Lower deck lid panel

[gdmn852]

Started working on outside lower deck panel, mentioned on deck led fit post, didn’t want to hijack original so created this one . Notice that the repro panel was almost flat across the top ,I removed the inner channel at the top of both and original panel, not held in by much a few spot weld on an angle tab at the side. Inserted the original into the crimped over slot that is at top of panel made up some angles to weld to , increasing to bow to 1 and 1/4 at center of panel. Another solution would be if you have an English wheel more bow could introduced . Still working on fit to deck lid will up date later.

[wrndln]

What you definitely need is an original stiffener support piece that is formed correctly compared to the cheesy repros. I went through this same thing as you when I tried to use a repro lower panel, as I thought I could never find a decent original panel. It caused a large gap in the middle between the panel and my original trunk lid. After looking for a long time, I found an original lower panel that worked great and lined up perfectly with the lid, but with some TLC to make it nice again. The repro stiffeners are almost flat like you stated and made of thinner metal than the original stiffeners. They just don't work without serious effort. BTW, You need to use a vertical stiffener if you plan to use a rear spare tire bracket.

Rusty Nelson

[gdmn852]

Hello, thanks for the reply,the car has side mounts , could only imagine someone mount the spare tire on repro and have it bend back . I also found had to make some cuts on mounting flanges to decrease bow to fit quarter panel.The original channel bracket is much heavier than repro , add further updates as I work on it . Thanks again.

[rotorwrench]

If you guys wouldn't mind, I'm really curious about the metal thickness of both the spare mounting reinforcement and the rear panel stiffener. Ford used 15 to 16 guage for a lot of those reinforcements but mine are long gone. I can fabricate them if I have to but need approximate thickness.

A lot of the old coupes & roadsters end up with home made panels that don't look or fit right. I know my old coupe was cobbled and I need to fix it right.

[wrndln]

Rotorwrench,
I can mic out the stiffening part and the vertical spare tire bracket tomorrow and post it here. Like you mentioned, I suspect it is 16 gauge, maybe 14 gauge. Both are pretty beefy.
Rusty Nelson

[gdmn852]

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Hello again, have the repro panel fitted with the original channel, have more clearance so deck lid opens better, but now have too much bow , gap is uneven and large, deck lid is a repro,so probably part of problem. Will order the two rear spare reinforcements from Snyders and go from there.

[wrndln]

gdmn852,
If you are referring to the vertical spare tire support bracket, I have one I don't need. I attached a couple pictures of it. It is a repro, but it look correct.
Rusty Nelson

[gdmn852]

I would be interested, how can we work it out .Thank You Gary

[wrndln]

Gary,
I am sending you a PM with my email address. I can send you more pictures if you like. Vendor sell the bracket for $55 plus shipping. I can do better than that. If you are still interested, sent me back an email.
Rusty Nelson

[gdmn852]

Measured the thickness of the replacement bracket, about.075 if that helps.

[jw hash]

the original lower panels are 1/4" taller in the middle. the reproduction panels are flat across the top.

[gdmn852]

That would explain the poor fit on lower deck lid to trunk , probably have weld up the center upper edge and refit to trunk .