Reproduction sheetmetal

[ajwans]

I've had a couple of people mention the trouble they've had sourcing
replacement original sheetmetal for their restorations. This seems to
imply a bias against using reproduction pressings that seem to be
readily available.

I'm planning to use the pressings from Restoration Design for replacement
parts. Is there a bias against using repro steel in restorations
that I should know about before cutting up the car?

Seems to me that replacement steel whether from a wreck or reproduction
are equally non-original. Please excuse my ignorance if this is not the case.

andy

[Gearbox]

I don't think the bias is about originality rather poor fit. From my recent experience, I tried sourcing as many OEM NOS parts I could and relagated myself to reproduction if all else failed. My observations was that the NOS OEM panels fitted with little or no effort. The reproductions, however, was a fight all the way. Some being off so much, I had to litterally chop and weld the panels so they would follow the correct contours. And there was a lot of hammering and tweeking. In the hands of a good bodyman, or if you take your time and trial fit numerious times and cut, hammer, and tweek, you could get them to work. Now with this being said, I recall seeing a complete alloy nose for a 356 made by Restoration design when they were first starting off at a trade show years ago. Very nice work. Seems like they really liked what they were doing and it showed. I haven't seen the 911 parts first hand, but they have to be better than the current repos I got from Stoddard for my restoration. They said they were being made from the original Porsche dies but I have to say, QC was way off. Same thing is true with the new OEM dashes, but that's another story. Bottom line, get NOS if you can and be prepared for some work to fit the reproductions. Let us know how you make out with the RD products. Good luck Allan

[Mr9146]

Stoddard sells trash. Plain and simple. (However, I've grudgingly used their trash when nothing else was available)

Restoration Design is better, but it's not OEM. If you can find it, and afford it, try to purchase FACTORY ORIGINAL.

[Perry911]

Anyone have any experience or recommendations where to get door skin replacements that will fit properly for 69-73 911. OEM's are not availible.
Has anyone gone down this road with success?

Thanks in advance.
Peter

[Gearbox]

Anyone have any experience or recommendations where to get door skin replacements that will fit properly for 69-73 911. OEM's are not availible.
Has anyone gone down this road with success?

Thanks in advance.
Peter

LOL. I fought with one years ago.........I lost. Not even close to fitting. I ended up buying a used door that was rust free for $100. It dropped in flawlessly. NOS or used OEM, save yourself the grief.

[EsGeht]

I got mine from AJ-USA. They fit quite well, but I have to agree that a clean, rust-free door is MUCH less work. If you figure in your/others time/labor the door beats the skin every time.

[Bobboloo]

Dansk stampings are the worst. Avoid them if at all possible.