Question about sheet metal

[71 Ragtop]

This may not be the most appropriate question as this board is sponsored by AMD, but I've also never been one to toe the PC line, so, here goes:

With all of the different companies making replacement sheet metal panels, is there really a difference?  I'm just starting my project, and while I want something that will last, it is certainly not a "money is no object" project.  In fact, money is a big object, and when I see upwards of $100.00 difference in the same part, I have to wonder if there is a reason, especially for parts that will never really be seen.  So, what experiences have you guys had?

[ek3]

This may not be the most appropriate question as this board is sponsored by AMD, but I've also never been one to toe the PC line, so, here goes:

With all of the different companies making replacement sheet metal panels, is there really a difference?  I'm just starting my project, and while I want something that will last, it is certainly not a "money is no object" project.  In fact, money is a big object, and when I see upwards of $100.00 difference in the same part, I have to wonder if there is a reason, especially for parts that will never really be seen.  So, what experiences have you guys had?

   Have you ever heard the old MOROSO slogan  " MOROSO , THERE IS A DIFFERENCE "   you  get what you pay for  [fit ,metal gauge,...]

[anlauto]

I would agree with the above statement..."You get what you pay for" 

I think AMD has earned the right to be labeled as the "best available" as far as quality goes.

With the power of the internet, news travels pretty darn quick, both good and bad. If you put out a poor quality product, it doesn't take long for people to find out about it.

But you're correct...there are lower priced products out there and maybe you can save a few dollars here and there, it's really up to you to decide.

My experence with E Body trunk floors: The DII shared  the same thickness and quality of AMD. It's like they were stamped on the same dye by the same company overseas...

[culp71]

agree 100 percent,
on projects such as these they demand and deserve perfection (or as close as possible) don't skimp on any parts. especially sheet metal.
As far as sheet metal goes I have used many different brands for many e-bodies, anything from trunk floor, frame sections, fenders, (front and rear), inner & outer wheel wells, floor, hoods, header panels, valances ,door skins, roof skins and everything in between, overall AMD or (I personal purchase from Tamraz via eBay-which is AMD or better) is the best for body line, contour, gauge, finish and fitment.

On one car in particular I replaced the whole side, front to back (all outer body metal) the only brand that mimicked everything
(maintain size, shape, thickness and body lines, true) was AMD.

just my two cents!

[72cudamaan]

When I ordered all of my sheet metal from Roseville,  Dave gave me what he said was the best piece from
each manufacturer . So if AMD was better on quarter panels that is what I got. If Goodmark was better on
wheel houses, that is what I got. I even ordered a couple of pieces from Sherman because those pieces didn't
show anyway. And they fit nicely too as a bonus.

[71 Ragtop]

First of all, I certainly understand that you get what you pay for.  And while I'd love to have a T-Bone steak every night, sometimes a burger will have to do.

This build will never again be a daily driver, or left out in the weather, It is being built to drive, but not across the stage at Barrett Jackson.  I need to save some $$, and am wondering if there really is a $70.00 difference in outer wheel wells.  I guess I'm looking for the middle ground of quality and price.

[anlauto]

Well I get your point for sure and fully understand.

Unfortunately for me I outsource major metal work to my guy Keith Sim. 

I always supply him with the reproduction metal parts that are required. So using your example, lets say my car needs outer wheel houses on both sides....I realize I can save $70/side which is a nice Steak dinner for the whole family...

So hypothetically, I buy the cheaper ones to put inside my AMD 1/4 panels and matched up to my original inner wheel houses.

Then I go see Keith and he tells me....Don't know where the heck you got those outer wheel houses but I had to spend an extra 2 hours/side farting around with them to make them fit properly....So I have to add $280 to your bill this week....Cheers...

Now if you're like a lot of guys on this web site and you're more than capable of doing your own metal work, and dealing with issues that could possibly arise like this is just that extra challenge you were looking for....then great....enjoy that steak dinner !

[06Daytona]

I used a mix of parts on my car and the AMD was better. The Goodmark and Sherman stuff I had was good enough, but if I was to do it again I would use all AMD. The quality of the bits and pieces was just plain old better.

[71 Ragtop]

Well I get your point for sure and fully understand.

Unfortunately for me I outsource major metal work to my guy Keith Sim. 

I always supply him with the reproduction metal parts that are required. So using your example, lets say my car needs outer wheel houses on both sides....I realize I can save $70/side which is a nice Steak dinner for the whole family...

So hypothetically, I buy the cheaper ones to put inside my AMD 1/4 panels and matched up to my original inner wheel houses.

Then I go see Keith and he tells me....Don't know where the heck you got those outer wheel houses but I had to spend an extra 2 hours/side farting around with them to make them fit properly....So I have to add $280 to your bill this week....Cheers...

Now if you're like a lot of guys on this web site and you're more than capable of doing your own metal work, and dealing with issues that could possibly arise like this is just that extra challenge you were looking for....then great....enjoy that steak dinner !

Ahhhhhh.  I see.  Save enough for a steak dinner now, and I could be buying "Keith's" family four steak diners later.  That is math that I can understand.

[MizzouRT]

Yes, ANLAUTO is spot on.  Sheet metal that fits is a lot cheaper overall than sheet metal that requires more work and massaging to fit.  As previously noted by others, AMD has earned their reputation as having the best fit overall.  On my build, no issues with roof, both fenders, hood, trunk and door skins from AMD.  Replaced both bumpers as well, the AMD back bumper fit fine.  Vendor didn't have AMD front bumper in stock, so got another brand.  The fit wasn't terrible but it was too wide and no amount of adjusting could fix that.  I spent more $$$ having the original bumper cleaned up and rechromed and set the new, non-AMD bumper to the side.  So my personal experience is strong preference for AMD.   

[Rich G]

I replaced just about every piece of metal on my 71 cuda with AMD. Everything fit nice with very little massaging. If your going to do that much work even if its just a driver, with the cost of paint alone Id want a better part. Its not like your gonna change it later. What's that saying, the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

[HP_Cuda]

AMD

Done

You won't be sorry... (spent over 8k in metal alone - yep all AMD)

[ragtopdodge]

It's too bad we can't have magazines or do fittment and quality comparisons of each panel from each manufacturer.

Like I'm curious on the front fenders.  Goodmark was 1st to get '71 'Cuda fenders, then AMD came out.  Really, which one is better?   ditto one-piece trunk panels.  Quarters.

[Edison1970]

I think that everyone here has shared some great input.  Everyone's situation is different.  If I had an large budget, I might have gone with AMD parts but $$ are limited.  Overall, I was satisfied with the Goodmark quarter, tail panel and trunk extension.  The parts did need some work but the factory metal I was attaching to was also not installed that well so that is what added to my time.  The parts I was dissatisfied with was the 2 piece trunk pan and trunk pan braces from Year One.  The pans weren't cut well and after everything was installed, I realized that they didn't drill the holes correctly for the J-bolts to hold the tank up.  I actually had to cut the steel panel that the bumper attaches to to access them and make the holes bigger.

[johns cuda shop]

It's too bad we can't have magazines or do fittment and quality comparisons of each panel from each manufacturer.

Like I'm curious on the front fenders.  Goodmark was 1st to get '71 'Cuda fenders, then AMD came out.  Really, which one is better?   ditto one-piece trunk panels.  Quarters.

Good Idea, but sometimes its better to use the original panels if you can .