my old man used to buy patch panel stuff from whitney all the time. i personally wouldnt want to run it unless it was absolutely necessary, or on a street fighter with war paint on it.

 

Mann that seems hard to believe that the demand isn't high. That scares me for when I start restoring =/

 

I think it's more of a catch 22. There aren't replacement parts because people are using donor cars. And people are using donor cars because there isn't any parts.'

Personally, I think all Monte enthusiast forums and clubs should urge their members to keep getting on aftermarket suppliers to start producing decent replacement panels and such. Just like they do with other makes and models. Hell, I can build an entire camaro from aftermarket parts. But you can't get a decent door skin or a chrome trim piece for a Monte?

The Monte is not something that was only around for a couple years. The Monte name was around since 1970. Minus the 5 years from 89 to 94. The 4th gen Montes are the most often stolen for their parts. The chop shops know there's a market for the parts. It's time the aftermarket parts companies knew it too.

 

There's always the option of fabrication either find someone and spend the big dollars or the easier stuff do on your own. I'm fixing the lower panels on my doors myself on my 78. Lots of hours and time going into just the first door its self. But its a trade that I am trained in and I'm willing to take the risk at fixing. I know of some rust free doors in my area but they're not power anything and they want a pretty penny for each of them.

 

Making the outer skin is one thing. Rebuilding the bottom inner egde is another story tho. MonteMan I didnt realize you had a 78. If my Monte wasnt takin all my money I could afford to pay attention. Good luck on your build man.

 

Hey no problem BBobb! I don't really talk about it much here. I guess I need to start to as it is ok to talk about it here. Love seein your picture in your signature!!!

 

4th gen monte's are easy compaired to a '65 buick at carlisle i found TONS of stuff for 4th gens, but only roughly 3 parts in the entire show would have worked on my buick. englishtown had monte stuff out the wazoo last i was there, i only found an air cleaner housing for my buick. thats it. god help me if i ever want a patch panel and dont wanna fab it up myself!

 

I do luv the look of the last gen montes but im notta fan of front whl Drive...Thats were GM screwed up!!! They should bring it back w/RWD put the 300 hp engine, like the one they put in the impala SS a few yrs ago..They sell like hot cakes..Like i said they should have put the 300 hp V8 engine in the new Camaro along w/the V6 and 400 HP V8..I hate to say it but how much HP do you need inna driving car!!!With gas going up to 3.50 for HT my 325 HP 4.6 in my stang/160 HP 305 in my 87 monte is enough for me..Yes i do take both cars to the drags once a month but i also want drivability also...

 

Very well put....