I'm looking to replace my trunk in my '71. I'm bouncing back and forth between Tamraz and CARS Inc. I looked at AMD but they didn't have anything for the Buick. Now I think I can go with a Chevelle (Blasphemy!!!!) trunk pan but want to get some opinions from the community. Thanks ~Scott
Thanks for the info Derek! Had no idea the Monte Carlo shared the floor pan. Should of been specific, just the floor of the trunk. It looks like just the center section needs to be changed as i was able to push through with my thumb LOL. ~Scott
Sorry,I thought you meant trunk lid,I'm not sure about the trunk pan being the same from a Monte' Carlo,but maybe,the rear of the M/C is A-body frame starting from behind the front tires starting at the fire wall. Their was a junkyard in Pensulvania that use to sell A-body convert. frames that were Chevelle/Monte' Carlo(or used any front A-body they had for the front) hi-breds. The front section of the M/C was cut off and the Chevelle front section was welded on using a jig,and sold as convert frames becuase the M/C frame is boxed in like the A-body convert. frames were. Derek
Montes use the same lid as Skylark. The floor I would imagune is the same as Chevelle. As far as I know all replacement trunk floors are different than Skylark at the rear edge. You will need to modify them for Skylark use.
I replaced my floor buying a one piece unit that had the braces and everything with it, from Partsplace since they were close to me. The shop feathered it in at the back of the trunk as well as near the back seat since I had the fuel canister for emissions. I am proof that you have to modify the back and potentially the front of the floor to fit it but if the shop is any good (or you) it can be done. Mark 72 Skylark Custom from Chicagoland
I just replaced mine and I'm pretty sure the only available pan is chevelle it's not an exact fit. Some of the indentions will not line up correctly but mine turned out fine for a driver. After the splatter paint its pretty hard to tell. Just gotta heat it and beat it.
I'm dropping my Buick off on Friday at my buddies shop to start the last of the chassis work. There we can see how much trunk floor I need. Hopefully the braces underneath are fine. ~Scott
I replace mine with the 3 pc from NPD, fit great. Also see link below for more info: http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/TrunkPan.htm :Comp:
You may get away with just replacing the center section. You'll need to put a wire brush on a right angle grinder to find out. Sometimes they look good until you brush them.
you can buy just the part you need here http://www.opgi.com/skylark/1971/sheet-metal-body-panels/trunk-panels/PANMRCP/
The Chevelle ENTIRE trunk floor (about $700)(complete with braces, emission fitting hole, rear latch mount, etc) from NPD will work from the rear wheel well area back to where it 'kicks up' for the actual trunk latch mounting area. Once it starts the 'kick up', EVERYTHING changes. EVERYTHING!!! However the one piece sheet metal (get the US version) is what you need if your braces and the general area where the floor pan 'kicks up' for the latch is good; I would ASSUME that the 2 and 3 piece versions (US version) would be very good as well. I've used NPD's Chevelle pans for repairs on two of my cars with no complaints. And the entire floor pan for the seating area is the same on Chevelle and Skylark / GS. Their return policy is very fair also. ( Of course, it does help that I've spent several thousand dollars there, and only returned that one entire trunk floor the next weekend, and the salesman happens to have a 1970 GS 455 and 1987 Turbo Limited... ) You will need to get the 'drop-offs' that are specific for Buick's from another source, being as NPD doesn't carry parts specific to Buick's.
As has been mentioned, the 70 floor does not have the provision for the evap vent. The 71-72 Chevelle floor does. This applies only to the one piece, total replacement. You will have to trim the new floor at the rear to make it fit the Buick. About 6-8 inches of the Chevelle tail will have to be cut off. No big deal. If you plan correctly, the weld between the remaining portion of the Buick tail and the new panel will be over the area supported by the Buick rear crossmember/reinforcement attached to the bottom of the trunk floor, giving a weld invisible on both sides, once metal finishing is complete. The 3 piece kits leave a nasty edge on the underside of the trunk, at the forward kick up area, above the fuel tank and rear axle. Might not be a big deal for a driver, but not resto clean.
