I had a new quarter panel and inner and outer tail panel installed on my 69 FB by a guy with a ton of experience. I had him install a repro trunk lid while he was at it. The gaps on the sides between the quarters and the trunk lid are way, way too wide. I have the original lid with a spoiler which I can reinstall. Just curious if anyone else had this experience.

I haven't made it that far yet but I'm well on my way. Hopefully I don't end up with that same problem tho

You are better off finding a original trunk lid,the repops do not line up at all .bought a repop and it sits in my garage collecting dust.

I've just been through that, part of the problems were the quarters and part was the lid, so I got tired of welding rod to the lid to make it match up and put my old lid back on to find it was way closer, that's probably why someone gave me that new lid and they bought an original for theirs. Still had to cut the quarters to get a perfect gap but it's was better with the original lid.
This pic is with the repop that I welded to, the original fit with no welding

Takes work to get that 3/16" gap

Oh wow.. I've got the original plus a extra original from another firebird that the guy through in. I was going to just get a new repop rather then mess with trying to get the rust cleaned up between the skin and bracing. But might be worth the clean up headache in the end

Definitely go with a factory trunk lid. Other repop parts can be made to work, but the trunk lids just take too much...

I have my original trunk lid with a repro quarter, and did what Jerry did but to a much lesser degree. I had to cut the quarter's edge up from the tail panel about 5" up the quarter and take out material (pie shaped sliver) and re-weld as the gap near the tail panel was too tight. By doing this the edge of where it meets the tail panel came into line up perfectly.

I think my vert quarter had more room to get it tighter to the proper gap as I don't have the roof to deal with. It also matters how the outer wheel house was fitted if replaced since that can control the lateral movement on the quarter.

I have a spare original trunk lid that I may not use after all which is very good shape if anyone is interested in it. I bought it thinking I would use it, but it is a later vintage than my January built car. It does not have the tab design for the skin of the lid which was typical of 68 and early 69 built cars.

I've seen deck lids everywhere. they seem to be a dime a dozen

bill v

Yeah, decklids are out there, but if you want one for a base '69 Bird, it's tougher than you think. A base '69 means no PONTIAC letter holes, no 400 emblem holes, no spoiler holes, no Camaro emblem holes. That narrows it down real fast. Now add no significant rust or dents and you start to think the only way to get one is to buy a car. If anyone has a really nice one, let me know. Thanks, Mark

Those small holes make no difference, I weld them up and you would never know they were there. They do nothing to weaken the structure jus an inconvenience of you don't want them

I have two 69 oem decks one is rusted thru on the top at the lower
corners and the other one was hit and slightly bent in the center towards
the back I might part with one .
Anyone ever try to re skin one of these trunk lids with just a piece of sheet metal

Mark from Michigan, I have an unmolested one I will most likely part with. I bought it recently in Traverse City, and I realized it does not have the spot welded tabs like my very early 69. Most wouldn't care, but my original is what I am staying with. Has some slight surface rust around the skin seam, but other than that, it's in decent shape. No holes but it is plum crazy purple PM me if interested. I get to Western Michigan often if interested. Not sure where you are located?

Mark.