1968 Newport quarter panels

[starwatcher67]

my first thread! I decided to put new quarterpanels and repair the wheel wells on my 1968 Newport convertible. As i live in Canada, sourcing used parts from the US is expensive, transport wise, and apparently no remanufactured items for these cars are available (correct me if i am wrong). So i decided to enlist the help of a professional and get the job done correctly. I tought this might be interesting for other members, so i decided to share this info. This process will take some time, as the shop is still busy with other jobs, but as of now the timeline looks as follows: Manufacturing of quarterpanles, November 17, installing January 2018.
Attached the pictures of the first step, taking measurements, in order to project a 3d shape onto a 2d panel. That is one huge piece of metal, by the way.....

 

[C Body Bob]

This will be interesting

 

[GJS]

Nice, man! Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Awesome ride, by the way!

 

[65sporty]

A good metal man will be able to knock this out.

 

[commando1]

Watching with incredible interest.

 

[barnfind]

Good stuff!!

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Where in Canada and who's doing the work?

 

[bulldogchesty]

I could use a set also.

 

[starwatcher67]

Where in Canada and who's doing the work?

Montreal area, multi marque carosserie, Ernesto

 

[starwatcher67]

Just to give a quick update, here the famous "before" pictures. actually i had a guy doing the panel repair, but after opening the mess it he bailed.
In hindsight i apprechiate his openness that he was over his head on this project

 

[starwatcher67]

Just to humour you, here the comment from the first guy, who, after opening up, he figured out that is is beyond his capabilities. (by the way, if that ever happens to you, do no be upset, be happy that someone will figure out what he can do, or cannot do, instead of butchering and messing his way out)

"I barely slept last night....
Up early this morning, looking online for full quarters and inner wheel wells...they do not exist, obsolete!
The inner rear fenders, the part that the wheel cover goes on, is in horrible condition, it is mostly all behond repair...nothing is good anymore, no reference points are left.
It was repaired before, badly....its welded with brass, And I cannot weld MIG on BRASS...everything has to be cut out...and they welded the quarter panel to the inner wheel well..OMG!
Wish I could go back...and not have touched this thing...and the other side is just as bad...

The rear of your car is complitely destroyed...hate to say it, but I know what I'm seeing...and fitting the wheel cover back on is correctly will be close to impossible.
Do you have a lot invested in this?

My best advise, is to sell it...for parts, or to someone that has a donor car in better condition...do not invest in this...without replacement parts, it is unfixable...
I just keep cutting, and it just gets worse...there is no end to it, nothing good at all left from the door to the rear bumper....

I can reweld it all back as fast as I can, and repaint this section...make it look ok...

I would sell the car....try to brake even...we all take a loss on cars...this is way beyond repair without good fitting parts...it can be done, but will cost much much more than having the right parts...and winter is coming...fast...I did not expect this...not even close!
If I did, I would not have touched it....because, it all just fell apart....

 

[live4theking]

That is brutal honesty from his skill level point.

Have you checked with azblackhemi about quarter. I know he's in the states, but it might be less than all of the labor to have new panels created from scratch.

I'll be watching with great interest.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

I live in Ontario Canada - home of hidden rust. I had full quarters shipped to a Buffalo drop ship wharehouse from Desert Valley in Arizona. WAY cheaper than fabrication. Nearly perfect rust free stuff.

 

[starwatcher67]

That is brutal honesty from his skill level point.

Have you checked with azblackhemi about quarter. I know he's in the states, but it might be less than all of the labor to have new panels created from scratch.

I'll be watching with great interest.

Basically i have a complete deal, producing the panels + installing & painting. Anything involved in shipping charges for big items like this will most likely turn out more exensive. But thanks for the tip!

 

[starwatcher67]

I live in Ontario Canada - home of hidden rust. I had full quarters shipped to a Buffalo drop ship wharehouse from Desert Valley in Arizona. WAY cheaper than fabrication. Nearly perfect rust free stuff.

If I may ask, how much did it cost you, quarters plus shipping??

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

1/4s were $1500 shipping was $350

 

[starwatcher67]

1/4s were $1500 shipping was $350

so we are talking 1850 us, which is like 2350 canadian??

 

[starwatcher67]

I could use a set also.

How much is the going rate for a set, just the outer panel??

 

[starwatcher67]

Nice, man! Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Awesome ride, by the way!

Thanks for the compliment! yes, riding in that car balances the hassle to get it nice.

 

[starwatcher67]

Thanks for the compliment! yes, riding in that car balances the hassle to get it nice.

Right side of road Vermont, left side of road Quebec