'73 rear quarter different than '72?????????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,088
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From: NC
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
'73 rear quarter different than '72?????????
HI
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF '73 REARQUARTERS ARE THE SAME AS '70-72?
IF THEY ARE DIFFERENT, CAN SOMEONE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCES?
AS ALWAYS, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
BILL SR
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF '73 REARQUARTERS ARE THE SAME AS '70-72?
IF THEY ARE DIFFERENT, CAN SOMEONE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCES?
AS ALWAYS, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
BILL SR
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Plano TX
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
Yes the panels are the same as mentioned.
Not meaning to be a "stickler"
Press-molded is not a generic term. It is specific to a type of process used for manufacturing fiberglass panelks of a certian era(s) of Corvettes.
NOT ALL C3 panels are press molded, because NOT all C3 panels are fiberglass.
You have "presses molded" and RIM (rapid injection molded)
Fiberglass panels like those of the quarters in question are press-molded.
But when GM went to using SMC (sheet molded compound) the process of making them changed also. and also the material and resin. The two are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. This is NOT my opinion...it is FACT.
All C3 panels from the factory were made from molds. a male and female mold..lets say. when put together and gauged they maintained a specific thickness.
BUT the process in making "press molded fiberglass panels" and SMC panels is completely different.
If any want to know more. Look it up on the net or ask meor any Corvette bodyman on the forum. Just trying to inform those correctly instead of allowing an accidental typo so send the wrong message.
"DUB"
Not meaning to be a "stickler"
Press-molded is not a generic term. It is specific to a type of process used for manufacturing fiberglass panelks of a certian era(s) of Corvettes.
NOT ALL C3 panels are press molded, because NOT all C3 panels are fiberglass.
You have "presses molded" and RIM (rapid injection molded)
Fiberglass panels like those of the quarters in question are press-molded.
But when GM went to using SMC (sheet molded compound) the process of making them changed also. and also the material and resin. The two are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. This is NOT my opinion...it is FACT.
All C3 panels from the factory were made from molds. a male and female mold..lets say. when put together and gauged they maintained a specific thickness.
BUT the process in making "press molded fiberglass panels" and SMC panels is completely different.
If any want to know more. Look it up on the net or ask meor any Corvette bodyman on the forum. Just trying to inform those correctly instead of allowing an accidental typo so send the wrong message.
"DUB"
Last edited by grandmastercorvette; Aug 3, 2009 at 06:53 PM. Reason: edit
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
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From: New Hill NC
I know you know your stuff, GrandMaster, but SMC was and is, press molded, as far as Corvette panels were concerned. The first SMC panel was used in `71 and just happens to be that same rear quarter fender. All of the earlier versions of corvette fiberglass that fender came in, polyester glass(1968-69), Gennite 70-71, and SMC (71-73) were all press molded, but used different base materials.
The one injection molded part that comes to mind sold by GM to use on a Corvette body was that 67 BB abortion that they sold over the counter for a time. It was terrible.
The one injection molded part that comes to mind sold by GM to use on a Corvette body was that 67 BB abortion that they sold over the counter for a time. It was terrible.
Last edited by wombvette; Aug 3, 2009 at 10:15 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
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From: New Hill NC
If you would like to see SMC being Made.
This is the company, MFG, that made many panels for the early Corvettes. You will see their logo on lots of midyear panels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXLlDF5DeaU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXLlDF5DeaU
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fremont CA
Starting in 1973 model year Vette body panels were made from SMC (sheet mold compositie material) before that all panels were press mold construction. SMC uses different bonding techniques/chemicals than PM panels, the 2 don't work very well together. Corvette Image in Oregon makes correct style PM panels for our C3 Vettes towards the end of avalabilty GM panels were SMC construction evan for the early C3 panels, you can construct a real "Handgrenade" by combining the 2 types of panels on a Corvette resotration.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Starting in 1973 model year Vette body panels were made from SMC (sheet mold compositie material) before that all panels were press mold construction. SMC uses different bonding techniques/chemicals than PM panels, the 2 don't work very well together. Corvette Image in Oregon makes correct style PM panels for our C3 Vettes towards the end of avalabilty GM panels were SMC construction evan for the early C3 panels, you can construct a real "Handgrenade" by combining the 2 types of panels on a Corvette resotration.
Last edited by wombvette; Aug 4, 2009 at 09:17 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
The processes are different. ONE IS PRESSED the other has resin injected into it. The only reason I know this is that one of my customers made the top hood surrounds for GM and described the process on how it went and how quickly they could make parts. SO SMC is not being pressed together, the molds are joined with the pre- material inside and then the resin is injected so to speak. I called him today to just verify how it was done.
I will watch the video...and eat my words...and stand corrected... if it is anything different. I am able to admit when I am wrong and would be surprised that all these years I have been told an un-truth and thought it was the truth.
"DUB"
I will watch the video...and eat my words...and stand corrected... if it is anything different. I am able to admit when I am wrong and would be surprised that all these years I have been told an un-truth and thought it was the truth.
"DUB"
Le Mans Master
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From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Disclaimer: I'm not a NCRS judge-haven't had an original rear quartered 73 right next to a 72 and I did NOT stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night-
I heard from a knowledgeable original 73 owner that the mufflers on the 73 were larger 7 x 9 oval versus 5 x 9 oval AND the exhaust was CENTERED in the exhaust tips. With these changes- the underneath of the rear quarter was cut in a bit versus the previous years.
So -I'm going to say they were different.... but just slightly...
Richard
PS- I just looked in a Dr. Rebuild catalog and it does list different mufflers and hangers as well as the tips for the 73.
I heard from a knowledgeable original 73 owner that the mufflers on the 73 were larger 7 x 9 oval versus 5 x 9 oval AND the exhaust was CENTERED in the exhaust tips. With these changes- the underneath of the rear quarter was cut in a bit versus the previous years.
So -I'm going to say they were different.... but just slightly...
Richard
PS- I just looked in a Dr. Rebuild catalog and it does list different mufflers and hangers as well as the tips for the 73.
