Hey guys, I've inherited a 85 SC thats been through some scrapes. Probably isn't worth restoring, but I'd like to restore it anyways; sentimental values ya know?

Heres a pic:


The damage was due to a slow speed collision with a dumptruck. According to my father who was driving the car at the time, some dumbass driving a dumptruck came up ran into the side of the car. All the black marks are from the tires rubbing into it. Anyways the dumbass dumptruck didn't know until my father chased him down.

 

New quarter, and MAYBE that door.

 

depending on the condition of the rest of the car, i say replace the entire car.

 

at least its not rusted out like mine

if its not rusted out junk and runs drives good then i dont see why it wouldnt be worth fixing

i have a neighbor who is an old retired body man and he does some slick work and thats where im going to have my work done on my 82 t/a when the time comes after i find quarters, or unless i just have him patch them since he is totally pimp with the welder and metal, of course i will be right there helping too, and learning
i plan on starting on that sometime later this year like mid to late summer or so

new quarter for sure it looks like for yours, and a good door can be found with not alot of trouble really

i have to do quarter replacement also, so i knwo what its like

lemme know how it goes

 

Would a skin be good enough, or do you think I should look for a full quarter panel?

Also, what kinda costs should I expect from having a body shop cut off and weld on a new panel?

 

A NEW QUARTER WOULD BE NICE SINCE THE TRUCK DRIVERS PAYING, RIGHT?
I HAVE A 92 B4C WITH DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS REAR QUARTER PANEL,AND I'VE TRIED TO FIND ONE BUT I CAN'T....IF ANYONE HAS OR KNOWS A PLACE WITH A NEW REAR QUARTER PANELFOR A 92 CAMARO PLEASE LET ME KNOW,THANKS.............STEVE

 

Well the damage was caused well over 6 years ago when my dad was still driving it. According to my dad, the truck driver gave him $800 in cash and that was the end of it. My dad never bothered to fix it up.

Quality Camaro, Nova, Chevelle, and GM Truck Parts

They have a full quarter for 82-92 Camaros but the shipping is killer.

 

Not to be mean or anything, but it is a 6 cyl car with a crap body. I say part out what you can and go find a better car.

 

Yeah, it would definately be cheaper, but its my first car and I'd like to fix it up.

 

I will be putting a new rear quarter on my car this week I will let you know how it turns out.

 

Well, there is a point where if your investing more than the car is worth, it's not such a good idea. Heck you could get almost 400 for a solid hood and hatch glass alone, and thats about how much a new quarter/door would cost.

But I do understand you must really love the car. If you feel its worth it, then do it. Btw, did you recieve any insurance money for the damage?

 

Well insurance money no...cops were never called in and the accident went unreported. My father (who owned the car at the time and was driving it) got $800 in cash from the driver.

 

Where could you get that kind of money for a stock hood and hatch glass? To me it seems more like $100 total if you find a buyer that's local.

Anyway, I'd first determine the structural integrity of the car before you start replacing panels. I know that left rear tire is flat, but it looks to be sitting way high in the wheel well. Have you inspected the rear suspension and checked that all mounting points for the rear axle and suspension are undamaged? it almost looks like there is no spring back there at all.

 

Yeah, I had the front right jacked up. Structurally, everything seems fine. No major cancer, just a bit on the surface...nothing alittle sanding wont take care of.

 

It will be alot eaiser/cheaper to pull out the dents and cut out some of the rust than it will be to replace the quarter. Replacing a quarter on a 3rd gen (or really anything) is no easy task. Took me around 8-10 hours of labor on each side. That door and quarter are honestly not even that bad. I see maybe 6-8 hours of labor. But it looks like it needs a s-hit load more work than just the quarter and door. And it looks like the rust is creeping back up under the bumper.

 

OK no pun intended here. seriosly try this first.

Take a screw driver find the weakest spot in the floor. Stab it with the screw driver.. if it goes through junk the car. you live in new york were with floor pan or unibody frame rot you will not pass inspection. check the brake lines as well . if the rest of the car is as rusty chances are your looking at 5 grand just to pass inspection. If its not..i recomomend getting a whole new quarter and drivers door. but Check your floors and fuel/brake lines before you do anything.

 

LOL,

Surprisingly that was the first thing I did when I was checking out the car. Started stabbing at rust, seeing how damaged it was.

Can anybody gimme a rough figure as to how much a body shop would charge to cut off and weld in a new quarter? I've never welded before and I don't really wanna try it first on a new quarter.

 

thats a broad question. your best bet is to find someone who knows how to weld because the body shops will hose you for at least 2500+ for that type of repair. Thats a major body repair no matter what its gonna take allot of time.

 

(I can't believe I'm still awake..) Call a local body shop and ask their hourly rate.

Take that rate and multiply it by 12 hours.

Go to car-part.com and find you local wrecking yard price for a used ¼ panel and at that to your above total.

That should give you a rough idea of how bent over you'll get having a body shop do the work.

That will not include paint/misc materials/other metal pulling to get a new panel to even align.

Hate to be on the pessimism side but, that car is better off as what little good parts there are left on it.