Body panel fit
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Body panel fit
It may be just me, but have any of you noticed that your hood/fenders/lights/fascia don't fit together real well?
The gap between them is not very consistant. Nobody else seems to notice, but it drives me crazy
Has anybody tried to adjust these, the bumper/fascia to the hood/light seems to be the worst?
The gap between them is not very consistant. Nobody else seems to notice, but it drives me crazy
Has anybody tried to adjust these, the bumper/fascia to the hood/light seems to be the worst?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Prescott Valley AZ
They can be adjusted somewhat.
If you really want them to align better it will take a lot of time and patience. All the panels can be loosened and moved then retightened. I watch my body shop do it when my Tiger Shark mods were being done. Of course nothing is perfect but again they can align some. 
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: South Jordan UT
It bothered me for a while also, especially after parking next to my Audi or even my Wife's Nissan and comparing fit and panel gaps. Have to slap myself and remember - it's still a just a C H E V R O L E T
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I've noticed some slight fitment issues with respect to various panels and gaps, but when I want to see perfect gaps and paint, I just look over to the Jaguar parked next to the 'Vette. When I want to smile and go for a fast drive, its no contest. Both cars make me very happy for different reasons, and I accept each for what they are, in spite of their respective idiosycracies, faults and character. 
Last edited by JMc; Feb 26, 2006 at 02:56 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: TX
I noticed that my doors sit about 1/8" too high for the front fender, so it looks odd. I've never seen another vette with this particular mis-alignment but it's hard to notice...
Everything else on the car lines up pretty damn good. I may try to have that fixed but I am afraid it will end up looking worse. Both sides are identical too.
Everything else on the car lines up pretty damn good. I may try to have that fixed but I am afraid it will end up looking worse. Both sides are identical too.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero California
You are looking a panel gaps??? On a 'Vette??? why?
Corvettes have NEVER had good panel alignment. The plastic construction does not lend itself to perfect panel fit. Its rather a mark of charactor, I think.
The Vette is an amazing car, the technology that is present, the performance, the comfort, and the looks... all well ahead of anything near its price class. So the panel fit isn't perfect... what would you trade to have it better? The car is built to a price point, and we all know it gives great value for the money. When its 30 years old, and people are paying silly money to restore them, thats when you will see good panel fit.
Corvettes have NEVER had good panel alignment. The plastic construction does not lend itself to perfect panel fit. Its rather a mark of charactor, I think.
The Vette is an amazing car, the technology that is present, the performance, the comfort, and the looks... all well ahead of anything near its price class. So the panel fit isn't perfect... what would you trade to have it better? The car is built to a price point, and we all know it gives great value for the money. When its 30 years old, and people are paying silly money to restore them, thats when you will see good panel fit.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Kearney NE
Originally Posted by bomax
I noticed that my doors sit about 1/8" too high for the front fender, so it looks odd. I've never seen another vette with this particular mis-alignment but it's hard to notice...
Everything else on the car lines up pretty damn good. I may try to have that fixed but I am afraid it will end up looking worse. Both sides are identical too.
Everything else on the car lines up pretty damn good. I may try to have that fixed but I am afraid it will end up looking worse. Both sides are identical too.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
yeah ... the C5s are pretty crooked all over. The C5 is actually a bit worse than both of my 1996 C4s were ... go figure.
Hood and doors are the worst, but the back hatch has also very uneven gaps (much less in the back than both sides).
Hood and doors are the worst, but the back hatch has also very uneven gaps (much less in the back than both sides).
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by Alex D
yeah ... the C5s are pretty crooked all over. The C5 is actually a bit worse than both of my 1996 C4s were ... go figure.
Hood and doors are the worst, but the back hatch has also very uneven gaps (much less in the back than both sides).
Hood and doors are the worst, but the back hatch has also very uneven gaps (much less in the back than both sides).
Just remove an reinstall. Now, as mentioned above, in doing so you may be able to realign the panels. This maneuver DOES help! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
Yeah the fit bugs me, but check out the price of body parts for a c5 to a c4, and ease of install. I can live with it.
Try puttin a front fender on a 78, painted for 300.00. Not going to happen. I will live with the gap. Randy
Try puttin a front fender on a 78, painted for 300.00. Not going to happen. I will live with the gap. Randy
Last edited by randy814u; Feb 27, 2006 at 12:39 AM.
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The areas you mention can be a problem - takes a little patience and time to get things lined up just right. Still may have some differences in the gaps, but a good shop can get them very close.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,957
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From: Witness Protection Program Somewhere, USA
Originally Posted by Spikehorn
It may be just me, but have any of you noticed that your hood/fenders/lights/fascia don't fit together real well?
The gap between them is not very consistant. Nobody else seems to notice, but it drives me crazy
Has anybody tried to adjust these, the bumper/fascia to the hood/light seems to be the worst?
The gap between them is not very consistant. Nobody else seems to notice, but it drives me crazy
Has anybody tried to adjust these, the bumper/fascia to the hood/light seems to be the worst?
