Topic: 1991 camaro body damage

[camarobuyer86]

 If you're familiar with the Camaro "F-body," it doesnt have conventional quarter panels in the rear, but has one continous body.   My camaro has body damage on the passenger side rear-quarter area forward of the wheel well.   The door has damage as well.    With this type body design of the camaro,, can a body shop still pound out the rear quarter, or is it much more  expensive and labor intensive than conventional quarter panels that (on other cars) fit like a puzzle piece into a "seamed" area?    As for my door,  It opens and closes, the window is not broken, the window rolls down to the point where the door skin is bashed in.  I guess I could get a new door skin, with all the trim and ground effects?  right?  Ive seen some internet sites with door skins for sale.  I would go to a body shop, but my internet surfing was to give myself some idea of replacement parts, etcetera.

[barrie1]

If you have a damaged door I would tour the wreckers 1st to get a replacement. AS far as the Qt panel goes a good body shop can either reskin it or pound it out somewhat and then refinnish it again. All of the stickers and stripes for your car are available online if you shop right for a reasonable price. You have to make a decision on how much you will spend on this car and how long you intend to keep it soon. Is this car worth spending 2-3 thousand dollars on for a real good body job tp keep it going for another 5-8 years from now to you. All makes and models reach a point where do you fix it up or let it go for something else. Its your pocket and your mind to make up. 

[camarobuyer86]

 thanks for your response, barrie.   what would you guess a new 1991 camaro door would cost?   Would it have to be a new door?  couldnt be just a door "skin?"  The smashed door opens and closes, with some 2 to 5 % affect from a little body frame bening underneath the quarter panel.    A shop today quoted me $1500 labor cost.   Parts he didnt know.  Said he would have to call his suppliers for the door price.  And Im thinking if a shop can just put a new door on, I can get the quarter panel work done at another time. to split the cost.     Heres what Im thinking.   What is the car worth with the damage?  Ill get beaten down for pennies if I try to sell it.   A used car that I buy for the price of this repair is a gamble.     This camaro was bought with 102000 miles, till i had the recent mishap.  decent handling.  no problems 6000 miles later, except for an accident.   Repair seems the way to go here.     

[barrie1]

I would think another door from the wreckers would be the way to go as it should be in good shape down your way and a heck of a lot cheaper to replace then a skin on the door. A lot less labour to install and line up. Up here it would be probably around $200. to $400. for a good door for that vintage of car. The milage is not that bad as these cars are good for many more and the $1500. qouted for a body job . You have to decide just how long you want to drive this vehicle and work with your pocket as well. Most people get bored with their  car before its totally worn out.