I have a 65 coupe. It has been hit in the side at one time and the owner put a 63 swc door on it. The door was 1/2 inch shorter horizontaly along the beauty line. He had to fill in the gaps so he put a 1/3 inch bondo along the front gap on the front fender. Ok, I can understand you gotta do what you have to do sometimes. That door fit, however since it was hit in the proximity of the pillar cover of the birdcage on the quarterpanel he had to gouge and I really mean gouge the holes where the striker mounts to get the door to close right. I could see that.
I ordered all correct panels and rear 1/2 deck to make this car right again. I also ordered a new lock pillar cover for the drivers side. I put a new door on in place of the 63 door. I finally figured out what the last owner did and sanded all the bondo out and it fit. BUT, it wouldn't shut all the way. I removed the weatherstrip and with the top gap and b pillar part of the door correct the quarterpanel is still off 1/4 inch. The rear of the door is still short of closing. I have to push really hard to get the door flush.
I have removed the other quarterpanel on the other side of the car and cleaned up the lock pillar cover and quarterpanel bonding strips so I can clearly see how it's suppost to look on the other side. Bubba aparently fabbed up the quarter panel front splash shield(The one that's 3 inches away from the pillar cover)
The birdcage doesn't look tweeked, rusted or welded on where it connects but I have a feeling that's where it got hit.
Ok here goes the question. Looking at the passenger side the lock pillar cover is 1/8 lower and parallel to the rear edge of the door. That way when the skin goes on it will be flush and correct. SHould I position the drivers side the exact same way even if I have to fudge it? It requires 4 rivets and it seems to look better if you put the hump on the outside instead of stratleing that tab. People that have done this will know what I am talking about. Once i get that locked in place then refab bubbas next piece level with the first one. I do not want to gouge out my new piece to make the door look fairly good.
I know dub and porchdog have been in this spot before. Can anyone help? thanks bob
Gosh I WANT to help Bob.
Using the thickness of the new striker panel as a gauge. CAN you install your door striker ( even if you use a section of your old striker panel) and get your door to close?
I guess that when you are using "fender" in your description...you really mean quarter panel? For me fenders are in the front.... quarters are in the rear. Concentrating on your written description throws me off and I get confused on what parts you have off and such. Not trying to pick at you...by no means...but if you want to call it a fender.that is fine....just use teh word "rear" before it so I know. You also mentioned the "deck panel". Please clarify what panel this is...because I do not know of a deck panel for a coupe...I do for the convertibles ..but to the best of my knowledge...the roof and upper quarter panel area is one panel for the coupes.
Good photo's would be great...eventhough your description was good....photo's can help alot.
As for adjusting your new striker panel...it should go where it goes ...with out any modifying. BUT knowing that you said that it was hit in that area...I would look carefully at the body mount (#3) in front of the rear wheel for possible damage...and also the rivets that secure the body to the metal lock plate panel that runs from side to side (behind your seats) where it is riveted.
It sounds like...from your description that the striker post may have an issue with it...being pushed in or tweaked a bit. That is why I mentioned the metal panel behind your seats.
I really need photo's so I can see what you see.
"DUB"
Can you give me an email to send the pictures to? Sorry about the "quarter panel". The deck I am talking about is the coupe deck. I am going to replace from the vents back. The rear half. In his attempt to fix the car, he sectioned pieces together and the repair broadcast through. Oh, he tried and succeeded in putting an extra gas filler opening on the back and cut a hole in the corner of the fueltank. Then he glassed over it. I replaced the tank already. I'm getting delerious looking at it and worrying. I think I was trying to get the door shut when the Quarterpanel was in to far and I was overshuting it. I can send pictures tonight.
Corvette Store
replacement of rear quarter
Once i get that locked in place then refab bubbas next piece level with the first one. I do not want to gouge out my new piece to make the door look fairly good.
