Quarter Panel Debate.....

[69fourspd]

This topic gets asked a lot, but never seems to get any clear answers.  I have done a LOT of research looking for a good aftermarket quarter panel and am looking for personal experience advice. 

First off, all of the aftermarket quarter panels are NOT made by the same manufacturer.  I think every thread I have ever read anywhere states this somewhere in it.  I realize a few distributors carry the same panels, but all are not equal.  For instance - you can purchase panels made in Japan and USA(paddock), of 20 gauge and thinner gauges, with the tail marker hole cut out or solid...... Paddock sells two different kinds.  Has anyone seen the "OEM" USA 20 gauge panels?

The most common distributors I see are: Goodmark, Year One, Paddock, Auto Body Specialties, Shermans, Jacks, Charger Specialties, Laysons

I have a 69 charger and am hoping somebody could tell me if they purchased a panel within the past year.  How was the construction, fit... and where did you buy this from.  I would greatly appreciate any info you can give in regards to making a decision and am sure many others will too!

- Matt

[Carrnutt]

I used shermans, the only problem was i had to modify one of the marker holes. It was a tad short for the marker housing. Other than that they fit and looked great.

[Back N Black]

I used Year one, no issues.

[bill440rt]

I got mine from Auto Body Specialties. It is the "better" version like Goodmark & Y.O. sells, with the marker opening. I installed it similarly like Carrnutt did. Here are some photos of the RT 1/4 installed from this recent thread:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,19638.0.html

You can probably see other pics if you do a simple search. I thought it fit with no problem. Marker opening was good, & measures equally compared to the LT side.
BTW, I glued mine in all along the bottoms, & welded up on the sides & along the top. Made for a nice, easy, strong installation with less worries for future rust-through.

[69fourspd]

Thanks guys!  That is exactly what I needed to hear. I will let you know what I go with and how they turn out.  I am leaning toward Auto Body Specialties, since their prices seem to be the lowest.

[bill440rt]

Especially when you can pick one out by hand at a local swap meet! Shipping only costs gas $$ back home!
Good luck with your project.

[whitehatspecial]

Many years ago I used rear quarters by Auto Specialties. They fit great but there was a serious problem when it came time to put the wheel opening moldings back on. The contour of the wheel opening was so far off that I had to eliminate the moldings. Hopefully they've improved the quality since then.

[bill440rt]

Many years ago I used rear quarters by Auto Specialties. They fit great but there was a serious problem when it came time to put the wheel opening moldings back on. The contour of the wheel opening was so far off that I had to eliminate the moldings. Hopefully they've improved the quality since then.

I noticed that my original molding that came on the car did not fit the new repro 1/4. It may have been tweaked, as the original 1/4 panel was way rotted. I bought a replacement used one at a swap meet, and it fit just fine.

[bull]

Fit and finish is a big issue but I'm equally concerned about the quality of the metal as compared to the original stuff used 40 years ago. From what I understand the impurities (pot ash content) that got into the metal back then are partly responsible for the rust issues we have today. I'm guessing that by default the metal today is of much better quality and might therefore be more resistant to rust and corrosion.

Of course it's all moot in my case now that I have had all the rusty metal replaced on my car but I'd still be interested in knowing.