Hello everyone

Trying to learn if the body panels at the quarters and front fenders are supposed to curve in a little or need to be straight? Below is a picture with a welding rod showing the gap. The gap is pretty consistent from top to bottom.

Thanks

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I can't help with a reply but it's question I've been wanting an answer to for some time. You see come cars with no curvature and other with. A definitive answer would be great.

Factory original would have curves.

The classic definition of a good quality paint job would entail getting those panels to be flat across the gap. I've even heard of people who know what they are doing welding the doors in a couple places so they don't move, then bodyworking OVER the gap so both panels are worked as one piece, then once they're flat they carefully reveal and work the gap.

Wouldn't that be wouldn't instead of would?

If the 914 was on par with something like a Konigsegg where each car is hand built and bodyworked, sure.

But the 914 was an economy car. They were painted as they came off the assembly line, without bodywork.

Once you learn how to look at, and evaluate paint, it's amazing how BAD new car paint is. The 914 was no different.

So it was factory that way? So let's vote on this "Leave it factory" or Blend all panels straight"?

Enjoy it the way it is, don't futs with suddenly deciding to "blend it straight" if you didn't know you wanted to before this thread.

These cars need all the curves they can get!

I love curves on women and cars!

The engineers that designed it would probably tell you it is "within tolerance". You can make it perfect, but is the end goal a static museum piece, or a driver?