Fixing Original vs. Replacing Aftermarket

My take on the issue is that a large part of the classic car parts business is made up of DIYers, who would be first and foremost concerned with price. So it doesn't make sense for manufacturers of these parts to invest a lot in making the parts perfect, since to do so would make them cost a lot more, especially at first. Professionals would probably prefer to pay a large premium for parts that are exact fit (I would) and the technology exists to make them, but the market would be too small and risky to make the large tooling investment.

As far as OEMs selling their original tooling, I've heard that story since the 80's, but have seen no evidence whatsoever that it's true. In my opinion, OEs would rather scrap their dies than let anyone make money off of them.
 
Not really, this do it yourselfer would have preferred getting all the parts from the same manufacturer, since, like AMD writes, there is test fitting involved. But some parts are only made by AMD, so now knowing the parts they make and test fit and what they dont bother to make but still want to sell are two different things. When their full quarters are 550 and Goodmarks are 275, it eventually adds up. Its when you buy what you think is an AMD part, like the gutters, and you get them in a bag from Classic Industries, and lost their shape because they were probably stuffed in a container with other parts, just makes you wonder how many are really doing it. Yes, I saw the Powernation shows where they went to their off shore plant and they were stamping parts. I thought it was india though.

either way, nothing just bolts on. reshaping fenders, adding some inter structure to cowl hoods because they are bowed front to back and dont match up to the tops of fenders (I guess ours were on the bottom of the stack) there are countless hours in fitting them. The only advantage you have is at least there wont be rust popping thru next summer on that spot I missed that I spent 60 hours trying to use the original..
 
I agree with Crash's assessment for "most DYIs" as the price difference can be a deal killer.

Having restored a few cars at this point in my life, for others and myself, I can say that often people pick cars that they are fond of or have a sentimental attachment to. They do not look at the value of the car when finished and then weigh the cost to get it restored, they just pick one and forge ahead.

This leads to a collision course (pun intended) of desire and financial ability for many. They find out their car needs x,y,z replaced and the cost of the panels and labor to install them and bang - reality steps in. It is usually at this point they start shopping around and come back with "this place sells the same thing a lot cheaper."

Now in picking my own vehicles to restore, I will look at the NADA values and the asking prices of a completely restored car and then evaluate the cost to get the vehicle I am looking at into that condition.

My latest project, a 1968 Plymouth GTX, wasn't actually my first choice. I had found a 1966 Pontiac GTO, 4 speed car for sale locally and it came with a Tempest donor car that had a racing suspension under it. The problem was that the GTO would cost about the same as the GTX to restore but was worth nearly $20,000 less when finished.
 
"Our “AMD” branded parts are produced in Taiwan, but we do all of our development work and test fitting here in Georgia."

"In house" still means in Taiwan. AFAIK they don't stamp anything here. AMD and Goodmark are the same company. Anyone remember the Goodmark Instalation Center in Georgia? It is now the AMD Installation Center. Mig 'Em Up and send them out the door. Everything Goodmark sells is Taiwan stampings. I still maintain almost everything AMD, Goodmark Dynacorn, etc sells is from 2 different places in Taiwan. TongYang Group (TYG) and the other name escapes me at the moment. Some is better than others, but nearly all of it requires work to fit right and the metal is most definitely lower quality. I helped another guy a few years ago get a Dynacorn Mustang body sorted and that thing was junk. Maybe they are doing better now but it was a mess. It was especially noticeable when you had an original beside it. Very few of the lines were crisp, certain detail wasn't there.

If you are into Hot Rods, Brookville Roadster in Ohio produces outstanding stuff. Every part they make for a 32 Ford will fit nearly perfectly on a stock original car. I highly recommend anything that comes from them.
 
I can only go by my experience and the Goodmark quarter panels I bought for my '68 Coronet were junk. The side marker locations were off by 3" from one side to the other, the body line on the right quarter should have come into the center of the side marker but was 3/4" of low. Ended up leaving the original metal with side marker holes and cutting the new quarters to fit.

Later, when working on a '65 Buick Special Convertible I had to replace the floor pans and one support brace. Ordered the brace from AMD and it fit perfectly and appeared much better in quality, the floor pans were Goodmark and the center seam was perfect from the rear to between the bucket seats and then began to drift apart over 2" wide at fire wall. I ended up cutting and welding a wedge of metal in to fill the gap.

Would be great if I could find a place like the Brookville Roadster you mentioned that makes panels for a '68 Mopar.
 
It seems to me the original question is; do customers appreciate the time put in to save original metal vs putting on replacement stuff? I think this will vary widely by customers and should be brought up in an honest discussion with the customer. There are those of us that are informed and value the craftsmanship and hard work it takes to save original metal and those who just finished watching one of the 2 week car "builds" on Velocity.

If I had the means to drop off a car with one of you guys I would want to save as much original metal as possible knowing that it increases the cost and I'd happily pay. Then there's the guy who will say "my cousin said a new quarter was $300.00"...
 
Pretty sure AMD and Goodmark are not the same company. Goodmark is owned by Keystone as far as I know. The installation center is an independent business as far as I know.

Don
 
Pretty sure AMD and Goodmark are not the same company. Goodmark is owned by Keystone as far as I know. The installation center is an independent business as far as I know.

Don

I am not saying they are the same companies, just that the "common" parts are made by something completely independent from both and there is an order to choosing the inventory. Maybe Goodmark gets all of it and allows people to choose, or just decide what is too far off and sell it down the line to the unknown names. They cant scrap it once its here and out of the container. I trust that AMD and Goodmark makes parts, but I highly doubt Tri Plus, Golden Legion or whatever other uncommon name are running plants in Taiwan or india too. Maybe the plant stamping good mark have side deals, I dont know. My point was, I just hoped that sticking with one would make fitment easier, but then you get boxes from them that are not their parts. Now, Goodmark runs out so there is a piece of tape with goodmark on it on the golden legion printed box?

As far as the cuzzin with the 300.00 quarter response, its 300 of new metal just like if the fabricator started with a 300.00 sheet of metal and started to make a quarter. The sales deal is even though it is a new panel, there are still going to be hours involved fitting it, before we even start attaching it. Either way, its still a crap shoot.
 
I am not saying they are the same companies, just that the "common" parts are made by something completely independent from both and there is an order to choosing the inventory. Maybe Goodmark gets all of it and allows people to choose, or just decide what is too far off and sell it down the line to the unknown names. They cant scrap it once its here and out of the container. I trust that AMD and Goodmark makes parts, but I highly doubt Tri Plus, Golden Legion or whatever other uncommon name are running plants in Taiwan or india too. Maybe the plant stamping good mark have side deals, I dont know. My point was, I just hoped that sticking with one would make fitment easier, but then you get boxes from them that are not their parts. Now, Goodmark runs out so there is a piece of tape with goodmark on it on the golden legion printed box?

As far as the cuzzin with the 300.00 quarter response, its 300 of new metal just like if the fabricator started with a 300.00 sheet of metal and started to make a quarter. The sales deal is even though it is a new panel, there are still going to be hours involved fitting it, before we even start attaching it. Either way, its still a crap shoot.

My comment was not in response to you....
 
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