1972 Cuda Tail Panel Overview

[cudadude013]

I would like to start a series of threads reviewing the reproduction body panels I purchase during my restoration. My first victim will be the 1972 cuda tail panel made by AMD.

To start I will say I have become a fan of the AMD repro panels simply due to their attention to detail that is a must for anyone wanting to do an accurate restoration. Most of the panels I have purchased have been an exact fit but this doesn't mean they have reached perfection yet. The tail panel I purchased appears to be an excellent reproduction other than a few details I will list below and show examples of. Please keep in mind I still have yet to fit it on my car. Please feel free to comment or compare with other companies (sherman, goodmark, etc).

1972 cuda tail panel AMD

Overall rating 7/10

[cudadude013]

Here I have a pic of the top of an original tail panel and the AMD reproduction for comparison. Note the angle on the original where the weather stripping goes. There is a sharp 90 degree angle between where the weather stripping rests and the upper lip. Unfortunately the AMD reproduction panel has a very blunt angle that doesn't reach near the 90 degree mark. This will make it difficult for the trunk gutters to match up with the tail panel without a fair amount of manipulation.

[E-Body Products]

I am an AMD dealer and I would not accept this panel.  If I were you, I would return it to get a replacement.  It is very obvious that this panel missed a final form operation on the trunk seal gutter operation.  The panels that I have seen do not look like this.  We talked on the phone today, but I now understand better what you are referring to.  Hopefully you can resolve this with whom you purchased the panel from.  Was it AMD direct or another dealer.  Either way, you should be able to get the help you need to resolve this.

Daniel
www.ebodyproducts.com
dj1965@ebodyproducts.com
606-481-0213

[cudadude013]

I do remember talking to you! You were very helpful and knowledgeable on E-bodies and I appreciate it. I was told to call Alan at AMD to explain the best I could the problem I was having with the panel. He said the rest of the panels were the same but I think a visual would be helpful since it can be a little difficult to explain these things over the phone. I've always favored AMD and as far as I know they are the only ones who make the repro 72 cuda tail panels but if some of the other companies step up and create a little competition I'm sure AMD will fix their tooling process with this panel. If I did get a tail panel that simply missed a step in the tooling I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

Does anyone else have pics they would be willing to post of their AMD repro tail panel?

Please include the same angle of the upper lip as the above pics for comparison... this could solve the question. Thanks!
 

[E-Body Products]

I just sent pictures to AMD to make sure they fully understand the problem with your 72 cuda tail panel.  Alan is supposed to call me back on Friday.  Did you buy the panel direct from AMD?

Thanks,

Daniel
www.ebodyproducts.com
dj1965@ebodyproducts.com
606-481-0213

[cudadude013]

I actually buy my panels through an AMD vender(not direct).

They told me AMD wants the panel back to compare it to the rest of their stock.
If there's a better one they'd send it to me if not they'll refund my money.
AMD and the vender who sells to me both offer great custumer service and most of their panels are top end.
It may be possible that their tail panels need a little more work or maybe I just got the bad one in the bunch.
I'll find out shortly and keep everyone posted.

[mopar12372]

with all this said , how does a person purchseing these body parts know ? lets say i was welding one of those panels in and found out.
e-bay has alot of these panels listed.

[72cudamaan]

Well hopefully you trial fitted all panels before any welding was started. Usually you will have to tweek or bend most panels to get a perfect fit.

[mopardave]

Andy,  I believe I talked to you last week wanting info on the drgree angle of the lip or flange 90 vs 115, but that is neither here or their. Alan/AMD will resolve that and they will replace it once they have inspected there panels. their is no comparison from any other supplier because AMD is the only one doing 72-4 t/panels. hope it works out for you. David

mopar12372
as for buying any reproduction part from any vender/supplier you always compare the new to the old and you have to examine and test fit it, their is some room for a margin of error but that is the buyers responsibility before you weld it in.

[wagesofsin]

with all this said , how does a person purchseing these body parts know ? lets say i was welding one of those panels in and found out.
e-bay has alot of these panels listed.

i personally prefit and preassemble everything i do, or make.
as far as panel fitment goes, if your of the mindset and skill level to be able to do panel replacement, fitment really isnt that huge of an issue, or shouldnt be. unless its waaaaay off, it is in fact only metal, and it can be made to perform.
theres only time to do it right once, but you have the rest of your life to do it over and over and over!!

think fast and move slow.