some guy that was all hammered backed into my car into the front left fender. I dont know anything about body work. Is it possible to take the fender off and bend out the dent or do I need to get a new panel from NPD. Do I need any special tools for this job? Its a 72 chevelle.

If you can live with a dented fender...leave it. It adds character. If you want to try to bang it out. Have at it. You aren't going to hurt it. If it is bugging you alot and you are a perfectionist like me.....Buy a new fender.

Just my $0.02

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And on the 7th day god said let there be an engine who's power will never be matched, and loe the Chevrolet big block was born.

It's amazing, after all this time she still runs.

ok...how do i bang out the dent? I dont mind dents either but the dent is making the wheel well a little smaller, mixed with my bad suspension means i scrape my tire when i turn right hard.

My advice would be to find a local body shop and see what they think. Some dents can be pulled out easily while the fender is on the car, depending on the severity. This way you'll have a professional opinion first. Try a few shops. At the same time, you'll get a feel of what's involved in body work and the cost.

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MalibuJerry350
TC Member #1279
Original owner '70 Chevelle.
580,000+ miles on car.
Hey, if it's got wheels, DRIVE IT!
My Chevelle: http://hometown.aol.com/erie614/myhomepage/index.html

Ok... let me explain better, i dont have the money to have someone else do it. I have to get the dent out, I dont know how to do this at all, does anyone have experience with this? One of my friends told me I could use a plunger but he could be b.s.ing. The dent is maybe an inch or two deep and about a foot wide.

you can purchase an inexpensive dent puller from most auto parts shops. Unless your good at bodywork it'll only get the dent out but not look good.

good luck

didn't you say the guy was hammered? if you know he was then you know who he is and his insurance company should be fixing your dent if he backed into you; unless you were illegally parked or something.

You could remove the fender and work on it off the car, remove the inner fender and attempt to get at it or try the screw in type pullers. This will leave holes in your fender however. The suction cup type pullers aren't going to help much on your 72, these cars are made out of real steel not that foil the new cars are stamped out of. A body hammer and dolly can beat it out for the most part but the metal is streached and without using heat shrinking and other trade tricks getting it perfect is not going to happen. Maybe you can find a used fender at a local yard or enthusiast in your area. Will depend on where you live.

I assume the dent is near the wheel opening which means you might have a good shot at it if your get the inner fender out of the way.

Or you could just sell it to me for a couple hundred and I'll have a shell to fix my 70 http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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72 Chevelle and a 70 Chevelle with a crushed roof
ACES # 4051 MCC # 448
TC # 1549 81/70 Cruisers

[This message has been edited by Professor_SS (edited 08-15-2002).]

i learned this cool trick from someone: you get a police sticker somehow and put it on your car. If someone hits you and they look at your car they will see the sticker and think youre a cop. I did this in this situation and the guy left a note with all his info. I'd rather spend the money on the engine than the body, cause the body is gone from rust anyway.

If you could post a pic, that would be great. If it is all rusty, get a new one (or a swap meet one if you know what you are looking for). There is nifty puller that temporarily welds a stud to the metal to pull on - put first you would have to find one, then you would have to take the paint off the fender.

I would just live with it till you have the money to get it done right, or you will just pay twice in the end. My $.02.

Nat