Sheet Metal

[Klattu1929]

I'm getting close to hunting for sheet metal, floor pans, rear fender wells, etc. Anyone delt with Little Dearborn in MN, Wescott in OR, etc. etc. Any vendors to watch out for. Only been in the "A" game for a short time. I have no connection with any of the body panel vendors. Grateful for some insight.

 

[Oldbluoval]

What your going to find is they all virtually carry the parts of the same producer(s). The better manufacturer are gone. Most is made by Howells and whose report card is C- ! If it’s Howell, buy from a dealer and not the, or you’ll be forever getting it.
Brookville Roadster makes some and it is B-.
Most of it mediocre at best. If you talk to Steve at Bert’s in Denver he will shoot you straight…as do several/many other vendors as you’ve named.
As to fender wells, unless u have to….replace only what is rusted in the lower area.; not the whole panel. Never cut out good Henry metal just rust.

 

[LeonardS]

I'm getting close to hunting for sheet metal, floor pans, rear fender wells, etc. Anyone delt with Little Dearborn in MN, Wescott in OR, etc. etc. Any vendors to watch out for. Only been in the "A" game for a short time. I have no connection with any of the body panel vendors. Grateful for some insight.

I thought Little Dearborn in Minnesota had closed up shop?

 

[Klattu1929]

Dearborn may have closed shop don't know, just started looking for "A" sheet metal sellers on the interweb. I'm on board to keep as much original metal as I can. Easier to fit a small section to the skin than a whole who knows how well made a new panel will be. At least that's how it's been for me in the past. Although this is my first Model A.

 

[wrndln]

Little Dearborn in Minneapolis is definitely closed. It closed several years ago.
Rusty Nelson

 

[Gil Sissons]

Try Steve at Berts or Sammy at Arizona Model A
Never know who might have original metal

Gil. NoCal

 

[rotorwrench]

Howel's is best delt with on flea-pay. They don't have very good direct order policy. In can take forever to get orders directly from them. With flea-pay, they have to have a part to sell one.

 

[Chris Haynes]

I bought a door skin for my 82A. It is made incorrectly and can't be used. Howell's has No Customer Service. Won't answer the phone. Won't return calls. Won't respond to Email.

 

[gdmn852]

Hello, I have been restoring a 1931 roadster and had to replace passenger side quarter panel upper and lower center panels, also door with repro parts . None of them are are “bolt on and paint “ rather you have to spend time reworking them to fit each other, lot of die wash out , incorrect fitting at mating areas. The floor pans usually fit without too much trouble, but may not have correct reinforcement ribs . As mentioned previously, parts probably come from same manufacture, I got all of mine at Snyders, they will caution you that may need work to fit. If possible try to use original but getting very hard to find.