Trunk, lower rear quarter replacement 1971 GS Skylark

I have a 1971 skylark GS that I bought about 4 years ago that Im finally getting started and couldnt be more excited.. This is my first major restore that ive tackled and I want to make sure Im being thorough.. The trunk, rear quarters(lower only) and piece below the rear window are rotted out and will have to be replaced. I worked in a body shop for a long time but havent tackled anything this large before and I just wanted to see if anyone had any tips/hints when cutting out and replacing these panels.. Also what is the piece of the body called that sits below the rear window? I thought it was a rear valance but I cant find the replacement parts for it.

 

I believe it is called the trunk filler panel.

 

I just checked and thats coming up as a piece thats actually in the trunk.. Im talking about the small metal panel that sits just below the rear window that is infamous for rusting out on skylarks, chevelles, monte carlos, cutlass', etc.. Someone tried using fiberglass to repair it before and it looks like it made it worse.. Its completely rotted out.o No:

 

Consider checking again.uzzled:

 

Found it, its called a rear deck filler panel.. Is the trunk filler panel the piece that fits below this one inside the trunk?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/70-71-72-Sk...k-Trunk-Filler-Panel-/360195958932#vi-content

 

Also known as tulip panel.

 

Make contact with Mark Reeves, a member here. He sells an excellent repro. rear deck filler panel. Cut the old one out at the factory welds. This includes the lower window channel & the return on the rear package shelf. New one will go in very easy, excellent fit. You can sacrifice the old one by cutting the top off in some spots behind the window channel. This will allow easier access to the welds.Have a good look before you make any cuts as towards the outsides another stamped piece is very close to the underside.
Did this to my own car 3 years ago. I'm not a body man but aside being from very dirty, pretty easy job.

 

I believe this is what your looking for see link below, if not it's great how to article on how to replace the panel below the filler panel.
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=90010&highlight=rusty

 

Perfect, thanks guys! The only filler piece I could find came from a place out of illinois for around 230$ and it was only the outer skin piece.. At this point I have to assume the inside panel is in bad shape too, Im gonna remove the window and get it opened up tonight.. Im anxious to see if it all has to be replaced. Also just FYI but I found company called MCHP that sells just the lower rear quarter section for around 110$, this beats the hell out of 500$-700$ for a complete if you dont need it. heres the link on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-1972-S...l:Skylark&hash=item19cdb34b93&vxp=mtr:3gears:

 

Thats pretty much exactly the same scenario.. Was there any more posts on the trunk replacement that you know of?

 

Ill see if I can find him on here. Based on the post below yours it doesnt look like more than a 4-8 hr job so Im hoping the worst part is just finding the part in the first place.

 

I don't know of any other updates on this ?
The lower panel will need to be from a donor car, never seen a repo of this piece.

 

From what Ive seen Chevelles, cutlass', GTO's and Monte carlos would all work?

 

Mark Northcutt - Carmantx on the board from Texas would probably have the piece underneath. He has been parting out Skylark of that vintage.

 

if the panel is only rotted around the rear window lip which is very common in A body GM cars and you dont want to replace thee whole panel the repair is not that difficult......i have this repair on my website at performancemetalshaping.com and is listed under rear window repair.......the repair was done on a 72 chevelle......the demo shows the sharp contours done by a shrinker/stretcher but the contours can be made by making pie cuts in the angle piece and welding the cuts......if you have any questions i will be glad to walk you through it the phone number is on the website

 

Classic-2-current has them for $55
http://c2cfabrication.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=3_42_115&products_id=10573

 

Heres what it looks like. Its got pitting everywere but no holes and most of the rust came off pretty easily with a wire brush. The bottom of it looks great, I dont think Ill have to replace it.

 

Looks like you will just need to replace top panel only , clean bottom panel and prime and paint or use a rust protection coating.

 

Yeah Im going to use a rust treatment on the whole thing and prime and paint. I still have to cut out and replace the trunk and lower quarters so I got a long ways to go..

 

Try to do one section at a time so it doesn't become a major job, I'am in the same situation and taking on one small project at a time given the time and money to do it.