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I am showing pictures of new inner fenders for my 65, I believe both are nos but question the right? Not for sale, but want to confirm before I install on my car,
the views I am showing are basically the only part you can see once installed
[IMG]https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1124/80-65_left_nos_03862d7ab64f
cb2aa8f0ae46e9cd82f555d43ce4.jpg[/IMG]
Do I have good repos or GM originals?
Last edited by crosskeystv; 03-18-2018 at 07:22 PM.
Seeing how you only posted one photo...I would have to say YES.
Are there any raised numbers of words that were also cast into the part???
When these pats were made...they used steel dies and a press that applied MAJOR pressure...so the 'crispness' of the part can be seen and be detected from that if those press molded parts that other companies make their parts from that use fiberglass molds....which CAN NOT take the pressure as a steel die can.
So the 90 degree bends in the panel of a GM part are much more defined and thus...'crisper'...versus the other companies.
I am looking at the three vents in your fender and where the pocket comes away from the flat panel....that 90 degree bend looks pretty crisp to me....and really uniform.
Seeing how you only posted one photo...I would have to say YES.
Are there any raised numbers of words that were also cast into the part???
When these pats were made...they used steel dies and a press that applied MAJOR pressure...so the 'crispness' of the part can be seen and be detected from that if those press molded parts that other companies make their parts from that use fiberglass molds....which CAN NOT take the pressure as a steel die can.
So the 90 degree bends in the panel of a GM part are much more defined and thus...'crisper'...versus the other companies.
I am looking at the three vents in your fender and where the pocket comes away from the flat panel....that 90 degree bend looks pretty crisp to me....and really uniform.
DUB
thank you for your response, I just posted the 2nd photo, My one question was with the right side the inside louvers appear gray, I think the gray is resin? Not gel coat, but wasn't sure? That is what made me think it was maybe a reproduction?
Both panels have the correct gm part numbers on them
Last edited by crosskeystv; 03-18-2018 at 07:32 PM.
They look more like the new panels made by America’s finest in California. Very high-quality and they make them in that color. I’ve been buying fiberglass panel since the late 60s and even in 1971 65 panels from GM were black. Before that they were either tan, pink, green or light gray. So if there are real NOS they been around since 65 68.
I am showing pictures of new inner fenders for my 65, I believe both are nos but question the right? Not for sale, but want to confirm before I install on my car,
the views I am showing are basically the only part you can see once installed
[IMG]https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1124/80-65_left_nos_03862d7ab64f
cb2aa8f0ae46e9cd82f555d43ce4.jpg[/IMG]
Do I have good repos or GM originals?
IMHO, Sermersheims (now Lee Bumb Composites) made the SAFEST panels as far as fit and paint durability was concerned. All of their panels are resin "rich" which means that the glass strands are completely covered with resin and not visible like yours, original panels, and some other reproductions.
Be careful, because your panels COULD be from Corvette Image. If so I would not use them. There was a long period when they used silicone mold release agent with subsequent blistering of paint occurred. No amount of drying, soaking with acetone and application of extra gelcoat would solve the problem. Contaminated through and through.
Last edited by 65tripleblack; 03-19-2018 at 10:22 AM.
The side panels in your picture are definitely are not made by Sermersheim, Their panels contain way too much resin and there is no Grain on the inside like a NOS or Panels made by America’s finest. I also agree I would never use panels made by corvette Image. Had way too many paint jobs blister with their junk panels on.
Last edited by 65 Pro Vette; 03-19-2018 at 10:18 AM.
I have a 61 all of the panels are a blond color. I bought an NOS lower nose and it looks exactly like your second pic. I'm 100% certain it was NOS as it still has a Rockwell international sticker on it. I agree with Dub the repo stuff wouldn't be that sharp in the corners. The pics that Mike L posted the panels are gelcoated. Yours don't appear to be.
The side panels in your picture are definitely are not made by Sermersheim, Their panels contain way too much resin and there is no Grain on the inside like a NOS or Panels made by America’s finest. I also agree I would never use panels made by corvette Image. Had way too many paint jobs blister with their junk panels on.
There was a problem with the mold release agent on CI panels that caused paint blistering later on - those problems are long since gone.
It still keeps even top bodymen from using them (my guy wouldn't). Sometimes past sins can haunt a product line long past the resolution of the problem
There was a problem with the mold release agent on CI panels that caused paint blistering later on - those problems are long since gone.
