1967 rear exhaust valance fitment

[Al M.]

I looked but saw no posts for anything related to how the rear exhaust panel fits in between the rear fenders. I just bought an nos panel. When dry mounting before paint, it appears to be fine on left but the panel needs to be bent a little to fit inside the fender on the right. Is this normal? Is this ok? All the bolt holes line up ok but its a tight fit on that side. Does anyone see this as an issue.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1967 rear exhaust valance fitment

I looked but saw no posts for anything related to how the rear exhaust panel fits in between the rear fenders. I just bought an nos panel. When dry mounting before paint, it appears to be fine on left but the panel needs to be bent a little to fit inside the fender on the right. Is this normal? Is this ok? All the bolt holes line up ok but its a tight fit on that side. Does anyone see this as an issue.

I don't think it's normal, but can you see any repairs on that side on the rear qtr panel?

[Al M.]

Re: 1967 rear exhaust valance fitment

I looked inside the qtr and all seems original. I wonder if the piece is defective.

[Douglas L.]

Re: 1967 rear exhaust valance fitment

Hey Al,

Try fitting the outside edges of the valence panel first. If you try to put the middle in and then the sides, the panel will act like it doesn't want to fit. I have always found the panel needs a little bending and coaxing to fit. It's better to have a tight fit rather than loose.

[Philip A.]

Re: 1967 rear exhaust valance fitment

I looked but saw no posts for anything related to how the rear exhaust panel fits in between the rear fenders. I just bought an nos panel. When dry mounting before paint, it appears to be fine on left but the panel needs to be bent a little to fit inside the fender on the right. Is this normal? Is this ok? All the bolt holes line up ok but its a tight fit on that side. Does anyone see this as an issue.

Al
I am not a body or fiberglass expert. However, I have read enough posts here where folks talk about fiberglass shrinkage and moving over years of drying, and varies from part to part and car to car from fiberglass orientation and to resign ratio. Who knows when an NOS panel was made relative to the car and how it was stored, which will make the shape take a set. I think any perfect fit of replacement panels is pure luck, the rare exception and some fitment adjustment the normal. Realize that on metal bodied cars, panel fitment is also necessary.
Phil