69' Charger Quarter Panel Skins:

[Captain D]

Hi fellas,

I'm interested in quarter skins, not full quarters (even though I would like to go that route). Below is a link for a pair of quarter panel skins for a 69' Charger:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120439211316&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I've been talking w/ this particular seller and they encouraged me to wait to purchase new ones that are about to come out next month from Auto Metal Direct. They said that they will be made from new tooling and which should provide for a better fit. However, they will be more $$.

But my question here is: Has anyone here purchased these current quarter panels? If so, how was the fitting? How were the body lines? Did you have to modify anything? And, any pictures by chance? I should note that I'm not trying to build a concours, but a real nice driver.

Thank you for any replies and feedback!
Aaron

[chargerkid01]

I used quarter skins and had no problem, but they came from yaer one. The seller you have on ebay is a great person to work with I just got my gas tank from them!

[green69rt]

I've heard good and bad about the quarter skins on this site, BUT everybody used to use them and there are a lot of nice cars out there with them.  Would we all like to use the full AMD quarters, of course but I'm going with the skins because I don't want to work with all the trunk bracing, sail pannel allignment, trunk gutter alignment, etc.  If AMD comes out with a skin that's even better, they are building a good rep for fit-up.  Just my opinion.

[Silver R/T]

I think I bought my quarter skin from him, not sure though. They're not too hard to put on if you've done body work before.

[Captain D]

Yeah, I agree, this seller is really fast in both communication and shipping. I suppose these would be okay for what I'm looking for. Besides, I've purchased some things from Goodmark and AMD and even they seemed like they had to be tweaked at times. So, if these are a great fitting product, then is it really worth laying out the extra $$ for the newer skins? Maybe they will be...especially when fitting is involved. I don't know and it's something to think over for sure.
Thank you again for any further replies and experiences,
Aaron

[Mike DC]

The Goodmark-made (but sold through YO and many others) quarter skins are inferior to any of the "full" quarters out now.  In both the metal quality and the fitment. 

I would consider using the Goodmark skins if I was doing a patch, like maybe just replacing everything south of the big bodyline on the side (the one below the door handle and above the wheelwells).  But if I was going above that line, I'd definitely go for the more expensive full panels. 

The Goodmark skins can be used but it's a question of the man-hours invested.  They don't even fit right against the doorjamb from the rockers up to the top.  They're literally like an inch off. 

[Captain D]

Thank you Mike,

If they're about an inch short of where they need to fit into the door-jambs, that's not good. If others have had this problem, how did they modify them to fit (since a lot of people have used these skins before)? If these have to be modified by the body shop, I agree, it might just make more sense to go w/ either the full quarters or the new AMD skins once they arrive. Especially not only that they're made w/ a better fitting and quality, but also I would probably break even if I had to pay the body man the extra labor to modify these anyway. Let's just hope that these new AMD skins will have a good fitting for their extra price...

* Update * - I called this *bay seller asking to see if I could find out more about the fitting, such as w/ regards to the door-jamb. He said that he has sold countless quarter skins (from Goodmark) and this was the first he has heard of the skins not fitting correctly into the door-jambs. But, what he said will be better from AMD is the quality of the metal and having the body lines match up better, but he said the fitting of the current skins compared to the AMD should be the same. Overall, he suggested that the new skins from AMD probably should be used as a quarter replacement whereas the current skins are best as patch pieces (due to the body lines). So, as far as he was concerned, the current skins and the new AMD skins will be the same fitment. He then encouraged me to call Goodmark to see if they have heard of any complaints as far as fitting goes. I called Goodmark, and they've never heard of them not fitting correctly. They've sold to Year One, etc...

So, if these 2 skins are the same fitment (Goodmark & AMD) are there any more experiences w/ regards to fittings, body lines, etc from those who have purchased from this seller/Goodmark to help me make a decision in a few weeks?

Thanks again!
Aaron

[roger440]

I put the goodmark skins on mine, but only becuase it was 4 years ago and i had no choice.

They could best be described as poor-ish. They are NOT a good fit, and the body line is hopeless. A good body man will make them work, as indeed countless people have done. They dont appear to be the right length, the R/H one in particular being a little too long.

If i was doing my car now, i wouldn't even contemplate them with AMD full quarters being available. The hours i put into the goodmark panels doesn't bear thinking about.

[hemi-hampton]

I'll have to agree with Roger440, After market skins suck, Fit like crap. Never tried a AMD or Ron Luscia's full 1/4 yet but from what I've heard they fit much better then the partial half skins. LEON.

[Mike DC]

The biggest fitment issue as they're delivered is the doorjamb curve. 

If you're looking at the car straight-on from the front or rear, the sides of the car tuck inwards at the bottom and bulge out in the middle.  Well, the repro quarter skins are too flat in that way.  You have to pie-cut the skin's doorjamb flange at the bodyline creases and bend the panel at the upper & lower edges against the doorjamb/rockers.   

Doing this is not that huge a deal in and of itself, but it's an example of how bad the entire panel's fitment is. 

[Captain D]

Thank you gents for taking the time to share your experiences; it will definitely help me to make a decision.  

To those General Lee experts - I just came across a website that shows the process of a Lee being restored: "The Lost General Lee." In the link below, you can clearly see them using rear quarter skins toward the bottom of the page. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know when this Lee was restored, what quarter skins did they use, and any stories (both positive & negative) of this particular Lee's quarter skins?

http://www.lostgenerallee.com/main_frameset.html

Thank you again for any replies,
All the best,
Aaron