Has Anyone Purchased AMD Sheetmetal Yet?

MM1R/T · November 10, 2007, 11:29:28 AM

I know that the 1/4's and fenders are a ways off yet, but I've been eyeballin' that Dutchman panel they advertise.

Some of the previous repro's left a lot to be desired regarding accuracy and I'm hoping that AMD are going to be the ones to finally get this right.

Troy · November 10, 2007, 12:16:14 PM

We have a group buy set up through Gunslinger for these panels and I know several members have purchased them. I have seen all of them but not where I can compare them to an original. The tail panels and dutchman panel look really good in my opinion but if they were 1/2" too short I wouldn't have been able to tell. Here's some pictures from someone who has used them though:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,31396.0.html

Troy

MM1R/T · November 11, 2007, 12:40:43 PM

Thanks, Troy. I don't need a taillight panel, but it sounds like a quality piece.

Hopefully the fit and quality will be consistent on all of their parts. I hate being a Guinea Pig, though.

Troy · November 11, 2007, 01:47:42 PM

Assuming they put the same amount of effort into everything...

I don't know of anyone who has actually installed the Dutchman panel but the previously available repro was pretty much junk. The AMD piece looks awesome but, thankfully, I don't need one on any of my cars. Well, maybe I do but only part of it so it still wouldn't do any good to comment on that installation. Maybe you can be the group's guinea pig?

Troy

MM1R/T · November 11, 2007, 03:57:08 PM

It's probably going to be sometime in the Spring before I get into that phase of the project. If no one else here has installed one by then, I will take lots of pics and post them here.

69Charger_440 · November 11, 2007, 10:56:42 PM

More than likely I will be buying the dutchman panel tomorrow from that sale that is going on right now. The replacement filler panel I bought from Year One was a POS. $100.00 down the drain.

I guess I will have to be the guinea pig for this one. I'll be crossing my fingers and praying this one will fit right. I don't want to spend close to $300.00 for a part that won't fit right. I'll post the results ASAP.

Fernando

69Charger_440 · November 14, 2007, 05:08:49 PM

Just for info. I went ahead and took the plunge and I bought the dutchman panel for $270.00 plus shipping. I spoke with Jason, who seems to be a very nice guy, and I voiced my concern about any fitment issues that I may have if I bought the panel. He said that he would refund my money if I had any issues. He also said he sold a couple in Carlisle (??) and three guys said it fit, and they had no problems. He further stated that he has sold quite a few, and no one has called back complaining. Hopefully everything will go well, and it will fit great. I'll keep you guys and gals posted.

Fernando

69Charger_440 · November 24, 2007, 10:11:16 PM

Just for info, guys and gals, I recently bought and received the Filler Panel, from the Gunslinger Sale, for my '69 Charger, and as of now it isn't good news. The part appears to be about 3/8 of an inch off. The replacement panel from Year One was a better fit, but also not perfect. I am going to have to remeasure and go over every inch of the filler panel area to make sure it isn't my car that is off (tweaked, etc..) So for those who are waiting to buy, I would say buy at your own risk. I am going to come back on here AFTER I remeasure and go over every inch of that area, and I will let you all know whether it was my mistake or the filler panel is the one that is off. Just thought I'd let you know. Not bashing AMD or anything, just updating what I have now.

Fernando

JimShine · November 24, 2007, 10:56:10 PM

If you have a chance, take some measurements and send them to me in PM's. I have a removed stock dutchman panel and a '69 parts car with a solid stock dutchman panel I can compare the measurements too.

MM1R/T · November 26, 2007, 11:45:42 AM

Whatever you guys come up with, please share with the rest of us.

My '68 needs this piece replaced, and any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

69Charger_440 · November 26, 2007, 05:50:49 PM

Yes, I will keep you all informed. I recently moved, and I don't have readily available access to a computer so this is only the second time I have come on here since I have moved. However, I will post the results as soon as I can.

Fernando

69Charger_440 · December 26, 2007, 09:18:23 PM

O.k. here are some pics of the dutchman panel I bought off of the Gunslinger sale although they aren't the best. I tried to do the best I could with the point-and-shoot digital camera I have. The widest gaps are on the driver's side. The one pic that is circled is an edge that will be grinded down or cut so that the filler panel can be moved over as much as possible to lessen the gap on the driver's side. Of course that means that the passenger side will have a little wider gap. At this point I will let the pics do the talking. If you all decide that the filler panel I bought is off, so be it. If some of you decide that it is my car that is off, so be it. All I know is that I will have to work with this one. Hope this helps some of you.

