Need some advice from a body-man

[lvngded]

So here is the damage on the project car I bought. I can handle replacing the quarter extension, but have no idea what to do about the crinkled area by the trunk. Any idea, suggestions, or advice would be wonderful and very appreciated.

 

[LS1GN]

Looks like someone has worked on it previously. Is there a lot of filler in the back of the quarter? If it were me I'd try to find a salvage one to cut up, a whole replacement section. I know that might be hard. The GPs seem to be the most rare of the G bodies.

Sorry 🙁

 

[81Regal]

I would also cut out the whole panel and replace it.

 

[LS1GN]

Okay - I am carefully looking at your first pic. It appears that the wheel well and the 1/4 have separated - there should be no gap there. It was hit harder than I thought. Is the frame straight?

 

[suffrn6]

That looks like it took quite a hit to fold the inner panel and quarter panel the way it did. It looks like someone has already tried to repair the damage with a lot of bodyfill. The first thing you should do is remove the bumper, taillight, lic. plate and bracket to get a better look at the damage. If you get it all off take some more pics and post them up and you should be able to get some advice on fixing it.
From the look of the pics posted it looks like it would be easier to replace the quarter and rear trunk panel, unless you can do all the repairs yourself or find a good bodyman to repair it for you.

Chris

 

[suffrn6]

Couple more questions for you. Is the trunk floor damaged and shoved in too? What kind of shape is the rest of the car in?
Without replacing all the damaged panels it is going to be quite a big job to get everything straightened and lined up. I'm not trying to discourage you from fixing it. Just saying that it is going to be a big job and could be a headache later on down the road with water leaks and panels not lining up properly.

Chris

 

[lvngded]

Thanks guys. Okay, to answer some of the questions. The frame is straight, and the trunk still closes. As for removing / cutting out the rear panel. I currently have an 85 GP that I drive everyday, but the lower half of the car is rusted to hell, trunk has a forearm sized hole in the pan etc. So it's becoming a parts car. I don't know if these will help, but here are some shots of under the car.

 

[lvngded]

I almost seems to me that the car took a hit from something on the taller side while the trunk was opened. I've never seen damage like this before. What looks like speration is the lower filler panel and the 1/4 extension being bent and not put on properly. Again, I'm not sure exactly how to look at this.

 

[suffrn6]

From the look of the inside of the quarter panel with all the holes that the bondo is squeezing thru you are going to want to replace the panel. If it was me I would cut the quarter and rear trunk panel off the parts car and put them on the project car. Not a hard job, the biggest part of this job would be drilling out all the factory spot welds. Make sure you have the panels lined up before you start to weld them back on.

Chris

 

[gp02a0083]

if your gonna drill out the spot welds , get a good bit, i used to order a dozen or so of these every week at the body shop