The 2007 Barrett-Jackson auction certainly seemed to be the year of the muscle car. Total sales were just short of $112 million with the top vehicles consisting of a 1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snake that sold for $5.5 million, a 1969 Camaro LZ1 that sold for $880,000, a 1969 Boss 429 Mustang that sold for $605,000, and a 1967 Mustang Fastback that sold for $317,000. Not only have the value of these cars skyrocketed, but the cost to restore these cars has also increased significantly. Some of these cars are now more than 40 years old and rust may have eaten away the car to the point where it could cost $20,000 or $30,000 just to repair the sheet metal. Now there is another option in the form of reproduction steel bodies. There are several sheet metal reproductions including a 1967 Mustang fastback, 1969 Camaro coupe and convertible, and a 1957 Chevy convertible.





Dynacorn, a leading manufacturer of reproduction auto parts, has introduced a line of body shells including a 1967 Camaro Coupe, a 1969 Camaro Coupe, a 1969 Camaro Convertible, and a 1967 Mustang Fastback. They even make reproduction truck cabs for 1947-1950 and 1952-1954 GM pickups. The Dynacorn body shells are complete with shock towers and core supports already welded in. The shells are unfinished and will require seem finishing and proper fitting of panels, but come EDP coated for rust prevention. The body shells are especially nice since modern technology allows Dynacorn to assemble the shells to exacting tolerances and the sheet metal and welds are far superior to 1960's standards. The Camaro shells are available for $13,500 plus a $495 crating charge. The 1967 Mustang Fastback shell is $15,500 plus a $495 crating charge. Both are available from Year One.



Experi-Metal, a supplier of prototype metal stampings, trim moldings and aftermarket sheet metal, has introduced a reproduction steel body for 1957 Chevy Convertible. These beautiful body recreations are incredibly complex, consisting of dozens of individual stampings welded together. Experi-Metal is confident there is a market for these reproduction body shells and has added an addition 20,000 sq-ft. to their facilities for assembly. The '57 body shells are not cheap at $35,000 each. They are available from several distributors.



It's worth noting that these body shells are intended to help and speed up the restoration of existing cars. They do not include VIN numbers, however, I expect several of these bodies to be turned into complete, "turn-key" vehicles that can get a new VIN assigned to them if they pass State safety regulations.

Tell me what you think. Will these reproduction steel bodies help or hurt the muscle car market?