Technical Resolving 1959 Chevy 2dr Rear Quarters

Hi all,

Another Chevy with bad rear quarters. I'm fortunate enough to have the reproduction rear sections, even if they aren't 100% accurate. But my front sections are no good. I've searched all over for parts cars with quality metal, and one may come available but my luck has been poor. I'm considering fabricating my own panels. I believe the body contour is easy enough to make, but the contour of the lip around the wheel arch is concerning. This is compounded by not knowing the wheel arch curvature, my front section is destroyed and unusable for a template.

My question is does the lip of a 1961 2dr match, or similar enough to slightly modify for proper fitment? If not, is there a rear quarter that is more widely available that closely matches the 59?

 

Look up Browns auto salvage in Sunset Texas. They have tons of sheet metal in decent shape. Not positive they have a 59. But they have lots. Know they have a four door.

 

I had to make quarters for an Edsel once, and what I found really helped was to buy a pair of fender skirts. That way, whatever shape I had to build into the wheel opening, I could just make sure it matched the skirts. I think I cut up a '56 Chevy front fender to make the Edsel wheel openings and it turned out pretty decent.

 

All good info, thanks. I'll reach out to those yards to see if they have one available, or know a place that might. Could get lucky. Great reference on the fender skirts. Those I believe I have, and are definitely a good template. I'll have to check to make sure I still have them.

 

Compare photos of the 59, and 57 Chevys.Wheel well openings are very close.If you were going to try making them you might be a head to start with repop 57 sheet metal to make the project easier.

 

Now that is one great idea.

 

Reached out to those yards, no luck on a 2 door. Either way it's nice to have another few parts references in the future. Splicing in a 57 repop is very interesting. I didn't look closely enough at them side by side, but the lip does appear to be very similar. Would be nice to know if someone has gotten away with that and what changes were needed to get proper fitment. I have to cut the outer panel to repair the inner brace in front of the wheelhouse, with that panel out and the factory welding manual I may be able to get an idea of the profile the arch needs to follow. I'm struggling to find my fender skirts, I may have sold them a while back. Would be great to use those...

 

you could have some fun figuring this out. I think the 61 is more likely to have a similar contour, the 57 doesn't wrap under as much, it's a narrow boxy car.

 

Good point there. Looks like the front curve bends in further every few years. 61 appears very similar. Given the challenge in creating that raised lip, I'm tempted to try and hammer and dolly on a repop to get it in line with the original profile.

 

build a drag car instead, radius it, no need for that pesky lip!

 

That would definitely do it!

 

If the wheel arch is the issue, and you need to make a patch regardless, why not start with a 4 door wheel arch? The contour and size of the arch appear the same, the only difference is that it has the dogleg in front cut out for the back door. But I feel like it would be easier to graft the flatter front portion of the patch onto a good wheel arch than try to make the entire arch from scratch.

Am I missing something?

 

In mentioning that I believe it would be a viable option. Up to this point my concern with pulling from a 4 door was the amount of meat in front of that lip is so narrow that it would prove difficult to manage. But going over the other presented options, that is more or less what I'd be starting with anyway. I'll recheck with my yard contacts to see if there are 4 doors with solid steel there.