This was discussed a bit in the Fuzzy Dice thread. What was mentioned was, in 68 and most likely 67 the rear quarter panel wheel opening was flat - no lip if you had skirts. I've seen these cars both ways but mostly with the lip. My 68 2+2 did originally come with skirts according to GM docs. I always assumed the reason my rear chrome never fit right was just bad body work. This is interesting. You wouldn't think GM would make two different quarters for the same model car. Can someone verify this and are other years the same as well?
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'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).
This is a very interesting question, that I have no answers for.
I wondered, if you ordered skirts then you got a smooth wheel well profile and if you didn't order shirts, you got wheel well with a flair/lip. But then I discovered that it seems the stainless steel moulding only fits on the smooth wheel well profile. I've seen pictures of both wheel well profiles and it's true that any aftermarket quarters only come with the flair. I also wondered if the wheel well opening was different between US and CDN cars, but they are truly the same.
All I know is, I want to have the option of putting my fender skirts back on, so I'll have to get a good metal guy/gal to rework my openings to fit.
This is a very interesting question, that I have no answers for.
I wondered, if you ordered skirts then you got a smooth wheel well profile and if you didn't order shirts, you got wheel well with a flair/lip. But then I discovered that it seems the stainless steel moulding only fits on the smooth wheel well profile. I've seen pictures of both wheel well profiles and it's true that any aftermarket quarters only come with the flair. I also wondered if the wheel well opening was different between US and CDN cars, but they are truly the same.
All I know is, I want to have the option of putting my fender skirts back on, so I'll have to get a good metal guy/gal to rework my openings to fit.
Regards, Scott (LandShark ...)
Well I know of two 68's for sure that have the flair/lip opening with the chrome moulding fitting perfect. And mine with the flat edge not so good. That's why I thought I was missing the lip due to body work. Weird your chrome doesn't fit properly. Maybe we need to swap chrome. Lol
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'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).
My brother had a 1966 Pontiac Strato Chief 4 door which had the flat fender lip without flare. I had a 1967 Pontiac Parisienne 4 door which had the flat fender flare. I have also had a 1968 Pontiac Laurentian 4 door, a 1968 Parisienne 2 door sport coupe and a 1968 Pontiac Parisienne 2+2 2 door sport coupe all with the flat fender flare .
I bought after market replacement half quarter panels made by Trans Canada and they HAD flared wheel openings which never came CLOSE to the profile of my factory fender skirts. I would say that referencing Occam's Razor that only replacement panels employed flared wheel openings. I see no reason US cars would be different.
Occam's Razor states that the most obvious solution is generally the correct one.
I'll look up my MPC tonight and see if there were differences in part numbers. I can't imagine they would have made it different if for no other reason that fender skirts were a very popular dealer option so they had to fit on all cars.
don't know about the 67 or 68 but I would assume it still holds true, but 65 and 66 only had the stepped lip from the factory, the flat lip is only through the after market and nothing fits right, I have original quarters from GM to use as molds and everthing fits right
I have a pair of NOS quarter panels for the convertible- not yet installed. I could shoot some close up pics of the wheel opening edge if anybody wants me to.
Ok. I'll get out to the garage soon and dig Them out for pics. In the meanwhile, Here is a close up of a pic I already had on my iPhone. I'll go to my PC to post the new pics and they will be larger.