I am in the process of restoring a 1972 GS455 hardtop and need rear quarters for both sides. I have contacted Tabco & Sherman body parts and they are both out of stock and don't know when they will get some more (say they are on order, but can't give a date). The only place I have found that claim the have new repro quarters is a place called American Muscle (on eBay). Theirs are $130 more a piece than the others and says the have a 10 day lead time on them. Does anybody out there know these guys or dealt with them and are they reputable? Are their panels worth the extra $130 ea? Thanks for your input! John
Now if those are intended for the convert you show technically none are remade except for the hardtops which you could make work.
Your first choice should be some good used original quarters if you can find them. However, I'm not sure if you can use the full qp from a hardtop in the area that runs up and over to the sides of the decklid or if instead, when people use hardtop QPs on a convert, if all they can actually use is the "face" or skin portion of the QP. If it's possible to use most of the hardtop qp (obviously you will have a seam up top where you cut the QP off on it's way to the hardtop sail panel area) decent used qp's would be my first choice (or NOS if you really like spending the $$$) ..even if they needed some patching down in the usual spots. Remember, with the QP removed, you have easy access to all the usual spots that need rust patches put in so doing that is not as bad as doing it on the car. Also--I suspect, the detail in the stampings is not as well defined on Tabco's vs. originals so you may want to do some digging on this point also before you make a decision.
If I could find some OEM quarter panels that are not already rotted out as bad as what I have that would be great. Every shell I have come across is worse than what I have. I am on a budget and can not pay the huge amount that guys want for some of these panels. By the way, this is a hardtop project and not a convertible, so if anybody out there has a decent set of rear quarters that they don't want an arm & leg for and will ship to 63026, let me know. Thanks, John
what parts of a 4-door rear sheet metal work on 2-door I was just in a junk yard last week that has a '71 4-door skylark that has solid rear sheet metal(trunk pan, rear quarters, inner wheel wells, and catwalk). It was a garage keept car until about 5years ago when it got the front end smashed. (and yes, the grill is gone and the rad support got smashed on the left and rotted on the right with some bolted on repair . I got the right headlight bezel the only salvagable front end piece) Is the rear wheel opening the same? Is every thing behind the wheel the same? The the inner and outer wheel well?
yes the sheetmetal is the same- and if he doesnt want it, I do- I'll be flying to DC next week and i can zip right on up there with some tools and get to work real quick like.....pm me if this guy doesnt want the quarters...bryan
does mill supply have them? this will really bite as i was just needing panels myself will chevelle panels fit (im kidding dont get crazy)
Just read an article in the Feb 2007 (Car Craft Magazine) about quarter panel repairing on a 71 Buick GS Convertible. It mentions that Year One offers a full outer skin for GS hardtops. Don't know if this helps but you might want to view this edition. It also shows picture by picture replacement.
Saw that issue, and Year1 does not have any in stock either. Checked Mill Supply and they claim a 10 day lead time, but could not promise a delivery date either. Whats the deal? Is there only one company that makes these? Seems like the demand would be there to make a run. All I know is this is really slowing down my progress.
why dont we get a group purchase going on this thread and maybe get them to move along also try to get a discount or free shipping on this purchase unless jim wiese has some secret supplier:laugh:
Parts Place does not have drivers side, says probably a month or so. He told me that they all come from one place and are having a hard time stamping them
There is only one stamper for 70-72 Skylarks quarter skins [many suppliers]anyone who sells a 70-72 GS skin gets the part from the same stamper,people argue there is a 1st and 2nd quality [and may be true]but all come from the same mold.The company that stamps them also stamps sheetmetal for OEM current model parts and they are busy with large OEM orders and so they are not filling short run order parts for the resto business at this time.Call Sherman & Assicates and place a order for them as the more orders they have maybe they can talk them into making a run of them.FIGURES THAT WHEN WE GET OUTER WHEELHOUSES AVAILIBLE WE HAVE NO QUARTER SKINS.
AmericanMuscle on eBay replied back to me and says they are shipping quarter panels in 8-10 and processing an order to California now. Don't know much about them except they are charging $299 for each quarter instead of the $169 everyone else is charging. Claims they are better quality. I guess if they don't make any soon, may have to buck up and go this route
I'll bet when AmeicanMuscle has quarter skins availible the other suppliers will have them as well.[witnin a couple weeks]
Ther Was A Company Here In St.louis Called St.louis Auto Panel,they Used A Company Out Of Canada,cant Remember The Name,but Im Puting On A Set On A Customers 71 And There A Nice Fit,and Look Right. Sorry I Cant Help With That Name. Customd
Central Canada Industries in Windsor Ontario, has quarter skins, I have just recieved the drivers side which looks to be ok, however...the Pass side is backordered untill? I also got inner rear fenders and some floor pan pieces. I need the piece between the inner wheel house and the outer rear quarter skin for a 72 gs as well? I wasn't aware this was a separate part and I'm not sure what this part is called, a filler fender piece? Any ideas who has ? How about front floor pan for a 4 speed car? thanks Gord
