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Len

New Member
Hey folks I replacing my outer wheel housing on my 1969 Buick skylark convertible and can’t find any aftermarket parts. Does anyone know if there is a interchangeable one that will work?
 
Typically the outer wheelhouse would be unique to each marque of A body, but the inners and most of the roof and floor parts would be the same. Since the Skylark has such a low wheel arch, you'd have to add metal to any other outer wheelhouse, as far as I can tell. There are many skilled metal workers here on the forum that might be able to lend you more assistance.
 
If your original is still in decent enough shape to be used as a pattern then one could be fabricated from that. Or if the opposite side is in decent shape a pattern could be made from that to fabricate one. AFAIK there are really no other options other than fabricating one. Perhaps you could source something used but you'll likely only get one with the 1/4 attached and I imagine most of the good stuff has long been picked over. This has been an issue for quite a long time now with that era Buick.

Being you are in Wisconsin I could give you some contact info of several guys in your state who can shape the panel for you. When they could do it and how much they would charge I have no idea. Likely most would charge you by the hour. It will not be cheap.

Only other option would be to figure out how to do it yourself. Using an available A body outer like with a Chevelle and modifying it to fit your Buick like Crash stated. If you decide to go that route a good metal guy (somewhat hard to find) could do that as well.

If you want to find someone in your area I'd suggest you start by joining Allmetalshaping.com and post your issue and request there. Let them know your location and what you are looking to have done. Likely someone in the Wisconsin area would be able to do the job for you, whether fabricating one from scratch or modifying a Chevelle wheelhouse.

Link to AMS
 
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Thanks everyone for your insight. My vehicle is in very good condition being it only has 65k original miles on it so I would really like to get some of the contact you may know in the Wisconsin area and thanks again for your input
 
This is a great opportunity to build your own panel. I would guess the entire wheelhouse isn’t rusted out, so just make the area that’s bad, and weld it to the good part. That way there’s less shaping involved. Like Chris said, work off the other side if it’s really bad. Make the new part before cutting the old one off.
 
I restored a '65 Buick Special Convertible for a guy and ran into similar problems finding any replacement parts.
The left quarter panel was a total mess and had been poorly patched and then had a bunch of body filler applied.
Deep Bondo.JPG


They had scabbed the rear portion of another quarter panel over the original, held it in place with sheet metal screws and then caved and paved it with Bondo.

After removing their miserable patch job the wheel well was in terrible shape:
Driver's Side Wheel Well 2.JPG


I finally tried a place called Junk Yard Dog and was able to find a used quarter panel. Not in great shape but it could be salvaged.
Used Quarter Rear Dent.JPG


After a lot of work, making patch panels for rust hole, reshaping dented panels, new floor pans, trunk floor, etc. I was finally able to paint it.

P1010001.JPG
 
Sure, that would be awesome- maybe I could get their information as well to contact them directly- I also have two 68 Buick skylark’s convertibles which I will be restoring sometime soon. Thanks
 
The reason I suggested you call them before I check is because they may not want to sacrifice a quarter panel to get you an outer wheelhouse without charging you for a quarter panel. I think it’s best you discuss that with them up front.
 
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