Looking for some input on whose to buy...need the usual for the '53. I need the panels for behind the front wheels, the patches for in front of and behind both rear wheels, and then the driver's-side outer rocker. cl***ic & obsolete auto parts has some...EMS...Mac's...a bunch of people carry them I guess. Didn't see any on Dennis Carpenter... and maybe all the others get there's made from the same place somewhere else, I don't know. Anyone know anything about the guy, "Rocker King" out of Waukesha, WI? I know non are a perfect fit, but the closer the better obviously. Thanks peeps!!!
I have used Concours Parts and Accessories out of Carson City ,Nv., and Lake Erie Trading Post, Parma, Ohio. Also Surplus Supply Company.
I have used a few different places and many get theres from EMS . I have bought some that were not from EMS and was very unhappy with the product . The lines weren't good at all and the one bottom front fender piece I got looks like it was cut with a chop saw ! Was rough cut and had a bad burs all along the cut line . Some companies don't even use 18 ga. sheet metal either . Some use much thinner metal ! I will pay the price and stay with EMS body parts ! Jim
Very cool. Thanks Jim. I've seen some on ebay claiming they're 16 gauge steel...sounds like a gamble. I don't think OEM was 16 gauge...was it??? Anyway, I was a little hesitant to call EMS considering the reviews of theirs that I've read, but then again people only seem to report "issues" on things more often than not...instead of praise. I definitely value you guys' opinions on here as you've been doing this MUCH much longer than I. Which is why I ask... All a guy can do is load up with as much knowledge and possible and make a decision... So thank you. I appreciate it very much.
I think I got my fender patches from Surplus supply or something along those lines, they were pretty good! If anybody makes a good rocker besides NOS ford replacements, I want to stock pile them.
Yeah! flyboy mentioned that place above as well... I checked them out...seemed decent, but then again what can a guy tell online. ..and some of their pics of items are actually pencil sketches, lol... I'll give a couple places a call and see how they seem over the phone...see what gauge steel they're stamping them in and stuff. I appreciate the tips though guys...sounds like I'll be going with EMS and/or Surplus Supply Company... I'll put up posts of what I get in the mail after my body guy makes his ***essment of them.
Also, if you look hard for NOS steel, there is stuff out there. Through a chain of events I stumbled upon two NOS '53 ford quarters for my car, so just keep an eye peeled for NOS stuff, you never know what you'll find.
Hmph! Never gave that a thought! Good thing to look for just in case somebody has something lying around! Great idea!
NOS parts are crazy priced ! I see them at the Ford Carsile show here in Pa and the prices they want are really way overboard . Just thing how many shows , how many times that so called NOS sheet metal has been loaded and unloaded from their trailer . Anyplace that you buy reman sheet metal from isn't going to be perfect . All the dies are getting old and worn down so you start to loose those crisp lines that the new cars cam with . I have been lucky but still there are now out there that are going to be perfect . I like EMS because they are American made products and 18 ga ! That is the way they were made from the factory . There is a lot of cheaper stuff out there that comes from overseas so you have to be careful on what you buy . There is a lot of thin junk out there . Just remember they are all good , it's just some are a whole lot better than the others ! Jim
There is some truth in NOS brings money (Not as much for these cars yet, but it is starting to rise), and there is truth that is sometimes tweaked by shipping (and that they're sometimes just factory seconds), but despite all that, if you look there are deals out there. The perks of working with NOS sheetmetal. You know its right. It is the EXACT same panel that rotted out on your car, only not rotted out (and in ford primer). Albeit, I got a great deal on my quarters, from a great friend, and I know its a fluke, but flukes happen, so I'd say it never hurts to look.
i just got floor pans rockers and patch over rear wheel very poor. paid for better of two rockers from macs fit very poorly had to cut lower flange and rebend to fit said best rocker maid boy what **** would not recemend parts from macs.
Oh yeah, the macs rockers are pretty poor. They're awfully flat and kind of fit if you close both eyes.
Mac's stuff is about average. I've talked to the owner of EMS personally when he was in my shop. He's a car guy and understands these kind of parts. I've used them and they're better. Don't know about the other brands and suppliers, but EMS is American Made in Michigan and Ohio.
I got my outer rockers from Lake Erie Trading Post. Look to be good quality, 18 gauge with the correct folds and seams. Haven't installed them yet. Also ordered the inner rocker panels from Surplus Supply Co. Look to be 16 gauge. They look like high quality parts.
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