It still keeps even top bodymen from using them (my guy wouldn't). Sometimes past sins can haunt a product line long past the resolution of the problem
They never made good for the damage that they caused many people. They only offered replacement panels free of charge. They wouldn't pay for any necessary costs for labor and other materials needed to redo the jobs that were damaged by their defective panels. Not to mention time wasted in laying up cars a second time.
Were you personally affected by their defective products?
They never made good for the damage that they caused many people. They only offered replacement panels free of charge. They wouldn't pay for any necessary costs for labor and other materials needed to redo the jobs that were damaged by their defective panels. Not to mention time wasted in laying up cars a second time.
Were you personally affected by their defective products?
No.... I had a long discussion with David Sokolowski about repro panels and he turned out to be a fan of the current CI products (this is about 18 months ago). Some here may know David. When I suggested those to my bodyman (48 years experience) there was projectile vomiting.
He experienced exactly what you describe about 8-10 years back, a customer's paint job went south because of CI issues and they were no help so he had to eat the cost of the repair....he's refused to use the products ever since
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 03-19-2018 at 06:00 PM.
I still feel that these are GM panels. Just because one is a bit rich in the resin does not make it to where it would not pass quality control and be sold. Keep in mind ..when they made these...they were not worried about what judges would think later on. just saying.
And like I wrote and others have also commented on...the crispness of the part kinda tell me they were made using steel dies.
There is a company that is making the top hood surrounds and other parts and using steel dies and I have seen the top hood surround personally. They are a dead give away and they are JUST LIKE factory panels....because the other top hood surrounds I have used in the past...just do not have the very crisp contours/angles like the facotry ones have....and for me...are a dead give away.
Taking a photo of the lower fender behind the wheel where the rocker panel attaches would also be a great help due to that complex series of curves and bends would also let you know if the panel was made in fiberglass molds or steel dies.
In my opinion...I agree that that these are NOT Lee Bumb Composites parts. I have worked with them and they do not look like anything like this.
Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink
There was a problem with the mold release agent on CI panels that caused paint blistering later on - those problems are long since gone.
It still keeps even top bodymen from using them (my guy wouldn't). Sometimes past sins can haunt a product line long past the resolution of the problem
And many members can now wonder why I did not give the name of the company..... that we all know..... that screwed up rear rotors in a thread I started just letting people to just be aware of what they are getting done. Because IF I had.... it would NEVER be forgotten...even decades later when the problem no longer exists.
I have used and will still use Corvette Image fiberglass and have not had any problems.
And for what this is worth. From when I started doing Corvette repairs all the way up to today. I have lost count on parts and materials that have failed. 99.5% of the time they will replace the defective part and pay no labor claims. On defective materials such as paint/adhesives ....it is toss up on IF they will pay a labor claim. Because as we all know that paint company will do all they can to protect themselves and NOT assume liability and then have it get out there that there is a problem....thus causing an avalanche of claims.
And many of the parts/materials I had had bite me in the backside and caused me to have to do something all over again. I am often times apprehensive on using them again only to get burned again. If I do use them again and they fail again...then I will not use it again and try to find an alternative if possible.
I am not trying to make light of the issue that occurred with CI a long time ago....because it seemed to effect many people. And if you are reading this and you are one of those who were effected...I hate it for you. But there are many things that we all count to last that can fail. Such as polyurethane bushings (for example)...so all we can do is HOPE that whet we get now-a-days is what it needs to be so it will last.
I still feel that these are GM panels. Just because one is a bit rich in the resin does not make it to where it would not pass quality control and be sold. Keep in mind ..when they made these...they were not worried about what judges would think later on. just saying.
And like I wrote and others have also commented on...the crispness of the part kinda tell me they were made using steel dies.
There is a company that is making the top hood surrounds and other parts and using steel dies and I have seen the top hood surround personally. They are a dead give away and they are JUST LIKE factory panels....because the other top hood surrounds I have used in the past...just do not have the very crisp contours/angles like the facotry ones have....and for me...are a dead give away.
Taking a photo of the lower fender behind the wheel where the rocker panel attaches would also be a great help due to that complex series of curves and bends would also let you know if the panel was made in fiberglass molds or steel dies.
In my opinion...I agree that that these are NOT Lee Bumb Composites parts. I have worked with them and they do not look like anything like this.
