Our 1984 Sunbird Convertible was recently T-Boned and crunched the passenger side door and rear quarter panel. We have a spare 84 for parts but I don't really want to cut out the quarter panel. Does anyone know of a place that sells quarter panels?
So sorry to hear that. I am not aware of any source.
They do not sell replacement body panels for 1st and 2nd gens. Only replacement rocker panels. Get one from the junkyard. I got mine for $20 cut it off with a sawzall. Make sure you straighten everything the best you can before you take the door or panels off or it won't line up right. Try to pull the door and quarter back into shape and straighten the frame if it needs it. Otherwise it will never be straight again.
On the inside my car looks like a fighter jet.
Considering the fender and doors are the same across the board, I would think the q-panel would be as well to keep the look the same.
I am tired as dirt but maybe I can check around and see if I can locate or find said item.I am also thinking the cav/bird do share the same body lines and cutting out bad and welding in new piece should be ok.The only real difference is the like the rear at tails and front fenders.I am running on fumes so maybe when I am more focused I can think on it better.1st gen doors fit all first gens cav,bird,skyhawk etc.
The sheetmetal between the wheels is the same across all the 1st gen jbodies. If the damage extends past the rear wheel then you have to look for 1982-1987 Sunbirds and possibly Skyhawk quarter panel might work. I don't think I'd use a sawzall to cut the panel out, if you have a dull blade or don't go at the right speed you could warp the metal around the cut, might be worth renting a grinder. If you're not comfortable doing the work yourself go to your local auto paint store and ask them if there are any auto body guys that work out of their home garage for a reasonable price.
Check out Jacks in Billerica, MA. They have a few early J bodys and had an 86 Convertible bird last winter. Brian, have any pictures of your car?
Okay, here is a picture of my car right after the accident.
We bought the car about 3 years ago, at the time it only had 37k on it , now we are up to 70k. The was no body rot or dents on the whole car prior to the accident. Just last fall I replaced the top.
Ooo looks nasty, What hit it
Anyway check out Jack's, that 86 Sunbird that they have might be just what you need for parts.
You just about need a whole quarter panel.Save your window sweep on your door tooo!It is really easy to take the vert sweeps off.If your unsure how watch my post of window sweeps it shows a good detail on how to do it.That totally sucks to see so much damage.
We were hit by a Chevy Blazer, they pulled out of a driveway without looking. They hit and spun us sideways.
Thanks for the info on Jacks. I will give them a call.
We were planning on having the Sunbird repainted either this year or next, looks like it will be this year. We are not sure if we are going to stay with the same color or get creative.
Do you think the molding and door from the 86 are the same as the 84?
Ron is right SAVE your window sweeps and all trim from your old door. The doors that they have at Jacks are ok, but none of them are totally rust free. Any door from 83 to 94 should fit. Even doors from coupes can be modified (cut window frames) as they were at ASC when they converted these cars into convertibles.
I found a door and will pick it up this weekend, looks like it's on an 85 or 86 Sunbird. I am hoping the door sweep is better than the one I have. I already have the quarter panel so it looks like my car will go into the body shop next week. My wife has yet to pick out the color she wants to paint it, we decided to go non-traditional.
I will post some pictures as soon as we get it back.
Yep Brian, now is the perfect time to change the color and do a little mod or 2!! :-)
Bet it's kinda like remodeling a kitchen - both of you 2 have different ideas!! :-O
.
There's not much arguing on the modifications and painting, it's my wife's mid life crisis car so in order to keep peace in the family........
I almost forgot, for other parts like body panels, etc you can also search boneyards at www.car-part.com
If you need the door molding look on my thread found some cool stuff at the pull a part.I found a bird with all the rubber trim on quarter and door.check the pics I showed to see if you want this or your donor find has what you need already.Just thought I would let you know being the car has not been there long.
Thanks Ron for the offer, my donor car has most of the parts I need. Sure hated chopping up the donor.
Ok just double checking bc certain cars do not always stay at the pull a part long if unpicked.Last year I cleaned them out big items and cars sat for weeks while I got all I could.
We finally got our Bird back from the body shop, we found a new door from the bone yard and used the quarter panel from our donor car. The wife picked out the color, it's a gold over silver and changes color depending what type of light you're in. I have to say we really like it, the photo does not do it justice.
We will be changing the rims and tires soon, our donor car has the stock pontiac aluminum rims. I plan on cleaning them up, I think they will look better than the wire spook hubcaps.
Wow that is some fresh paint and a fixed to car to boot.Like the color and it does LOOK really NICE!Sometimes pics never show the true glory of the real deal.I know when I shot pics of my freshend engine paint/resto intake job the pics from under side just not as good either but showed them and it is grease FREE.Great stuff there.
Thanks Ron. I think my next step is an engine cleaning and probably a repaint of the air filter assembly. The car only has 70k on it so it's pretty clean under the hood.
Once I get the rims cleaned up and mounted I will post some better pictures
