Author Topic: Tail Panel Measurement Please  (Read 810 times)

Offline FY1Cuda

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Tail Panel Measurement Please
« on: May 13, 2011 - 10:56:38 PM »
This is not a "what the heck is it?" from Mike, so don't let the gold carpet fool you.
I'm trying to fit some new sheet metal on the back of our Cuda and it seems the tail panel is too short and doesn't have the same arch as the new trunk lid from the same manufacturer.  I measured a neighbor's Cuda that has original sheet metal and his tail panel is a 1/2" taller than my new one.  If any and all would be so kind as to measure their tail panel, I would be very appreciative, so I could maybe return this one and get another brand.  The measurement I'd like is from the "butt crack" of the top curve to the bottom edge of the bottom ridge.  Please post the measurement and if your panel is OEM, Goodmark, Sherman, AMD, or some other.
The first picture is where to measure
The second picture I borrowed from another member and shows good alignment
The third picture is what I have so far where the panel and lid have two different curves.
Thanks




Offline AARuFAST

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2011 - 11:18:35 PM »
Try bolting your valance to the quarters and the bumper support  for correct fit.
Maybe the quarters need pulled in.
1970 AAR Cuda
1970 Gran Coupe Ragtop. 1 of 66
Gran Cpe Convertible 1 yr only.

" I Want to Ride "

" I tried to be normal once...
it was the most boring
2 minutes of my life!!!!"

Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2011 - 12:46:21 AM »
Hope you don't mind my "borrowing" your car for a picture of how things suppose to fit.  The valance and bumper fit fine.  We were all ready to weld the tail panel in when a buddy suggested we put the trunk lid on to check the fit.  That's when we discovered the difference in curvatures.  If you could measure your panel tomorrow I'd really appreciate it.

Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2011 - 10:20:57 AM »
Wow.  I wish my Cuda was here to measure that for you. Right now it is 30 miles away in a friend's garage.

Looks like you need a tail off of another cuda.  Like when I fitted my cowl and firewall to the challenger. I had a full cowl and firewall that came out of another car that fit just like the old one. It needed a few patches so I decided to buy new AMD parts. They were close but nothing like the original stuff.  I had to make them fit. Old ones "dropped right in" I hear stories about the new decklids not having the right curves at the right places too.
Rob

3 E-bodies, Megasquirt-1v3.0, Edelbrock Pro-Flo-1, Holley C950, FAST EZ-EFI; say no to carbs...yes to throttle bodies

My Pace Car restoration thread:
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.0


Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2011 - 11:22:09 AM »
I was OK with tapping and cutting and bending to get the quarters right with the deck extension and wheel wells, but there really isn't an eloquent way to get the curve of the trunk and tail panel to align.  I'm hoping that if a few people chime in here, we can figure out which companies' pieces fit (if any) for the tail section.
BTW, thanks for responding and thanks for all the electrical advice you've offered me and others.

Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2011 - 12:05:59 PM »
BTW, thanks for responding and thanks for all the electrical advice you've offered me and others.

NP, I'm just not on as much as I was because of the car stuff and trying to move soon.
Rob

3 E-bodies, Megasquirt-1v3.0, Edelbrock Pro-Flo-1, Holley C950, FAST EZ-EFI; say no to carbs...yes to throttle bodies

My Pace Car restoration thread:
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.0


Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2011 - 07:04:52 PM »
I guess I should have said "PLEASE".

Offline AARuFAST

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2011 - 07:14:43 PM »
Owen
Hope this can help you.
This is my sons Barracuda project. Quarters, tail panel and bumper support were hung.
I took pic of his car and measurments from both his car and our AAR.
Top of quarter to bottom edge of tail panel.
the AAR is 1/8 longer.

Gran Coupe Convertible

 
////////////  CUDA AAR
AARuFAST


« Last Edit: May 15, 2011 - 07:17:23 PM by AARuFAST »
1970 AAR Cuda
1970 Gran Coupe Ragtop. 1 of 66
Gran Cpe Convertible 1 yr only.

" I Want to Ride "

" I tried to be normal once...
it was the most boring
2 minutes of my life!!!!"

Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2011 - 07:18:24 PM »
Thank you. That's what I am looking for.  Is that new sheet metal or original?  If it's new, what make is it? 

Offline aarcuda33

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Re: Tail Panel Measurement Please
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2011 - 08:24:58 PM »
 I just saw your post and you dont seem to be getting many replys. So I took a tape measure out in the garage .
 I am unable ( not smart enough ) to post pictures so I measured off the spots AARuFAST used in his pictures .
 If you need them I can take pictures and send them to your email

 I measured five cudas all five were the same I would have never believed it    2-70s    1-71    2-73s
 I also measured
  1 nos 70-71 panel
  1 nos 72-74 panel

 8 1/4 inch        9 1/4 inch     8 1/4 inch

All are original  I guess the standards back in the day are alot better than we give them credit for     

Good luck
 aarcuda33