I know what you mean. It has been totally easier to work on everything with the engine out and frame off...lol As far as I know they are not Camaro Q panels. I believe they are original and if the light was good on that rear side you would be able to see a lot of bondo on it...lol My car was built in Cali and stayed out there until Feb of 2010, and I have had it ever since in NC. So it was in really good shape as far as rust goes and the body guys that are going to do all the body work and paint said it was one of the best they have seen out here. They always have one classic that they are working on in their shop, so I am guessing they have seen a lot of them. They are actually working on a true 69 Trans Am right now, which has almost been a year next month that they started on it. they completly stripped it and replaced the rear half of the car and are almost ready to paint it and then have to completly reassemble it. So, I figure I have about another 4 to 6 months before they get my car in. Sry I got off on a tangent!