And many members can now wonder why I did not give the name of the company..... that we all know..... that screwed up rear rotors in a thread I started just letting people to just be aware of what they are getting done. Because IF I had.... it would NEVER be forgotten...even decades later when the problem no longer exists.
I have used and will still use Corvette Image fiberglass and have not had any problems.
And for what this is worth. From when I started doing Corvette repairs all the way up to today. I have lost count on parts and materials that have failed. 99.5% of the time they will replace the defective part and pay no labor claims. On defective materials such as paint/adhesives ....it is toss up on IF they will pay a labor claim. Because as we all know that paint company will do all they can to protect themselves and NOT assume liability and then have it get out there that there is a problem....thus causing an avalanche of claims.
And many of the parts/materials I had had bite me in the backside and caused me to have to do something all over again. I am often times apprehensive on using them again only to get burned again. If I do use them again and they fail again...then I will not use it again and try to find an alternative if possible.
I am not trying to make light of the issue that occurred with CI a long time ago....because it seemed to effect many people. And if you are reading this and you are one of those who were effected...I hate it for you. But there are many things that we all count to last that can fail. Such as polyurethane bushings (for example)...so all we can do is HOPE that whet we get now-a-days is what it needs to be so it will last.
DUB
there’s a part number on the left one but I don’t see a part number on the right one and that’s the one the suspect.
I still feel that these are GM panels. Just because one is a bit rich in the resin does not make it to where it would not pass quality control and be sold. Keep in mind ..when they made these...they were not worried about what judges would think later on. just saying.
And like I wrote and others have also commented on...the crispness of the part kinda tell me they were made using steel dies.
There is a company that is making the top hood surrounds and other parts and using steel dies and I have seen the top hood surround personally. They are a dead give away and they are JUST LIKE factory panels....because the other top hood surrounds I have used in the past...just do not have the very crisp contours/angles like the facotry ones have....and for me...are a dead give away.
Taking a photo of the lower fender behind the wheel where the rocker panel attaches would also be a great help due to that complex series of curves and bends would also let you know if the panel was made in fiberglass molds or steel dies.
In my opinion...I agree that that these are NOT Lee Bumb Composites parts. I have worked with them and they do not look like anything like this.
And many members can now wonder why I did not give the name of the company..... that we all know..... that screwed up rear rotors in a thread I started just letting people to just be aware of what they are getting done. Because IF I had.... it would NEVER be forgotten...even decades later when the problem no longer exists.
I have used and will still use Corvette Image fiberglass and have not had any problems.
And for what this is worth. From when I started doing Corvette repairs all the way up to today. I have lost count on parts and materials that have failed. 99.5% of the time they will replace the defective part and pay no labor claims. On defective materials such as paint/adhesives ....it is toss up on IF they will pay a labor claim. Because as we all know that paint company will do all they can to protect themselves and NOT assume liability and then have it get out there that there is a problem....thus causing an avalanche of claims.
And many of the parts/materials I had had bite me in the backside and caused me to have to do something all over again. I am often times apprehensive on using them again only to get burned again. If I do use them again and they fail again...then I will not use it again and try to find an alternative if possible.
I am not trying to make light of the issue that occurred with CI a long time ago....because it seemed to effect many people. And if you are reading this and you are one of those who were effected...I hate it for you. But there are many things that we all count to last that can fail. Such as polyurethane bushings (for example)...so all we can do is HOPE that whet we get now-a-days is what it needs to be so it will last.
DUB
Please review these, part number is hard to see with camera
I also agree I would never use panels made by corvette Image. Had way too many paint jobs blister with their junk panels on.
Corvette Image problem has been solved a long long time ago - There are MANY MANY MANY TOP restorers using their panels and front ends. Including me. There are lots of TOP FLIGHT and Bloomington Gold cars with Corvette Image panels and front ends. Gerry is a great person and provides an excellent service. In fact a 57 front end in on a car built by Kingdigit. http://www.kindigit.com/gallery/57-corvette/ - A TOP builder in the country.
Crucifying a product for past sins is like says all Fords are bad because of the Pinto. That is small minded and misguided thinking. Especially when they have changed. Most of the panels you buy from Paragon and Corvette Central come from Corvette Image.
03-18-2018, 02:06 PM
65 front fenders are these NOS or repo
