What would you guys do with my quarter panels?

[69Keith]

First off, I'd like to say hello to everyone. Been reading these threads for the last couple years and just now posting.. Everyone here has been a huge help in information, thanks for sharing the wealth of knowledge!

I have a question for you all. First a quick rundown...

I'm restoring my 69 Camaro that I bought from my sister, it was to be handed down to her son, my nephew Tony. Tony decided after a while that he would never be able to restore the car the way it needed to be, so it would be best to sell it to me, he had plans to help me restore it so it could be his project also. 2 months later he was killed in a car accident. So this is a very heartfelt project for me and I will keep this car until I die and I want it to be right the first time.

Originally I was on the track to replace every bit of the sheet metal on the car so I didn't have to worry about anything, ever. The car overall is rusted pretty bad and everything needs replacing except the roof. When I got to the quarters I realized they had already been replaced before with GM quarters off of another car, possibly from a junk yard. My problem is, the last body guy cut below the sail panel and butt welded under the back side windows. The quarters are mostly in good shape with no rust in the middle of the panels and rust in all of the trouble prone areas, door jamb seam, rocker seam, trunk jamb, etc.. I have read everyone's fitment issues with aftermarket quarters, I had originally planned on Goodmark replacements.

Have a look at the pics and tell me would you:
A. Scrap the old GM quarters and replace with Goodmark..
B. Keep the quarters that are in the car and clean up the troubles and rust and the last guy's work and leave em..

Please forgive me, the size of the pics are large so that you could see them well and they were taken with my iphone so not great quality.
Thanks in advance!
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[J2SpeedandCustom]

Cut them off and put on new full panels! Having 1 seam at the top is enough... :yes:

[69Keith]

I figured I needed 2 seams for extra rigidity :D

[elitecustombody]

I'd replace them ,the time you'll spend trying to fix all the problems could be spent on installing new rust-free sheetmetal, if you need high quality AMD sheetmetal at wholesale prices, let me know, I'm distributor for AMD and they carry full OEM style quarters and bunch of other sheetmetal as well as glass

[Rick D]

With that other seam I would say you don't have GM qtr's on the car already so that being said cut them off and put new fulll qtr's on.

[camaro2nv]

I sure would like to see a how to on the first gen. Ill be doing them soon and pics of the install would be great.

[waynieZ]

If you can do them cut them off. Fitting new one will have more resistance to rust problems later on.

[redfire69]

Cut them off and put on new full panels! Having 1 seam at the top is enough... :yes:

X2. Going through this on my 69. Rockers may be an issue too. The more you dig, the more you find.

[DOOM]

Put two full quarters and rockers on this baby!!:lateral:

[67rstbkt]

Put two full quarters and rockers on this baby!!:lateral:

X2, you'll be glad you did it when it starts to come together again. I was a little nervous about cutting my car apart since I've never done this before, but I am starting to feel better about it as my car is starting to look like a car again.

[69Keith]

I sure would like to see a how to on the first gen. Ill be doing them soon and pics of the install would be great.

There was an awesome how to article in Camaro Performers a couple issues back.. Lots of pics and info. If I can dig it up I will let you know what issue it was

[camaro2nv]

There was an awesome how to article in Camaro Performers a couple issues back.. Lots of pics and info. If I can dig it up I will let you know what issue it was

Thanks!

[67rstbkt]

I sure would like to see a how to on the first gen. Ill be doing them soon and pics of the install would be great.

Check out my 67 Firebird build thread. It's my first time doing extensive body work. I've got plenty of pics. I may be able to answer some questions about the process too. Oh, and replace them :thumbsup:

[Reckley]

I agree that the quarters should come off. I'm just not sure re-pop quarters are the answer. My experience with re-pop panels fitting hasn't been very good. I know it's hard to find GM quarters and they are expensive but, sometimes the extra cost is well worth it.

I don't like the fact that I can see an extra seam on your quarters. There's a good chance you don't have GM quarters. If you know they are GM I would get them stripped down to bare metal and see what can be done with them. I'm assuming you are going to have someone do the work for you. If so, get their opinion.


Mike

[elitecustombody]

Here is where you need to buy best quality sheetmetal.AMD is hands down the highest quality sheetmetal,period.nothing comes even close

http://autometaldirect.com/ListItems/SubCategory/Quarter/Quarter%20Panel.aspx

http://autometaldirect.com/UserData/Images/Large/101152.jpg

[elitecustombody]

There should be a die stamp, if they are GM quarter panels. Perhaps someone has a photo of one to show him. 69 GM NOS quarters are the best in quality. Repros are junk. Regardless, the quarters need to be replaced, rockers, new outer wheelhouses, etc. I used Camaro Specialities to get my NOS quarters for my 67 Camaro. http://www.camaros.com/camaro_sheet_metal.php Price on 69 NOS sheetmetal is very high. You might also find some on Ebay.


Jeff

Obviously you haven't seen or worked with AMD sheetmeta.ln most cases AMD parts are same as OE or thicker,have better crisp lines,corners and edges and fitment is as good as OE or better . Do your homework and stop compare cheap garbage to AMD,

[Bakaruda]

AMD all the way.