Back in the early '80s, when we had hair bands and I had hair, I was with a bunch of guys who were working on a '69 Camaro. New quarters were being fitted in place with a new GM tail panel. My buddy turned to me and said, "The Chevy dealer told me this is the last tailpanel I'll be able to get because GM is no longer making them."
Stunned at the enormity of the impact of that statement, I remember thinking that I might be watching one of the last Camaros to ever be properly restored.
Suffice it to say, my fears were unfounded. Not only is new sheetmetal readily available for most of the popular Chevy muscle cars, it is now at the point where high quality parts, equal to OEM quality and crispness in every way, are available. Project American Heroes III, the '70 Chevelle that is being constructed at Route 66 Motorsports in New Lenox, Illinois, is a major benefactor of said high quality sheetmetal thanks to the willingness and generosity of National Parts Depot (NPD) to be involved as a major sponsor of the 2009 PAH fundraiser for the Armed Forces Foundation.
Nick Jelinek uses the plasma cutter to sever the old quarter-panels from the PAH III Cheve
National Parts Depot offers a full line of parts for Chevelles, Camaros, Novas, and other Brand X cars, and trucks. Its easy-to-navigate, highly informative website offers complete access to online ordering, making every page of every catalog a matter of a few clicks on the mouse. Because of NPD's numerous locations across the fruited plain, delivery is quick and reasonable.
The highly trained and talented crew at Route 66 Motorsports had the new sheetmetal mocked up within a matter of days after receiving it, as the guys set to fine tune the new panels into perfect harmony with each other. Follow along as the Project American Heroes '70 Chevelle takes shape.
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Within minutes, the old quarter-panel is removed from the body shell.
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Lines are again laid out prior to firing up the plasma cutter. Rather than disturb the fac
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The inner wheelhouse is removed from the body.
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Although most people would never see this retention of the original metal, the benefits in
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NPD offers new wheelhouses that are exact reproductions of the factory piece. Since the OE
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The wheelhouse is fitted, clamped in place, and welded to the body.
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NPD also offers OEM-style full factory quarters like this one that is fitted to the factor
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Kevin Rock works to install hinges to the new reproduction door shell. Both hinges and doo
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Nick and Kevin install the new door to the body while leaving the hinges snug to allow for
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Note the holes punched for welding along the edge of the quarter, and the new striker inst
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The driver's side is next, as Nick and Kevin work together to fit the new OEM-style quarte
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Hanging the door is definitely a two man job.
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Then we were off to the front of the Chevelle. The old frame mount brace is removed from t
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The radiator support brace receives a cleanup at the mounting points, but will later be bl
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The new radiator support is mocked up against the frame ends prior to installation.
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The original brace and new reproduction radiator support are installed and snugged in anti
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The days of hunting for NOS fenders at outrageous prices are over. Brand new fenders from
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Great pains are taken to fit the quarters, doors, and fenders. When satisfied, Kevin tight