By null at 2011-10-31
By null at 2011-10-31
That’s right in front of my passenger rear wheel well. The only dent on the whole car, but the previous owner made sure to do it right…
I know the pictures don’t do it justice as far as seeing how deep it is dented. But I have no clue how to get behind this panel to try to work on it.
I’d say just replace the fender. The doorskin could probably be worked out.
I think fixing the quarter panel would be much easier than replacing it as long as there is no significant rust under the wheel opening moulding or behind the rear wheel. If needed there are patch panels available from Don at West Coast Classic Cougar or Johns Classic Cougars that you could use to splice in to fix the damage. The door definitely can be repaired without replacing the door or door skin.
Repairing this isn’t that difficult, but very time-consuming to work the metal properly. Here’s the tool you need: http://www.hsautoshot.com/5500.html
The little t-handle that’s included in this kit is worth its’ weight in gold!
If it was a front fender yeah, unbolt it and replace. But since it’s a rear quarter… MUCH betterto fix that instead of replacing.
I agree, at first glance it looked like a front quarter.
Thanks for the info. I got the el-cheapo stud welder from Harbor Freight. If it lasts for that one project and dies, I am okay with that. Once the car is driving around again, I will get onto the body work.
You know, I think you will get this “one job” out of that el-cheapo. I can’t count(without removing my socks) how many “I’ll get the HF tool, and if it makes it, great!” tools I have, that are still kicking… 
(yeah, I know, foreign made…so sue me)
fordblue, that HF stud welder kit looks like a heckava deal! When I was buying my autobody tools, I bought the expensive stud welder and paint gun, but went for the cheapest porta-power and hammer/dollies I could find with no regrets. One accessory that I think is crucial to restoring the body creases on your car, is #1080 here: http://www.hsautoshot.com/Accessories.html These are around $100 from H&S, but hopefully you can find a similar knockoff elsewhere for cheaper. This particular fixture can be turned around to use the 11-hole or 4-hole sides. Being able to pull multiple studs concurrently will be required when you are restoring/fixing those body creases IMHO. Hoping I can find some photos of my previous bodywork on my 67 to post, might give you a better idea of what’s involved.
Thanks for posting that link. They have some great tools. Body work has always eluded me, but seeing the tools needed helps me understand how it might be possible to start doing more of this stuff.
“Taint no thang” Bill, really! Picture it and make it so.