Hey guys...fairly simple question here (I think). I need a full LH quarter for my '68 convertible, and I'm not willing to keep waiting around for Classic (or whoever) to finally come out with one. I also can't afford to snap up an ebay NOS quarter for the prices I've seen them go for!!

So...given that I have access to a capable bodyman, which is the better choice - a '68 Camaro convertible quarter panel, or a '68 Firebird Coupe panel?

The bodyman I know hasn't worked on a lot of firebirds before, but thinks it would be easier to go with the Firebird coupe panel and modify it (including cutting the drip moulding/railing off of my current panel and attaching it to the new quarter).

He wasn't sure (and neither was I) if there were other differences between the camaro and firebird panels, other than the obvious chevrons and marker light placement.

Any comments??

Oh and also...if I go with firebird coupe panel route, Classic advertises an OER full quarter for $379 (Part #7738877). Are these good? Seems like a pretty good deal.

Why do you need a full? Door jamb?

Take a look on my website to see how I used couple quarters on my convert. The quarter window sill is different between coup and convert so you need to save this piece too. Also, your convert probably won't have the jam vent that the hardtop does. Check these things out and then have your body man decide which is easier.

I am for keeping as much old metal as makes sense and if you've got to do a bunch of seam welding, you might as well go this route. If you really need to do the whole quarter, I'd lean toward the convert panel and graft in your old louvers.

Thanks...this car has been rear-ended at some point in its life and the quarter is damaged all the way from the back to in front of the wheel well. Whoever fixed it did a bad job and the bondo is cracking and falling apart.

The reason for going with a full quarter was because my bodyman says he always prefers using full quarters whenever possible.

Thanks for the note about the window sill, thats what I was looking for...I knew there was a difference between the coupe and the convertbile, I'll pass that info on and see what he thinks..

After I purchased skins for my 68 vert I found out that classic industries sells them. Part no 7741304 for $379.99 I believe is what you are after. Hope this helps as I would have rather had these than the skins.

Hey mncorey....I know those are listed but assumed that they were not actually available... unless somebody knows different?

you can use skins from your description! cost is about the same. you save in metal but pay for it in block and paint work. likewise you spend in metal and save in block and paint work. which can you afford now? skins are all you need if your description is correct! it will keep you out of the structural areas so you dont get into a hole you cant crawl out of! im doing the full rear half of my car and would god this route the next time i do this if i can. im doing both rear 1/4's trunk and wheelhouses. your probably going to need some trunk work if you were rear ended. ask your body guy what you need and where the damage is and chime back in here with the info.

You need to call CI to be sure. I "pre-bought" a set from them in 2003. I got tired of waiting and bought the couple quarters from a local vendor.

partials!!!! as ive read and have been told, the vert 1/4 is still in development! im told its closer but not ready yet!

I used NOS full HT quarters for my convetible. Their are some diffrences to be aware of but it can definatly be done. If your car was hit in the back then I would be concerned with what that did to the whole trunk are that it attaches to.

Hey guys...I forgot to mention that the damage to the quarter is also significant along the top (horizontal part) of the quarter panel next to the rear valance. I wasn't sure if skins actually wrapped around the top or not...

And yes, from the rear damage I will be replacing not only this quarter, but the tail panel and trunk lid as well. The RH quarter will need working, but my bodyman is sure that can be 'worked' without replacing and metal, as the damage on that side is minimal.

I'm passing all this info onto him...thanks!

I think you need more than a skin.

Here's my experience with the coupe quarters:
http://www.geocities.com/jims68fb/Quarter.html
and
http://www.geocities.com/jims68fb/Quarter2.html

pictures would be good! it would give us a better indication of the damage and we would be able to advise a bit better. if it was crunched hard, you will probably be in for more than the car may be worth!

I just had my convt quarters replaced several months back,here is a link to the pictures. I used the full convt camaro quarters with the louvers grafted in (butt welded) The Dynacorn/classic industries is on never ending hold from what I have been told. See the photo bucket link about 3/4 way down the page.

/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3994#Post3994

Thanks for the links and pictures! I will try to snap some pictures tonight of the damage on my quarter - its really not all that bad, and my 'bodyman' is actually a relative with 25 years experience who won't be charging me labour so I'm sure the job is well worth it :-). It's been awhile since he's worked on a firstgen firebird/camaro which is why I thought I'd help out by getting some advice from the forums!

Thanks again!

Mike: Your guy went to a lot of trouble to get those to fit right. You should be very happy. It looks like he even split the quarter down the jamb on the passenger side. It's sad that these newer convert quartes aren't any better than the hardtops.