Usa or import sheet metel

[Lee69SS]

I'm restoring a 69 SS. Anyboby out there really compared the made in the USA to the import. Big differance in price but how about fit? So many venders. Got full outer rockers from Classic Industries but not that impressed. Same with there full quarter pannel. Got doors from NPD, they were priced right and fit was not to bad had to do some grinding and bending but nothing major. Need a new deck lid, any thoughts?

[WildBillyT]

Personally, I don't think it can be lumped into USA vs import that easily. Some sheet metal is imported but is still very good IMO. Back when I had my '69 Camaro I was very pleased with the Dynacorn full floor, full trunk, and frame rails. They had crisp stampings and proper gauge- and that stuff was made in Taiwan. For the Camaro I had before that (a 78) you could tell the difference between the USA fender and import one just by hefting them in your hands- the imported one was a lot lighter due to a thinner gauge, but that was an off-brand fender.

[Rhino]

There are realistically only a few places that do the actual sheet metal stamping. For example, for a lot of pieces from goodmark and golden star come off the exact same presses. The biggest quality differences used to be that some companies had exclusive rights to new tooling, where others were produced on old original dies. It seems the new tooling is being used for more companies all the time. Speak with your supplier and make sure you get items that have been retooled in the past few years.

[1976CamaroGuy]

I'm learning from expereince that you can't beat oem stuff. If you have a fender with rust holes...it's better to weld a patch in it than to get a repop fender. I have good mark fenders on my 76, I swapped them for the oem that had some rust in them, wished I never did that now.

I also have goodmark quarter skins and the lower body stamping isn't as crisp as the original quarters.

[elitecustombody]

Auto Metal Direct

[TT302Z28]

AMD is great but not a full line yet.

[anmobley]

So with all that being said. What would anyone recommend. I know lots of people have used different companies, but there have to be good and bad one's out there. I have to buy new fenders and doors but still have the originals. A little help with recommendations would help.

[Rag-Rat]

I'm working on a 69 Camaro. I recently went to a large swap meet to look for fenders & full quarters. I lifted a Golden Legion/Goodmark quarter in my hands. It was light, flimsy...not what I was looking for. Then I found an AMD dealer who let me do the same with one of their 69 Camaro quarters. I was impressed. It was heavy and it didn't twist or buckle when I held it upright. I can't honestly say if the fit and finish is far above because I wasn't mounting it onto a car. But for the small price difference I would definitely buy the AMD unless I start hearing horror stories about fitment issues. I am also waiting to see AMD's 69 Camaro fenders in person. The USA made ones are very, very expensive and hard to find. I guess if you're restoring an original Z28 or SS it is worth it but since I am just looking for a real nice street driver, I am going to go with the AMD stuff.

[elitecustombody]

You can never go wrong with AMD parts. I forgot exact numbers, but there is about 30 lbs difference between OEM full quarter and AMD quarter for B-body Charger,because AMD quarter is thicker. I am a lttle bias because I am AMD sheetmetal dealer,but it's been well proven by many installers that AMD is hands down the best replacement sheetmetal,period. I've been selling and using AMD sheetmetal and glass for over 2 years at the shop and had only one customer returning a set of quarter panels for Challenger,because supposedly he couldn't make them fit, while I had sold counless quarters.And what's good about AMD is that they took parts back with no issues whatsoever.