88 Trunk Interior

[jwood1213]

Hi all,

I’m in the middle of restoring an 88 SS, and I’m looking to replace the part of the trunk that the lid closes in front of. I’ve heard people call it the rear body panel or the taillight panel. I’ll attach a picture, but I also want to replace the metal lip that is under the trunk‘s weather seal. There are a few Regals at a junkyard near me, but I‘m not sure if the trunk area is the same on both cars. I assume they arent, as the Buick‘s taillights are horizontal. I’ve checked with both Dixie Resto and Mike’s Monte’s, but they unfortunately do not make reproductions of the area. If anyone here can point me in the right direction, that’d be great. The picture below isn’t my car, just found it on google images because it has the area that I’m talking about. Thanks.

 

[pagrunt]

That'll have to be salvaged from another '81-'88 Monte Carlo. Shame it wasn't a '78-'80 Regal cause I have one taking up space in the garage.

 

[jwood1213]

That'll have to be salvaged from another '81-'88 Monte Carlo. Shame it wasn't a '78-'80 Regal cause I have one taking up space in the garage.

Thought so, just my luck haha. I found an 85 Monte a few towns over but no cigar. The frames gone, doors are gone and don’t open, floor is gone, but surprisingly the area I need looks like it was replaced last week.

 

[black_aerocoupe]

Hey, good luck with the project.
Since I have seen a few 81-88 with quarter panels replaced, I will friendly-suggest you check the fitment between the taillight housing and quarter and this panel before you tear-down. And when it is coming back together, use the taillight bucket to test the fitment of quarter to tail panel. Sometimes they are overlapped or underlapped, which impacts taillight fitment.
I haven't gone 'yarding in a few years, so I don't know if I can help source anything.

 

[jwood1213]

Hey, good luck with the project.
Since I have seen a few 81-88 with quarter panels replaced, I will friendly-suggest you check the fitment between the taillight housing and quarter and this panel before you tear-down. And when it is coming back together, use the taillight bucket to test the fitment of quarter to tail panel. Sometimes they are overlapped or underlapped, which impacts taillight fitment.
I haven't gone 'yarding in a few years, so I don't know if I can help source anything.

Thank you. I should probably make a build thread but I’ll just send them here. I got the car in 2018, and it’s closer to being done than not done fortunately. I got the fenders, doors etc sanded down, new quarters (1 of which was an original Chevy panel) and just need the tail panel before the cars painted. I think I found one, will post an update in a couple weeks if I get it.

 

[SS_Malibu]

What size are your rims and tires? I've been looking at chrome IROC's for my Malibu.

 

[jwood1213]

What size are your rims and tires? I've been looking at chrome IROC's for my Malibu.

The rims are 17s but I’m not sure about the tires, I think they’re 285? Maybe 275

 

[jwood1213]

What size are your rims and tires? I've been looking at chrome IROC's for my Malibu.

Actually i think they’re either 225’s or 235’s. I don’t remember the 3rd measurement. They are 17’s though

 

[SS_Malibu]

I can only find Chrome IROC's in 16's, 18's and 20's. 20's are too big. I'm thinking 16's or 18's. Leaning towards 18's for tire choice. Still need more research. It's still a down the road project.

 

[jwood1213]

I can only find Chrome IROC's in 16's, 18's and 20's. 20's are too big. I'm thinking 16's or 18's. Leaning towards 18's for tire choice. Still need more research. It's still a down the road project.

I’d recommend the 16’s. The 17’s rub on the front sway bar, but it might just be the specific width of the repro rims. They’re not real irocs, they were made by American Racing but I don’t think they’re produced anymore unfortunately. They’re posted on summit but aren’t in stock there either

https://www.summitracing.com/search...ne/american-racing-iroc-replica-chrome-wheels