Looking at a California? LHD 1980 3.0 SC here in the UK. The pic shows a strange panel fixed to the inside of the nearside wing - not seen this sort of thing before, is this 'standard' on US cars?

PJC

 

It's paint

 

PJC,

I don't have an SC but do have a slightly later model - an '86 Carrera. My car does have a similar panel in the same position as yours but it's evident that it was factory installed (welded, painted and what-not).

Not sure why you'd have this 'black' panel there. Does it appear to be welded in or removable? Rust repair possibly? Don't know but VERY interesting... If you can't find an answer, I'll follow-up with a photo of the same section of my later car.

Barry

 

Actually I found somethinf quite interesting. I have the very same black panel in my car. It is just a painted section really. When checking out a buddies Eurocar ( a 79 SC ) he has a plate rivited there with all the car information ( body type serial number etc. )

When I went to check mine I had the same black paint and the holes where the plate should go but no plate.

I wonder if this is where the plate goes on euro models and on US models thay just paint the spot instead and put the plate somewhere else like the inside of the door frame ..

just a thought ...

 

PJC & theiceman,

Here's a photo of the panel in my '86 Carrera Coupe (w/trunk carpeting removed).

Somewhat different than PJC's SC photo but similar as well. I now wonder what the oval vent is for (anyone?) given that it's covered by the trunk carpet at all times

Barry

 

you have the spot for the plate too .. see the holes ? mine doesn't have the plate either .. now I do nOT have that oval but my car is 8 years older a lot could have happened .. don't you have any trained gerbels you could send in and come back with a report ?