bodywork - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

It seems we don't spend a lot of time on this topic, as a couple of searches came up pretty blank. I need some advice, and you guys are the source to go to so...

I got slammed this weekend at Buttonwillow in the right rear quarter...twice. The quarterpanel is completely messed up. We hammered it out enough to get off the tire, and there doesn't look to be any damage otherwise. The roof is straight, the trunklid is straight...basically its just the quarter and bumper cover.

SO...what should I do? (other than leave my car looking like a dirt track special)

1) I could buy some body work tools (one of those cool stud welder/pullers, hammers, etc) and try to fix it (straight enough for a race car) and then spray it in the driveway. Lots of $ for the tools, and time for the repair, but this is a repeatable process so the next one will be cheap

2) I could send the car to a body shop and have the quarter replaced and bumper cover re-hung and then spray it. This has to be expensive, and it costs the same each time, but at least I don't have to do any work.

3) I could find someone that already has the tools and the knowledge and pay them to do it. The problem with this strategy is I don't actually know anyone with the tools and knowledge to do this...but the theory is they would be willing to do it for less than a real shop.

What do you guys think? What do you guys do? If it was a fender or a door it would be a different story since I could just unbolt the panel and get a new one...quarterpanels suck ass (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

CMC#5 View Member Profile	Jun 7 2004, 04:41 PM Post #1
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 902 Joined: 27-January 04 From: Magnolia, Tx. Member No.: 160	It seems we don't spend a lot of time on this topic, as a couple of searches came up pretty blank. I need some advice, and you guys are the source to go to so... I got slammed this weekend at Buttonwillow in the right rear quarter...twice. The quarterpanel is completely messed up. We hammered it out enough to get off the tire, and there doesn't look to be any damage otherwise. The roof is straight, the trunklid is straight...basically its just the quarter and bumper cover. SO...what should I do? (other than leave my car looking like a dirt track special) 1) I could buy some body work tools (one of those cool stud welder/pullers, hammers, etc) and try to fix it (straight enough for a race car) and then spray it in the driveway. Lots of $ for the tools, and time for the repair, but this is a repeatable process so the next one will be cheap 2) I could send the car to a body shop and have the quarter replaced and bumper cover re-hung and then spray it. This has to be expensive, and it costs the same each time, but at least I don't have to do any work. 3) I could find someone that already has the tools and the knowledge and pay them to do it. The problem with this strategy is I don't actually know anyone with the tools and knowledge to do this...but the theory is they would be willing to do it for less than a real shop. What do you guys think? What do you guys do? If it was a fender or a door it would be a different story since I could just unbolt the panel and get a new one...quarterpanels suck ass (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

CMC#5 View Member Profile	Jun 9 2004, 03:41 AM Post #2
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 902 Joined: 27-January 04 From: Magnolia, Tx. Member No.: 160	I thought about replacing the panel...but then I looked at a spare quarter that I have (came with the car) and THAT looks like a nightmare. Besides, the inner panel has already been beat to hell since it was pushed in against the tire and it had to get the hell outta the way so I could RACE! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) So that would still involve hammering things into place as well as filling the seam at the C pillar...though to a lesser degree. Randy, where do you get things like paint, filler, sandpaper et al? Is there a local body shop supply place or something or should I plan on getting everything online?