Body Panels

[N PRGRES]

Need a new left front fender for the TA, it any one repop company better than another?

[tinpusher]

I used one from OER…. Complete junk, didn’t have the body line along the bottom middle causing the fender to bulge out. Pay extra and find a good used replacement. A few of them on Dallas CL.

[Oldsschool79]

I used Goodmark. The fit was good but a bit more money.

[5th T/A]

Need a new left front fender for the TA, it any one repop company better than another?

I have heard most repo sheet metal parts are not up to OEM standards. This was pointed out to me by a shop that restores cars. I think maybe a good use panel would be your best bet. One of the problems with a used panel is finding someone you can trust, then shipping expense and shipping without damage. I see you are in Ohio, if you can wait until summer, you could likely find one at the TA nationals. You could post a request on TAC or one of the other sites to see if someone relatively local to you has one within driving distance, where you can see the part in person.

[N PRGRES]

Thanks, I guess that was my concern, if it would fit correctly.  Getting one off CL or something is a concern on shipping. I prefer not to wait till summer  although it’s been damaged this long, another few months won’t kill me I suppose.  I was hoping to have it repaired by the time for the Pontiac nats in June.

[roadking77]

Good luck. I too would try to get a good used one. Have you tried Franks in twenty nine palms? I have bought quite a bit of small stuff from them and they have always been very good to deal with. I just looked and they have a couple of nice looking ones for under $300. The firebird fenders are a bit cheaper but you would need to graft in your side vent. If what you are looking for is listed as sold, send them an email and tell them what you need. The website is pretty specific and says what we have is what is listed and not to ask. But I have sent them emails before looking for parts that they did not show and they responded with no problem. Original is always better.

[N PRGRES]

Good luck. I too would try to get a good used one. Have you tried Franks in twenty nine palms? I have bought quite a bit of small stuff from them and they have always been very good to deal with. I just looked and they have a couple of nice looking ones for under $300. The firebird fenders are a bit cheaper but you would need to graft in your side vent. If what you are looking for is listed as sold, send them an email and tell them what you need. The website is pretty specific and says what we have is what is listed and not to ask. But I have sent them emails before looking for parts that they did not show and they responded with no problem. Original is always better.

I have always had good luck with them as well and actually have an email in to them at the moment for a shipping cost.  They have a firebird fender with a scoop added that's been there for awhile, so I am hoping maybe they cut a deal to make the shipping less intense. 

[roadking77]

I hope that works out. I am on the correct side of the country and opposite from Franks. I hesitated ordering anything from them as I figure shipping would be prohibitive. First time I ordered I called them directly and spoke to a lady in the office who could not have been friendlier. Again, the site seems a bit restrictive when they say if you dont see it we dont have it kind of thing, but there were some oddball parts I was looking for. I sent an email asking IF they ever come across something etc. I got an immediate response back that they had the parts I was looking for. Shipping across the country was only a couple of days as well.

[N PRGRES]

As I suspected, shipping was insane but appreciated the guy letting me know

[roadking77]

Out of curiosity what is 'insane' shipping price?
Something to consider is if you buy a brand new piece from goodmark or such, they will most likely charge a premium to ship as well, just saying.

[N PRGRES]

$500-$700.  I can get a fender from summit racing and just pick it up for no shipping, but I am going to look for a used one

[roadking77]

Yikes, that sounds pretty high. Hope you can find something decent a bit closer.

[N PRGRES]

Finding a solid fender that doesn't need work in this area is looking to be tough and shipping one is nuts.  Since Summit racing is 30 minutes from me and they sell aftermarket fenders, I'll go that route since if its crap, I can take it back without incurring crazy shipping costs

[roadking77]

I dont think it will be all that bad, but it may require a little work to make it fit correctly. Then again a used fender is going to be a lot of work as well to put it into a good condition. Let us know how the new one works out.

[N PRGRES]

I dont think it will be all that bad, but it may require a little work to make it fit correctly. Then again a used fender is going to be a lot of work as well to put it into a good condition. Let us know how the new one works out.

Agree, a 40 something year old fender has it's own set of issues.  As always I'll keep you guys updated.

[Wallington]

X2 a panel shop may prefer a used 'good' condition panel over a repro panel, they can certainly be very rough. What they don't account for is cost to source and ship, so may be less work, and money getting them to work on them repro. Just gotta work out where the money is going and end result.