Tail Panel Tune up 67 Camaro

[SlowProgress]

Hello Metal workers,

The lower tail panel is pretty beat on my 67 Camaro. I know the aftermarket ones fit poorly but I want to cut and use only the lower half to straighten out where the back up lights fit. It is very wavy from previous repairs and some burn throughs around the license plate opening from spot welds. I was planning to cut about half way up just below the row of heavy spot welds. Seems like I saw someone do this recently, but can't find the thread. Also searched "tail panel" with no luck. Anyone out there done this and posted some photos recently, or can supply a link?

Thanks,

Scott

[kush69]

Heres some pics of my 69 lower part was crunched pretty good . Hope it helps .

[Rod]

after market tail panels fit fairly decent, I installed a Goodmark rear panel on my 68 camaro and since you're only using the lower half then you only have half the work to do, I did it in my driveway



new panel



complete

[SlowProgress]

Thanks guys those photos are helpful. Appreciate you taking the time to respond ! I didn't think about going through the tail light openings with the vice grips like kush69 did - good idea. I have one pair that size, so now I have an excuse to buy another pair. I work pretty slow but will try to post up some photos along the way.

Scott

[SlowProgress]

Here is a little progress on the tail panel.

Action shot thanks to my son



Splitting the tail panel



Using the old panel as a template for the back-up lights





Mockup ready for the final cut

[grenade inspector]

looks like its coming along great! I like that lathe in the corner too.

[ROBS6T8]

Great job! Thanks for the pics. More motivation for me to get to that garage... not raining in the garage! lol
I also like the wood block idea. Those would be helpful when tightening down eveything at "ride height"!

[SlowProgress]

The wood block idea has been out there a while. If you know about Detroit Speed they use them all the time. Very cheap and very strong which is nice. The only down side I have found is storage when not in use, but they stack nicely out of the way. Good "rainy day" project.

Great job! Thanks for the pics. More motivation for me to get to that garage... not raining in the garage! lol
I also like the wood block idea. Those would be helpful when tightening down eveything at "ride height"!

[SlowProgress]

That's an old Logan lathe I picked up from a friend. I can turn garage door opener bushings with the best of them

looks like its coming along great! I like that lathe in the corner too.

[grenade inspector]

dang, I need to get some better friends, I don't know how many times I've commented on a nice tool and heard oh yeah I got that from a friend for nothing or cheap....

[SlowProgress]

Ok took a while to make some progress (hence the username "Slowprogress")

The tail panel welded and starting to grind the welds



Closer view of the clean-up



Center done just need to add a few spot welds



Right side done



TIG brazed the seam was a little rough need some more practice !

[MrQuick]

nice work

[TT302Z28]

Looks great to me!

BTW...a little bit of heavy build primer forgives all sins...