1968 Plymouth GTX

The front left drip rail was really dented up. When I tried fitting the chrome trim on, it wouldn't snap into place at the top.
So I replaced it with a spare one I had laying around.
Left Front Drip Rail Replaced.JPG


Started prepping the right side drip rail for installation.
Drip Rail Right Installation.JPG


I'll keep plugging away at it (pun intended). LOL

Another issue I need to research is repairing slightly pitted pot metal for new chrome plating.
Here's a picture of one of the tail light bezels. These are a one year only item and a restored set on eBay is $650. Like new originals are over a $1000 if you can find and afford them.

Tail Light Bezel side view.JPG

Tail Light Bezel top view.JPG


Here's what it is supposed to look like:
Original Tail light Bezel.jpg


Original Tail light Bezel Side.jpg


I have new lenses and the buckets are in good shape, so really need to get the bezels looking like new again.
Same will go for my tail panel.
Close up 2.jpg


Man I've got a lot of work ahead me!
 
To bad you're not doing a 68 Road Runner, I've got a couple sets of pit free ones that I'd give ya a heck of a deal on.
I actually bought a used one for a roadrunner thinking they would be the same. When I noticed they weren't, I did some research and found out it was a 1 year only thing.
Trying to sell it on eBay now to get my money back.
 
Test fitting the roof skin. It's just sitting in place at the moment with one clamp.
Roof Skin Test fit.JPG


Roof Skin Test Fit 1.JPG


Front looks good and the right sail panel lines up real nice.
Roof Skin Test Fit Front.JPG


Most of the back looks real good as well.
What I am not happy with is the left sail panel fit.
Roof Skin Test Fit Rear.JPG


Looking at it from this view you can see the slope of the upper quarter panel doesn't line up with the roof skin as well as the right side does.
On the right side a straight edge fits real nice. Not so on the left side, so I am thinking I may need to do some modification/patch work.

The edge of the left quarter panel that runs along the window has some bronze filler in there and not a very good job either. I made note of it when media blasting.
Welding Material Unknown.JPG


The deck panel and lower window corners need to be replaced as well.
 
Pictures can be deceiving and it's hard to tell if the left side quarter panel is tweaked (most likely), or if the new roof skin is a bit bowed out on the left side. To rule out the roof skin, I'd make a template of the right side going from center line of the roof skin. then flip the template over and use it on the left side.

Template using good right side
Roof Skin Test Fit Rear 1.png
 
Out of curiosity, was there a lot of filler on the left quarter panel?
A fair amount. This is after some sanding.
Sail Panel Left Previous Repair.JPG


Here's the Template on the right side:
Template Right.JPG


Flipped over and placed on the left side:
Template Left.JPG


Not perfect but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The roof skin does have a very slight outward bow to it on the left sail panel area.

I will remove the skin and look closer at that area to see if there is something restricting the roof skin from laying down. After that everything will get cleaned real good and the dampening material installed on the roof supports.

I am going to mark center points on the front and rear above the glass areas. My thinking is to work from the center to the outside, both front and rear, when spot welding the roof skin into place.
 
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Very hard to see in pictures . Measure the body and quarters and sail panels. With your talent this will turn out just fine . Reminds me of a Mustang roll over repair I did years ago.
 
I did find a couple of places that needed slight adjustments. Also noticed that one of the corners on the front roof support had never been welded into place. All the other corners on the front and rear supports had a small spot weld but this one didn't.

Started drilling spot weld holes today.
Drilling spot weld holes.JPG

Ordered the deck filler panel and stud kit, plus the two lower window corner patches today.
 
A fair amount. This is after some sanding.
View attachment 21048

Here's the Template on the right side:
View attachment 21049

Flipped over and placed on the left side:
View attachment 21050

Not perfect but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The roof skin does have a very slight outward bow to it on the left sail panel area.

I will remove the skin and look closer at that area to see if there is something restricting the roof skin from laying down. After that everything will get cleaned real good and the dampening material installed on the roof supports.

I am going to mark center points on the front and rear above the glass areas. My thinking is to work from the center to the outside, both front and rear, when spot welding the roof skin into place.

This is good news. Thanks for not taking offense to my suggestion. The suggestion really was more for me than you to see if I'm approaching an issue in a reasonable manner. I'm sure if my suggestion was totally off base, I'd be called out on it. That's one way, one learns. I know your more than capable without my suggestions. Looking forward to following along. I've never done a welded in body panel so I'll be paying attention in the event I ever work up the courage to try myself.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Looks good, really good. Question for you, how was the packing or lack of with your AMD order? I received an order from them Saturday and wasn't impressed with how they packed the parts. Have a small dent in one of the items, still need to check the rest.
 
Looks good, really good. Question for you, how was the packing or lack of with your AMD order? I received an order from them Saturday and wasn't impressed with how they packed the parts. Have a small dent in one of the items, still need to check the rest.
I have never had one of their parts arrive damaged. Take pictures of the box and the damaged part and email customer service.
 
Got the drip rails and front spot welds ground down:
Drip Rail Welds Ground.JPG


Decided to work on the rear deck filler panel and window corners.
Started drilling out the spot welds and couldn't get the panel to loosen up. Then I found this:
Brazing holding panel in place.JPG


Tried heating it with Mapp Gas and scratching with a screw driver but looks like I will need to get the Acetylene torch out for this stuff.
It seems to be everywhere around the lower back window area, just wasn't expecting to find it in the trunk area.
Brazing Everywhere.JPG
 
After some serious hassle, I was able to remove the old deck filler panel.
Old Panel Removed.JPG


Left side supports:
Left side support brackets.JPG


Right side supports:
Right Side Support Brackets.JPG


Decided to test fit the new panel before media blasting everything and spraying epoxy primer.
Test Fit new Panel.JPG


Overall it's not too bad. With the amount of brazing done in the window corners I figured some adjustments will be necessary.
The left seam is close but the bottom portion will not slide into place:
Test Fit Left Side.JPG



The right seam it extremely tight at the top and is causing a slight bow in the center. Lower section will fall into place:
Test Fit Right Side.JPG


My thinking is that I should install the new lower window corners before doing any adjustments to the panel.
Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
 
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If you have access to the shop manual it might give some dimensions for blocks to set the window in, and check the fit.
Such as this example.

ae9f368a-48ed-456b-8148-38ef74262ca2_zpslisw5orj.jpg
 
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