Guys and gals, had a fender-bender this past weekend and will need to rebuild the front-end, to include both QPs, 400-Hood, bumper, etc. Since insurance is covering it, need opinions on best place to get those parts. Fire away! I got the hood from Tamraz many years ago and was pretty satisfied with that skin.

That sucks...!

I'm an insurance appraiser. Are you doing the repairs yourself? Or are you having a body shop do the repairs?

I ask because it makes all the difference in the world. The remainder of my comments will assume you are having the work done for you.

Your #1 priority is finding a quality body shop that has experience in resto work. This will not be a routine collision repair for any shop, particularly when it comes to the parts issue.

Almost all repro parts will need substantial "shaping" to get them to all line up properly. You need a shop that understands this, and an insurance company that understands this. And then, IMO, you need to let the shop and the insurance company choose your parts source.

If THEY choose the parts, then you are completely absolved from the extra time needed to massage these pieces onto the car, in the event that they don't fit perfect. And they won't fit perfect. Example: An insurance company may allow 3 hours book flat rate to hang a fender, but the shop may discover they need another 5 hours to get it to line up perfectly. Or maybe even another 12 hours if they have to build up an edge to close a gap or similar. This is the nature of repro parts.

So who is responsible for this extra 5 to 12 hours of time? Maybe YOU, if you are the person to chose and recommended the part source that was imperfect. (Side-note, you do not have damaged quarter panels if it is a front impact...you have damaged fenders.)

If the shop and/or insurance company sourced the parts? They take and/or share the responsibility of getting them to fit. I assure you that as an appraiser, MANY times when I specify a part source for a repair, and the part doesn't fit/rusts/needs help/etc, and I learn that the shop and/or owner did not utilize MY suggested part source, the insurance company I work for says "tough luck...you didn't get the parts I specified so we can't support them" and that costs the owner extra unnecessary cash. But if you and/or shop purchased the exact parts I specified, and they don't fit, it is MY reponsibility as an insurance rep, and the company I work for therefore covers any necessary extra expenses to make it right.

So put 100% of your research and time into finding a body shop that KNOWS how to fix these cars, and is willing to work collaboratively with the insurance company to get it done. And travel far and wide if you have to to find that shop. And then put them in touch with your insurance appraiser and let them get it done with very little of your input...including part source. A shop that requests your input in which parts to purchase, and where to buy them from, is a shop to run away from IMO...

If you're doing the work yourself? I'll let others offer suggestions as I acknowledge that I have no first-hand experience with body parts for these cars.

Ouch, I feel your pain brother. Instant flash back, 2-1/2 years ago. Hope your repairs go well for you!

Good info, thanks Crazecars. I'm alive and the other guys insurance is footing this bill. Thank God.
Folks, I will need a few, hard to find pieces that maybe aren't in reproduction.
For instance, the metal pillar piece that connects to the hood latch, possibly the hood latch assembly itself, the metal assemblies that contain the front left and right turn-signal lamps, etc. If you have stuff like that start contacting me please. Any small parts and pieces to our 1968 front-ends that aren't readily available, might need some help there.

I have some misc original front end parts and hood latch parts. Let me know what you need once you have it all figured out.

"nash"...I`ll forward to Todd Williams , one of our HALF guys, know he has asecond 68 that could possibly have parts you need....

Awesome, guys, thanks much. Will tear down the damaged front end this weekend and see what I'll need that can't be found at NPD, Classic, etc.

I will definitely need the entire hood latch assembly...we had to cut through the top of the warped 400 hood to get the latch to release. Now seeing the real damage done. I will post some photos tomorrow showing the parts and pieces needed that will be hard to find. I just ordered over $3K worth of parts from Classic to build her back.

John , sorry to let you know Todd didnt have anything...but maybe a suggestion that may work....here is his reply

Will do, thanks Bjorn.

I have decided not to post photos of the damage here for now, knowing it will make a few of you cry. Instead, I'll post "before and after" pics once I am finished rebuilding. $2910.00 in parts already ordered and inbound. I am motivated to get this done in less than two months. Biggest challenge will be getting the front end frame conectors, radiator support, and assorted "bigstuff" stretched back out to original dimensions.

My "restoration facility" called today and said my Suzi-Q is ready for pick-up! Will go get her Monday and post photos. They have rebuilt all the front end damage and got her back on the road in less than 10 weeks. Amazing.

Looking forward to see how it turned out

John, I thought that you were going to take on the project? You're a wise man. My car problems is that I cannot buy what I'm doing to mine.

Congrats John! Can't wait to see the photos!