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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
I'm working on restoring the pinch welds on the project turkey. Like most, the car was jacked under the pinch welds, so they were a nice mangled mess. I've got a reasonable idea of what I'm shooting for, how they are supposed to look, but it'd make me feel better to lay eyes on a couple unmolested pinch welds. Specifically I'm talking about the front tabs where the fenders mount at the bottom.
So, pic request for the low mileage, un-mangled folks. Let's see some minty straight pinch welds.
A few nice clear photos from the back side of the passenger's fender mount would really hit the spot.
Sorta... Except it's less of a notch and more of a flange. Or at least it is until about 5 seconds after the first time someone uses the factory jack, at which time it becomes more of a twisted wad of sheet metal roast beef sandwich.
Kinda like this but the passenger's side primarily... This is less of documentation of how it should be, and more of an artists interpretation sculpted in discarded Mustang fender. I call this piece, Rust-hole Be Gone!
No sweat. I don't recall ever seeing a thirdgen that they weren't mangled. I haven't looked too closely at the Iroc, or the convertible, but I know the Formula's have taken some heat, and the project bird lived a life of adventure and danger, so they were mauled.
I recall the first time I jacked up my first Camaro with the factory jack, and the ensuing body damage and panic to let the stock jack back down, then looking around to be sure no one saw me crush the rocker panel...
I may live to be 80 years old and I'll never understand why GM couldn't pair the car with suitable lifting points and a jack that actually matches those points.
In the back of my mind, I was sure I was the only one with mangled pinch welds, it's kind of comforting to know it's a wider spread issue than I even considered.
Thanks guys! Definitely helps to see a few unmangled. I wouldn't mind seeing more if anyone else feels like contributing. Now just to hammer and dolly the project to match.
Thanks guys! Definitely helps to see a few unmangled. I wouldn't mind seeing more if anyone else feels like contributing. Now just to hammer and dolly the project to match.
Wouldn't mind seeing that before, during and after project documented.
Wouldn't mind seeing that before, during and after project documented.
It's a little complicated, because the driver's side was both smashed and rusted out. What was left of the fender mounting tab was cut out so I could patch the hole in mostly one piece. It's literally a scrap of junk Mustang fender I beat into submission and welded into the car.
The passenger's side is mostly just crushed, so I've been hammer dollying it back into shape. It's a long way from pretty, but an improvement from how I found the car.
It's a little complicated, because the driver's side was both smashed and rusted out. What was left of the fender mounting tab was cut out so I could patch the hole in mostly one piece. It's literally a scrap of junk Mustang fender I beat into submission and welded into the car.
The passenger's side is mostly just crushed, so I've been hammer dollying it back into shape. It's a long way from pretty, but an improvement from how I found the car.
