NOS GM Sheet Metal Old Versus New?

[69L78]

I have been buying NOS 69 Camaro parts for years and always vowed to never buy any NOS GM part with the later version barcode or with the (0) in front of the p/n. I know to always check the NOS quarter panels in the door jamb area to make sure all the impressions are pressed in because the molds are worn out.

I was contacted recently about a gentleman wanting to sell his NOS 69 Camaro parts, my question is for mainly the later version dated 8/17/92. Should I beware of any issues with fit or quality on the following parts. Also, is there a difference in value for the earlier version parts from the late 70's to mid 80's to the later 1988 thru the 90's later version?

Cowl Hood 03949708
Front Valance 03929978
Radiator Support 03962940
Door Skins
Front Std Fenders
Lower Fender Ext

[William]

1983 – 1997 worked with Camaro Parts Exchange in Milwaukee. Vended at Super Chevy shows and many other events throughout the Midwest. The family of the owner, Doug Martz, owned a Chevrolet dealership for decades.

Back in the ‘80s you could get just about anything direct from Chevrolet. Very little repro at the time. When I became involved, there were several NOS ’69 ducted hood pads in stock.

Cowl Hood 03949708
The ‘bow’ of the hood often did not match the fenders. In production, the fenders were matched up with a hood, then the inner fender reinforcements were welded in place. See A2 in the AIM.

Front Valance 03929978
No issues I was aware of, other that they don’t fit repro fenders/extensions well.

Radiator Support 03962940
Heavy wrinkling along the top channel.

Door Skins
The horizontal peak became less well defined as the tooling wore.

Front Std Fenders
Same issue as door skins but much more pronounced. Can always spot a late GM service fender on an old resto.
Very poor fit at the top rear, big gap under the lower windshield molding.
The famous fender droop, easy to fix.
Don’t know about LH but some RH were formed so poorly they couldn’t be mounted to the body.
Very wavy, lots of filler prime/block sanding to mitigate.

Lower Fender Ext
No issues I was aware of, furnished with fenders.

Had a long-time friend who did outstanding body work. When he acquired a CA '68 Z/28 project about 25 years ago, he wouldn't even consider GM replacement fenders. Acquired a pair of assembly line West Cost fenders. To prove his point he mounted, aligned and gapped one of them, maybe took a few minutes.

You didn’t ask but…

LH coupe quarter panel
Poorly formed at the rear body panel, almost too long for the car. Mine were installed by a shop that built Street Rods from a pile of steel and were able to re-form.

Trunk Lid
Don’t fit worth a crap. Also, the service replacement lid was made off different tooling, not used in production. Punched hole where the jacking instruction label was applied.

Cowl vent grille
We foolishly painted it without pre-fitting. Had to bend it to fit, paint cracked of course.

Rear bumper
For a short time, they were missing one of the bumper bolt holes on the LH side.

Rear license plate mount
Serviced with the '73-up X-body part. Fit but not even close in appearance to the '69 production part.

BB chrome rocker covers
Lousy chrome, later version with the push-in rubber plug oil cap.

'68 Z/28 rocker covers
Superseded by chromed '69s. Duh...

12 bolt axle cover
Serviced with the '70-up style, notched for the brake hose bracket.

Rear spring anchors
Serviced with the '70-up style with sway bar brackets. Just cut them off.

Emblems
69 rally-sport fender emblem, clear coat full of dirt.
69 fender ‘396’ emblem was serviced with the ’70 Nova part. Not even close.
67 fender Camaro badges so warped they would break during installation.
True production ’67 rally-sport grille and headlamp covers weren’t serviced, replaced with ‘68s. Same for the 67 front bumper.

Cracks me up when I see 'NOS' this and that.

[Billohio]

Thats a great list and handy to have. Thanks William

[enio45]

wow - and we thought nos was nos!! great info

[John Brown]

William.... that list is worth gold.

[69L78]

Thanks William for your time, that is way more information than I expected.