NOS sheet metal prices

[Flowjoe]

I need some input form the members of the forum.  I haven't looked at NOS sheetmetal in about 6 years so I have no idea what the market is doing.  What sort fo prices are coupe quarter panels and standard front fenders fetching?  What about tail panels and front lower valances?  I see the kind of numbers Jim at Heartbeat City asks but find it a littel hard to believe that they are actually being purchased at those rates.  I should mention it is for a '69 coupe

[fiveforty]

The quarters seem to average about $2500 a pair. I've seen fenders from about $800 to $1300 each. Tail panels seem to be around $800 to $900. I know a local guy that has a pair of fenders and quarters, not sure what he wanted. If your interested let me know and I'll check.

[Flowjoe]

Thanks Fiveforty - Thats significantly less than heartbeat city...which is what I expected.  I  bought NOS fenders  in '98 (from the only person I could find who had them) and they cost $1500/pr  plus freight.  I looked at prices pretty hard in 2001when I bought a second pair but haven't really looked since.  I'll keep researching.

[JKZ27]

I payed $2600 for coupe quarters last year. They were still in the boxes.

John

[Flowjoe]

thanks JKZ27...input appreciated

[sam]

I like good used west coast sheetmetal. Original ALWAYS fits better and good used is always more affordable.  Sam

[fiveforty]

A set of 69 NOS fenders just  brought $1976 on ebay last nite but did not sell because they did not meet the reserve.

[sam]

TOO MUCH! in my opinion. A lot of newer NOS sheetmetal does not even fit that well. I still like good west coast, desert style used.  Sam

[Jerry@CHP]

Everyone is much better off with good used original sheet metal if you can find it. NOS is not always the best way to go.

Jerry 

[william]

I worked for a Camaro business [CPX] '83-'97. By the time 1st gen Camaro sheet metal went disco in the early '90s much of it fit like crap. We returned many '69 LH coupe quarters and '67 front fenders. At one point the '69 ducted hoods were so bad GM had to redo the tooling. You can still spot those from the era; they have much more 'curve' than the fenders. Even the stuff that fit was quite wavy; the last '69 fenders are easy to spot because the body line over the wheel well doesn't match up at the door. None of them fit nicely at the windshield trim. The last core supports were so wrinkled on top it was hard to place the tune-up sticker.

And it wasn't just sheetmetal. '67 'Camaro' fender emblems were twisted or bent and would break during installation; '69 'rally-sport' emblems were clearcoated without cleaning and were full of dirt. Order '69 Camaro 396 fender emblems and they would send '70 Nova emblems that weren't even close. Order '68 Z/28 rocker covers and they sent chromed '69s. The chrome on bumpers looked like bad silver paint; sometimes they would be missing some of the mounting holes. '68-'69 console doors were horrible; no pebble grain at all.

In general many servce parts fit and function but do not have the same appearance as OE. The '69 rear license plate holder is a good example; the service part has a different mounting bracket than OE and is easy to spot.

Yup, nothing like NOS.

[cjm465]

 
  In looking around at aftermarket sheetmetal, what is the best one to use that is out there. Quarter panels to be specific. The car I have won't be for show but for driving and weekly local cruise nights.

  I am also looking for any info ( Or The Original DZ-302 ) on a 1969 Z/28 X-77 Vin # 124379N586547 that anyone might have. The car is from the Buffalo area of Western New York.

[Mr12771]

William, did you work at CPX that was in Milwaukee, WI? I bought a lot of stuff from them.

Mike

[william]

Yup; that was me behind the counter Sat-Sun.

[Flowjoe]

Thanks for all of the input and offers to help locate sheet metal.  Actually, I was not looking to buy any NOS panels.  In 2001 I bought a bunch of of NOS sheet metal ( two std frnt fenders, RH coupe quarter panel, tail panel and front lower valance) as insurance for our two '69s or in case I built another one.  Based on the opinions expressed above maybe I made a mistake . 

So six years later and they are just sitting under my house ( I have a man high "crawl" space at one end) and I was considering selling them to make some storage room and take the money to help push forward on our '67 convertible and my '70 Z.  I didn't really know what price to ask (and couldn't or rather wouldn't believe the asking prices at Heartbeat) and  I did not want to make it look like a fishing expedition on the forum (especially since I am a little fuzzy on the selling of parts on the CRG forum - PY and NastyZ28 have specific places to sell and trade things).   So now I have a better idea of valuation in the real world and some very informative opinions on the qaulity and desirability of NOS sheetmetal.

To sam:  I hear what you are saying but I see a lot of rusty California cars right here in San Diego County (and a lot when I lived in the Bay area).  Certainly better than the rust belt or back home (Anchoarge, AK) but neglect and a lot of years are neglect and a lot of years even for cars coming out of the southern california desert.  Good used sheet metal is where ever you find it I suppose.

[bbd564]

I agree with what has been said about original sheetmetal being the best way to go.  Anyone want to offer some sources for getting some?  Thanks for the help