FRONT VALANCE REPLACEMENT

Sorry, no first hand info.

But based on years of stories about Hall's products not fitting right and needing fitment work, and knowing and viewing Johnny's work, the choice is obvious.

Just contact Johnny; case solved.

Larry

Also, no first hand experience, but if you saw before and after pictures of his Pantera you'd have no doubt as to Johnny's craftsmanship.

I have just fitted one of Johnny Woods valances to my '74. It was a perfect fit and I'm betting Johnny's price is competitive. The valance is actually an easy panel to replace once you have the old one cut out. They just look ugly after all those years of kerb bashings.

Once I did get my old valance off it was then evident the lower radiatoir crossmember was shot too. I got that piece from Wilkinson, his price was best and quality was good, that one takes a lot more work to fit so hopefully you don't have to go that far.

Here's Johnny's website
http://www.woodsautomotive.co.uk/detomaspanels.htm

Julian

don't even think twice about it, buy johnny's. i put one on last winter. great workmanship, fair price, great fit. i thought the job was going to be bear, turned out to be a piece of cake.
now the crossmember, that is a different story!

nazgul

Most everyone has see this but in case you haven’t it might be interesting to you. It is very hard to know how much needs to be done until you get the old valance off. http://www.panteraplace.com/page44.htm I was very lucky to find a monocoque body guy that is an absolute genius.

Mike

Here is just a few photos of a chin replacement using a complete chin. The box under the chin is square so no special piece needed for that:

WOW-GREAT RESPONSES!!
THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT I EXPECTED TO HEAR, BECAUSE MY FRIEND AND BODY MAVEN AND I LOOKED AT PHOTOS OF WOOD'S WORK AND VERY MUCH LIKED WHAT WE OBSERVED. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FIT WAS ON THE MONEY BEFORE VENTURING INTO A TRANS-ATLANTIC PURCHASE.
THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN

If you can, find someone that hammer welds so there are no weld lines or overlapped pieces.

Mike

quote:

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FIT WAS ON THE MONEY BEFORE VENTURING INTO A TRANS-ATLANTIC PURCHASE.

At one point Johnny had a stockpile of units here in the States. Shipped by a friend, out of CA I believe.

Not sure if any are still here, though.

Larry

Add another five star rating on Johnny Woods' valance. I used one on my '72 and it fit perfectly. Nice and stiff too. He shipped quickly after payment and the whole experience was top notch.
Everyone should do business like Johnny.

Mooso

Back again,
Have been in touch with Johnny Woods and informed him of the board's praise, and he was flattered to say the least.He did have panels here in the states but they have been sold.
My new question is what a total removal and replacement of the front valance should cost, ball park, assuming there are no other rust issues to address when removed, including paint but excluding the replacement valance itself, by a professional Pantera restorer.
Thank you in advance

quote:

by a professional Pantera restorer.

Your location limits your choices for "a professional Pantera restorer."

All I can think of is Pit Mical.

But with Johnny's piece in hand, I would not be too hesitant in letting a quality body shop tackle this type of repair.

Make sure they regularly work on the older cars - that is, have experience with the thick metal used on that era's builds. Newer cars hammer out with a Tinker Toy hammer.

If your valance is gone, I have my doubts about the radiator support, but that will just have to play out.

Larry

quote:

My new question is what a total removal and replacement of the front valance should cost, ball park, assuming there are no other rust issues to address when removed, including paint but excluding the replacement valance itself, by a professional Pantera restorer.

I think that depends more on your paint type, quality etc. than the actual panel replacement. For instance if you have the lower body portion in the black it'd probably be a lot less costly than a full paint match. I'd take a guess a shop is going to want $1500-$2K.

Thanks,
Thats around what I figured though I would be curious to know what Pantera Performance and the like would charge for this task.

quote:

Originally posted by kitchenguy:
Thanks,
Thats around what I figured though I would be curious to know what Pantera Performance and the like would charge for this task.

The full valance with the full hole and the surrounding metal. Nice if you have difficulty getting the full shape. A flange tool, overlap and weld in. Piece of cake:







As far as what it cost, it depends on the body shop. If they are used to metal work and like working on this type of car you may get a good rate and a good job.

Like most typical body shops they make money from insurance/wreck repairs and often don't like to do this sort of thing. Watch for the shop who will sit the car in the corner and make it the new kids project when he gets around to it.

A difference between a Pantera and a Ferrari or Lambo is the Pantera's are cars that can be worked on by most, and many who own them love to do it. This is something which is commonly done by people of average skills but if you take it to a body shop, it may be a crap shoot. If they are not concerned about the quality of the job they will build what they screw up from filler.

Gary

What's the condition of the car and what are you doing to it? Just valance repair? Painting the car? More? Less?

Do you have any photos of the affected area?

Gary,

I note you ground off the lower lip after welding the valance in place. I was wondering what to do with that, is it just there so the panel retains shape?

Did you weld that valance lower edge to the radiator crossmember/chassis? I was inclined to leave mine open so any water could escape.

That's a good point. I did weld the back and ground it smooth. The box under the valance I did a repair on with flat sheet which was bent. This is what you see the clecos in. I welded that corner up. It was not stock but I like it clean.

What I am not showing is I drilled several drain holes holes in the back.

I also cleaned up and capped the area right behind the panel. I welded in nuts as I did in several areas for bolting a belly pan in this area. I drilled a couple holes there too: