1968 Skylark Custom 4 door hardtop OK, so I've ordered two inner fender panels from two companies with the same listed application and received two different parts. Unfortunately, neither has been correct. One was from Summit (Sherman) that listed 68-74- Nova, Omega,Phoenix,Ventura II,Skylark and Apollo as proper fitment. The other was from Classic 2 Current Fabrication that listed 68-74 Skylark. The Sherman part was close to the original part but not quite. The one from C2C wasn't and they insisted the 68 was an X-body car. I've noticed a LOT of discrepancies in category grouping while looking for parts for this car. Parts are usually listed as 68-74 but I frequently see them listed as 70-74. I think I remember seeing 68-72 as well. I've found a few correct eBay parts for sale (AMD) but they want $240-$290 vs. $80-$125 for what I payed for the "wrong" panels. Does anyone have a link or lead on panel (or an actual panel for sale)? Also, does anyone know why there's so much mix up with this application???
Doug is saying that the '68-'69 inner fender wells are not being reproduced, so whatever you see in a catalog does not exist. If you are reasonably close to Simi Valley, I have a pair from a '69 4 door car. Shipping might be pretty expensive. '68-'69 are different from '70-'72, and '73+ are different yet again.
I think some of the confusion stems from Buick's late Xbody being called a Skylark (after starting life as an Apollo). That lumps the name in with other Xs, notably the Nova. The patch panela that Mike Garrison makes can be grafted onto '68-'69 inners with a little creativity if your problem is under the battery tray. When dealing with vendors who are into selling parts for Chevies and 'oh, it'll fit Buicks too, they're all the same' you get this a lot. You can't restore a Buick from a catalog. Patrick
Best bet buy some clean Calif parts and have them shipped Greyhound bus. Over sized items with zero weight just got about a 40% increase in shipping cost ... DL
