Nose Body Panels

[Tony M.]

Gentlemen,
Hope you are all well!

I would like to know if a document exists that shows all front-end body panels on a 59 Corvette. The reason I am asking is because I have not figured out how the panels make up the front nose panels. Every supplier has a different cut-out. The bonding strips are well defined except when it comes to the nose area.

Thanks for the support!

[Roger W.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

The Service Manual (ST-12) has a pretty good drawing on page 1-44. If you look at your car, you can probably figure out which bonding strip is which on the drawing.

[Tom D.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Don't know if or what you are planning to buy. This information should be known, in any case.

Three or four years ago, I bought a top "Hood surround" for my 60 and got it installed and painted. Now I find the back side curvature of the front, where the round hole for the nose emblem goes, is too thick and/or too flat for the curvature of the clear plastic emblem's edges. (The right and left side edges, which fit under the fiberglass, are thicker than the top and bottom of this part.) Now planning to machine flatten the two side edges of the plastic part, in order for it to "come fully up into" the chrome bezel like it should.

[Tony M.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Roger,
Thanks for the response...I have the Assembly Manual, Servicing Guide,Corvette Restoration Handbook and The Restoration and Technical Guide. Unfortunately no Service Manual.

[Tony M.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Tom,
What I may consider doing is replacing the bottom portion of the front-end. The portion that contains the turn signal along with bottom opening. The holes for the center chrome half bellow the teeth are oversized...due to a lower panel hit many years ago!!! Also a small crack just above the center bumperette fiberglass.

Hope this is clear???

[Philip P.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Here is the picture on page 1-44 of ST-12
Phil
Corvette Service Guide Section 1 BODY_tif.jpg

[Tony M.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Philip,
You are the best...thanks! Now here is my misunderstanding, I do not see the bonding strips between parts 22 and 24??? Technically, I only need part 24.

Question: Are there or should there be bonding strips between these two parts?

[Philip P.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Tony, It is kind of hard to visulize but item 23 is the bonding strip between panels 22 and 24. I tried to get a picture of mine but could not get anything clear. I am not sure how to explain it but it appears to go along the lower panel up the side of the grill opening onto the front below the headlight. That should make it very confusing.
This is from AIM section B sheet 2 bonding strip.jpg
You can see the bonding strip a little better.
Phil

[Tony M.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Philip,
I have a Bonding strip 23 in my hands since I needed to add it on my 59 Drivers side. This strip literally hugs the inside fender right next to the signal lights. It is literally on the outside of the grill opening. I do not think that this is what bonds 22 and 24.

PS: I checked the passenger side, area between 22 and 24...no strip and very clean????

Still confused!

[Philip P.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Tony, I will try to get some pictures of the way these are attached may take a little while. It may just be flanges on each piece that are bonded together.
Phil

[Philip P.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Tony there is some type of bracket between the front piece and the one below the head lights. I do not see it in the diagram of the ST-12 but here is a picture of my car


04042012 011.jpg

Phil

[Tony M.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Philip,
You are the best!!!!

The picture is bonding strip 23. This strip connects the inside panel with the front nose.

I am wondering if the above part nu PFG-109 from Zip is the original front piece??? Frontnose.jpg

[Philip P.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Tony, I looked at it not sure but it may be one piece so it would be easier to install but not correct from what I can tell. I would give them a call and see. Some of the suppliers have the separate pieces. From the ST-12 pictures there are 3 pieces plus the bonding strips.
Happy to help
Phil

[Philip P.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

When I said easier to install that is in the mind of the installer, fiberglass is its own animal, I did quite a bit in the early sixties and we repaired what was there with mat and resin. THe one piece in my opinion may be easier as you would eliminate some of the seams.
Phil

[Richard M.]

Re: Nose Body Panels

Tony,

If you go to Sermersheim's website.....Here, you can download their pdf catalog. There are some crude diagrams there that may help. The strip is item #27 on Page 2 of the catalog. Also as Phil's diagram picture is items 1 & 23 as mentioned.

I used a one piece nose on a '59, but bought those bonding strips which are to attach the inner skirts to the nose. It also has a flat area at the bottom which is where the lower center valence mates with the sides. The picture below shows these on the skirts before the nose went on. In my case, being a one-piece, that area at the bottom(where the lower spring clamps are) got bonded to the lower front valence. Also as seen in Phil's photo above of the same area, which looks like the passenger side.

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