, i would replace the 1/4, because the panels are stretched horribly...BUT..if i could find a good old school metal man, that could work the metal, instead of "cave and pave" with filler, id let him take a shot at it, but it looks terribly thin on the 1/4 panel...the tail panel looks to me, like a repairable/straighten-able part..
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Mark.. The Goat whisperer "I spent a lot of my money on booze, crazy women, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." |
#3
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Keep the trunk skin. That rear quarter should be replaced.
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If you built it, drive it. red 62 Tempest total stock restoration. white 62 Tempest modified, 61 389 Tri-Power, and a conventional drive train. |
#4
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I agree. The quarter should probably be replaced, if the metal is as thin as it appears. IMO, if your bodyman would spend as much to straighten that tailpanel as to replace it, you may want to find a different bodyman.
Just my 2 cents.
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"What the hell's wrong with freedom man? That's what it's all about." (Billy) "Oh yeah, that's what it's all about alright... but talkin about it and bein it, that's two different things." (George) Easyrider |
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