Fernando

69Charger_440 · December 26, 2007, 09:19:45 PM

some more...

69Charger_440 · December 26, 2007, 09:20:49 PM

last two...

69charger2002 · December 26, 2007, 09:40:43 PM

looks like quite a bit of work there.. whew. glad it isn't me
trav

Charger-Bodie · December 26, 2007, 09:54:46 PM

have either of the 1/4 panels been replaced before? tin the pic showing the lt side of the window opening it looks like plug welded holes???

69Charger_440 · December 26, 2007, 10:18:38 PM

Quote from: 1hot68 on December 26, 2007, 09:54:46 PM
have either of the 1/4 panels been replaced before? tin the pic showing the lt side of the window opening it looks like plug welded holes???

To be honest, I am not sure. While I have owned it, no. Previous owner, I am not sure.

69Charger_440 · December 26, 2007, 10:26:47 PM

Quote from: 69Charger_440 on December 26, 2007, 10:18:38 PM
Quote from: 1hot68 on December 26, 2007, 09:54:46 PM
have either of the 1/4 panels been replaced before? tin the pic showing the lt side of the window opening it looks like plug welded holes???

To be honest, I am not sure. While I have owned it, no. Previous owner, I am not sure.

Forgot to add that I measured the dutchman panel area from the car that is getting worked on to my other '69, and they are virtually identical. This has really thrown me for a loop, but like I said, this one will have to do.

fastback · December 27, 2007, 10:30:13 AM

What is the overall width of your new panel?
Do you know the width of your original panel?
That seam is filled in seam sealer, so it should not look as bad finished off as what your pictures show.

69Charger_440 · December 27, 2007, 03:31:03 PM

Quote from: fastback on December 27, 2007, 10:30:13 AM
What is the overall width of your new panel?
Do you know the width of your original panel?
That seam is filled in seam sealer, so it should not look as bad finished off as what your pictures show.

I haven't measured both the old and new one, but when I get a chance I will measure and give you the numbers if you are interested. It shouldn't be too bad. We can definitely make it work. Where there is a will, there is a way!!

Fernando

MM1R/T · January 01, 2008, 01:25:08 PM

Fernando:

Yes, please post those measurements when you get a chance.

Given that these cars are 40 years old now, and they've been driven hard, rusted and wrecked I'm sure that there are variations in many body dimensions from car to car.

Thanks for the great pics and descriptions!

ChargerSG · January 06, 2008, 04:59:00 PM

How as it gone with the Quarter?

69Charger_440 · April 14, 2008, 10:12:53 PM

To those who are still interested concerning the info on the filler panel, which I purchased from the Gunslinger sale, I have some updated photos. If some of you remember, my brother, who is doing some of the body work on the car, found the problem which was causing the wide gaps as seen in the earlier photos of this thread. It turns out that the filler panel itself is about as close as you can get to an original. The cause of the problem was the replacement sail panels that I bought from Year One. My brother had to tweak them and as you can see from the photos, the panel fits much better. A big thank you to my brother because without him I would be totally lost on this project car.

So far the things that he has replaced are as follows: He replaced the roof skin, worked on the front cowl that had rust issues, and is now working on the filler panel and back window area. Next, he will tackle the lower quarter panels. After that, I am going to try and tackle the trunk floor and tail panel. After that, it will be some mechanical issues that need to be addressed such as removing and replacing the gas tank. We will also be going over the brakes and the old 8 & 3/4 has a leak, so that will also need some attention. As of right now, I plan to go back to its original color, which is Q5. I will also go ahead and put the vinyl back on, as the car originally came with it. Unfortunately I do not have the funds to give this car a ground up restification or whatever you want to call it. I just want to get it road worthy so I can enjoy it. Seems like everyone else is having fun with their car except me.

Anyhow, I'll update as I go on another thread.

P.S. I hope this cleared up any issues with the filler panel. I never slammed AMD's product, and I think I, or really my brother, gave an honest assessment of the panel, which again turned out to be pretty damn good.

Fernando

69Charger_440 · April 14, 2008, 10:17:04 PM

some more...

69Charger_440 · April 14, 2008, 10:18:37 PM

last ones...

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