[Bryan59EC]

This is kind of aimed at MartinSR, as he replied to a post in another forum.

But please, anyone, please feel free to reply.

Was curious as to how many of you have found body damage to your cars that appeared to be mangled at the factory.

My 59 has damage to the driver side cowl area behind the fender, close to the door. Never wrecked car--all original outer body panels.

Upon removing the carpets from my 66 Elky, I noticed a big dent in the toeboards on the passenger side of the car. Again, never wrecked original sheetmetal thru-out. I actually got a 2x4 and a 5lb sledge to semi-straighten it back out a bit.

A bit higher---even running into the heater box mounting area, is a rather large dent. Even tho these dents are in line with the outlet of the exhaust manifold, way too big to have been caused by rough engine exchange.
(original 327 replaced with a 307)

On both cars, this looks like possible cradle damage on the assy. line

Being somewhat familiar with the work habits of the Fremont plant where the 66 was built, I can understand this. (the Elky was also from the VERY end of the production run for 66 A-bodies)

Got a few pics---might not be all that clear
Take note of my fender to A-pillar gap on the passenger side.
A-pillar welded to winshield cowl---windshield cowl welded to dash top.
The A-pillar is not parallel to the rear edge of the fender.
Has not been worked on before-----might fix this when I have the windshield reveals repaired.

Bryan

Bryan

[poncho62]

I worked for a few years at an AMC plant................we had guys called "repair men".....................for the reasons of which you speak.

[Bryan59EC]

Originally Posted by poncho62

I worked for a few years at an AMC plant................we had guys called "repair men".....................for the reasons of which you speak.

(Giggle)

Oh---that first pic is the 59 in the avatar

the second pic is part of the dent from the inside--(just hosed down the inside---that's why it is wet looking)

The third is hard to see----but just under the heater plenum----BIG BOO BOO

Bryan

[MARTINSR]

Bryan, apon seeing your pictures, I don't know if these cars havn't been hit before. On the 59, look to see if there is a brace behind the fender that doens't match up with the damage on the cowl. It could have been done during assembly just by hitting the cowl with the front clip assy as it was being installed. But I have a feeling the fender has been replaced on this car and the old one was mashed against that cowl panel. The firewall on the 66, again, I will look at my Skylark but I think that is damage from the wheel well coming back into it from a front end hit. The windshield post to fender, that looks pretty normal for these cars, most all had a poor fit, that is all that is. But again, it is on the same side as the fire wall damage hmmmmmm.

Brian