This is my first post in these forums, but I've owned, loved, and driven a 71 Chevelle Malibu for almost two years. My dad and I had just gotten it back from the paint shop last week when I blew the front driver tire and spun into a steel fence. The block, tranny, and all the electrical are still in great shape, but there is extensive damage to the hood and passenger side fender and quarter panel.

I'm operating on a high school students budget, and although my dad says he is willing to match any money I put into it, I'm having a little trouble figuring out the best place to go to find affordable, quality replacements. Either I find a decent set of replacements in the next few weeks or my beloved Chevy gets the axe. I know she isn't a big shot in the musclecar world, but we've been through a lot together and I can't stand the thought of seeing her stripped and sold. Is my best shot a salvage yard? Maybe eBay? We live in the Dallas, TX area if anyone knows a great place to go within a couple hundred miles.

Sorry to here about you accident that bites.It would be very hard to find anything worth using at a salvage yard and even if you did these guys know what they have and how valuable these parts are, Your best bet is repro panels, they are considerably less then nos. check out our sponsors web site for prices www.396.com.Why would you have to give it the axe? just park it until you can get the money together.

you should be able to get a flat hood for almost free, seems anyone who installs a SS hood cant give the flat hoods away. I don't know about the quarter, but do you guys have a auto shop in school? maybe ask the instructor if they know of a body shop. As for the fender advertise in the classifieds here. Don't expect to buy a NOS fender, just look for something of a driver quality. you my have to install rust panels but if it will bolt up at least your driving. I think newmexguy is always advertising parts, I don't know how far las cruces is to you, but it might be worth the drive. Jim

Check out Lone Star Musle. They are in Forney, close to Rockwall Tx. Very good company. If you call info they should be able to give you their #. I can get their # later if you need it.
Also check www.classicchevroletparts.com 405-631-4400. I got most of my sheet metal from them.

(edit) Here is the toll free # 1.800.354.4040