Probably been answered before but can someone tell me if the lower quarter panel to rocker panel seam should be filled and smoothed over on an early 71 Duster? I have a couple 73s and the seam is definetly not smoothed over on either of them but the seam on the 71 is, and it appears to be leaded smooth from the factory. If anyone out there with a factory 70-71 can take a look at the seam on their car and let me know it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Are you looking to do it as the factory did it? If not, here's what I did......I welded metal in there and finished it off with Evercoat metal filler. Didn't want to mess with lead, and didn't want 3/8 thick filler.
Thanks, Yes, I`m trying to duplicate it the way the factory did it in 71. Just looking to see if anyone has some pics of a factory seam or no seam on a 71 that they could show me.
Thanks for the pic, it`s making me think that the early Dusters had the seam leaded over. Hopefully a few more owners will chime in!
I've never seen the rocker seam visible on any A-body, at least on the part seen with the door closed.
I have an original paint '70 Hamtramck Duster and the seams are neatly leaded over and smooth, I also have an original paint '74 Duster made at St Louis and it has the seam visible where the rocker meets the quarters (kinda unsightly).... I think this was more prevalent on the '73 and later cars....why? I don't know. Maybe to save money/time. You can see the seam in post #32 of my air shock disccussion. Its a '74 Golden fawn Duster. Air Shocks | For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum
Back in the day, when they were leading over several seams on cars as they went down the assembly line, I wonder if anybody wore protective gear. Talk about lead poisoning.
Thanks Valleyant, I had a feeling that is what they did. Both of my 73s have the visible seam but the 71 i`m restoring was leaded over. Just wanted to be sure so that I could duplicate the factory seam. Funny the subtle difference ya find from year to year!
Also just from my experience. My first car was a 1972 Hamtramck Duster....it too had the seam leaded or covered over smooth. Sad that this attention to detail was later lost but we are talkin' about mass production economy type cars, so I understand that where they could save money they sure paid attention to THAT detail. lol
