Shouldn't a patch panel be better than this?

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by ChevyRacefan

Lets talk about "N.O.S." parts. They don't fit either. Nothing like paying through the nose for a part you think will fit as it was stamped by the original supplier. but no. Much of the n.o.s. was Assembly line rejected part.
Meaning the part failed Q/C at the factory, but boxed and sold as a service replacement part.
I have seen "N.O.S." BODY PARTS that don't fit, line up, and need hours of work to make fit correctly, and character lines, body lines line up.
On vehicles that were never hit, but panel is being replaced from rust.
Again, Go price a rear quarter for a o.e.m. new g.m. car or a bed side for a new truck, then look at what the reproduction parts for the 40's-87 cars and trucks Cost.
YOU would not be in this classic vehicle hobby if the parts producers made parts that needed almost zero work to install, and charged accordingly .
Only those that have money to burn would own classic vehicles. As the cost would be A lot higher to restore and keep on the road.
I can buy a 1969 c-10 drivers door shell for 399.99 , A 2019 Camaro door shell is 1114.65 . What would happen if the reproduction body producers, decided to make a o.e.m. assembly line quality body parts? and charged the same 1114.99 for a drivers side door shell for a 1969 c-10?
1) No one would buy them
2) You would repair the old dented and rust filled old door, and pay the body shop the shop rate of 125.00 an hour to fab up a patch, weld it in, body work it, prime it, sand it, block it, And have 800.00+ into a not even in paint old door.
I know why reproduction parts are not going to fit. We as a whole in the old vehicle hobby would never buy parts that fit as the cost of the part would be a lot higher than they currently are. They would be inline with what that new Camaro door cost.
The vendors can't even move the repopped parts without offering sales all the time, or free shipping, or a 15-20% off coupon.

That is some awesome insight to the industry. They used to make those big finned Cadillacs just so Detroit could sell you more metal.

That was the name of the game in the early 50's thru the 70's. Heck I like driving a hunk of rusted metal around town.