I purchased my 72 skylark and the only area that it has rust is between the back window and trunk. Does anybody know the best way to replace this area? I looked for a replacement piece at original parts, but they said they don't carry replacements for these years. If anybody has pictures it would help greatly! Thanks in advance.
I know there's multiple threads on here about this "rear filler panel". Someone did an extensive step by step with pics I think. This piece is available I believe from multiple sources. Someone more familiar with 70-72's will chime in I'm sure.
Make contact with Mark Reeves at Then and Now Restorations. I'm just finishing the same job on my '71. Car is actually ready for paint. He has access to a very nice reproduction piece, same steel gauge as original. I can tell you the fit is like a silk glove. One piece, as factory produced it. Front lip of trunk opening to rear shelf turn down, inside the glass. Seam to seam across the back of the car. Money well spent.
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=90010 Here are some shots of that job being done on Rob Burks 70 GS
Mike, that's a great link. I thought mine was the only one rotted out under the filler panel. Its got lots of rust in very unusual places. Those pics give me hope.
You might get lucky with it. Mine wasn't as bad as those in the link. The lower panel was pristine. We coated it with a 2 part primer as added insurance. Study the new panel when you get it & you can learn a lot about how they were put together. We sacrificed the old valance panel to save the piece on the underside. Job can look quite difficult but one day & one step at a time makes it go relatively easy.
Steve i order my piece yesterday, but could you give me a description on how you went about replacing yours. Did you cut out the spot welds or did you just cut the piece out. Mine is not that bad but, i'm sure it will be the same process. Thanks
Rub some sand paper all around the edges of the piece, makes spotting the welds easier. Drilled them out with a spot-weld cutter. Along the forward edge of the trunk opening & the lower edge of the rear window can be done from above. There are more welds on the RH & LH ends where the piece turns down & joins the quarter panel. We cut the top off the old valance to gain access to these welds. Time consuming & a few skinned knuckles but one step at a time. Be careful cutting the top off the valance. Towards the sides you will find a piece of the lower structure is very close to the underside of it. You can tell where by looking inside the trunk. Simple job if you have the patience since it's a lot of repetition. Good set-up for tools & more patience. Don't be in a hurry, don't expect to get it all off in one attempt. As Ian stated, work a bit, take a break.
Thanks Steve. That is exactly what i needed. I hope to get the part this week. I'll try and take alot of pictures to post. Thanks everyone!
