1969 Charger bodywork.

[crv]

Hi all, new here and already looking to pick your brains.
My question regards rear quarter panel repairs on '69 Chargers, what suppliers are reliable to put out good replacement panels?
I was checking this out this particular '69 which is for sale and it will obviously need a new panel:

With such a hard hit, is the frame likely to be bent?
Many project Chargers need these panels replaced due to rust, are there any other well known areas where these cars are prone to rust?
Thank you.

 

[wasco]

That car is in my area - I was wondering about that quarter panel myself. How does that happen? I was thinking of going to look, just to find out if he knew the story.

 

[crv]

That car is in my area - I was wondering about that quarter panel myself. How does that happen? I was thinking of going to look, just to find out if he knew the story.

Yes, that's correct. Saw it on craigslist.

 

[Car Nut]

aboard!

AMD - All Metal Direct has the best panels. Any more pictures?

 

[threewood]

Hi, and welcome to the site!

AMD is one of the top makers of replacement parts and body panels. You can buy direct or order through places such as Summit Racing. You can almost build an entire car from their parts.

Its possible the rear frame rail was tweaked but besides obvious buckling of the metal you would need to measure to be certain.

Areas to check for rust....lower rear window channel, sail panel area. Very common even in SW cars. Once this rusts through it will also rust out the trunk pan. Rear frame rails and front frame rails, cowl can rust from trapped debris. If the floor pans are rotted, the cowl is usually to blame. Door lower corners, trunk extensions , wheel houses, lower fenders, rear valance and corners. These are old cars so take your time and look top to bottom as they can rust everywhere.

That is a 69 so vin number is stamped on lower oil pan rail and transmission if he is claiming numbers matching. On the body, vin is located under trunk weatherstrip on lower, driver side and also on the radiator support.

 

[crv]

aboard!

AMD - All Metal Direct has the best panels. Any more pictures?

Try Spokane area on craigslist.

 

[Car Nut]

Looks good.

 

[4mulas]

How does that happen? .

A bottle of whiskey, dark skies, and a buddy egging you on.....

 

[mr. b]

welcome to FBBO looks like a nice project

 

[crv]

welcome to FBBO looks like a nice project

Cheers.
There are some fairly decent project cars out there, it's just a matter of finding the right one.

 

[threewood]

A bottle of whiskey, dark skies, and a buddy egging you on.....

I've seen the same type of damage happen when cars are banged around at a salvage yard.

 

[Dreamcatcher]

A lot of folks think AMD are best. I sure wouldn't want to hang a bad one then. I just installed 2 AMD quarters on a 68 charger. Let me tell you they fit like crap! There wavy where there stamped and even after there fit to the car they require a lot of body work. If your a body man at all you can install them. But there are fitment issues. I mean for the money you would expect better. I have used other brands as well (on other brands of cars) and didn't think they were better or worse. There all made over seas and quality is not job 1.

 

[crv]

So, are these aftermarket panels made in China or Mexico?, that really sucks.

 

[747mopar]

So, are these aftermarket panels made in China or Mexico?, that really sucks.

The R&D happened here in the states then the dies were shipped to China for manufacturing. Mine fit wonderfully and needed nearly zero bodywork, very pleased. However since buying mine when they were first offered I've heard some complaints??? Still the consensus is they are the best.

 

[eldubb440]

all these aftermarket panels are hit and miss..... expect some "dice and slice", and be happy if you don't have to

 

[Dreamcatcher]

Yeah I have to return my 2 front fenders because the holes for the marker lights are not centered on the body line like they should be. There off set so the marker sits lop sided. A pain to have to return to large items like that. Passengers side quarter was very close. Drivers side well there were not enough cuss words. The full floor pan was very nice.

 

[crv]

Makes me wonder if the poor workmanship started or got worse when the Chinese came into the picture, I've never seen anything of good quality that's made in China.

 

[747mopar]

Makes me wonder if the poor workmanship started or got worse when the Chinese came into the picture, I've never seen anything of good quality that's made in China.

My guess is they didn't take care of the tooling? Who knows.. if Trump gets the cost of doing business in the states down maybe we'll see some stuff come back?

 

[threewood]

AMD is still the best even though they are not perfect. I had to tweak panels to make them work but I was still happy they were reproduced otherwise I was having to fab quite a bit.

 

[moper]

AMDs are the best out there - but no aftermarket will equal NOS factory. I've installed a bunch of AMD stuff. For the most part the pieces fit decently, with minor work required to make them fit perfectly. I haven't had any issues with the stamping quality - I would say if someone did, they should have contacted AMD or their vendor and gotten a replacement. You don't install it if it's not made right. If you do, and it needs work, that's on the installer.

On that Charger - Looking at it quick I'd say the right rear rail was moved. At least that. It's still an easy fix - just have the car put on a rack and subframe alignment checked. If it needs pulling, have it pulled, then replace the quarter and anything else that it needs.