1970 Challenger Taillight Panel Replacement

[outofcadence]

   In the process of stripping the car down for rust repairs and body work, I found an old repair to the rear taillight panel that looks like it was pulled out from a minor hit.  The metal is only slightly warped and can be straightened out, but i will probably need to cut it off to properly work the kinks out. I don't want to cut before I know if a reproduction is available for a worst case replacement.  Any ideas on someplace to buy this?

[Alaskan_TA]

The tail light panels are not being reproduced any where yet that I know of?

Best of luck with it,
Barry

[outofcadence]

   That's what I was afraid of.  I am trying to find a potenial junkyard donor, but have not had any luck.  I may have to straighten the panels on the car.  Anyone know of an intact trunk in S. Az?

[ShelbyDogg]

A friend of mine gets about $1200-$1500 for an intack '70 Chall-'71 Cuda tailpanel, to build clones.  Try to fix yours if possible or Call Desert Valley Auto parts in Phoenix 800-905-8024
Rob

[moparclown]

how are you? are you using a spot weld cutter to remove the panel?mine was really rotten but i took the time to remove it because i do plan on rebuilding it for later use.but i got lucky on e-bay and got one for under 100 bucks it still needed some work but it is one of the parts thats not repoped so it was the first thing on my list to locate.

[ShelbyDogg]

Wow! That last pic!  The Cuda I'm doing was bad in the trunk too, But I added metal to my tail panel to save it. It wasn't as bad as that one.  I just remember turning down a 71 Challenger Convert long ago, because the floor and the trunk was rusty. It went to the junk yard.    If we only knew.   
Rob

[FY1443433]

O my god 

I hope mine doesn't look like this.  I know it bad but not this bad.  I'd be scared to attempt fixing it.  Nothing stepping into a hornets nests naked.

FY1

[outofcadence]

   I am SOOOOOOOO glad I live in the desert after seeing those pics.  (My trunk looks like it rolled out of the factory in comparison).  I would be afraid to tackle that one.   :  My issue is bent metal (with a few very small rust holes).  I started straightening the panel out last night and made some progress.  This will never be a show car and this repair can't be seen from the outside.  I will post pics a bit futher into the repair.

[moparclown]

good luck with your panel,and just take your time.mine wont be a show car because i want a driver and most parts can be fixed or replaced.i just built two frame rails and will post some photos later.this might sound off the wall but im having a blast with the steel work on this challenger.this mopar will roam the streets again and thats a shame about the 71 convertible i would give it a chance to live again.