Is this panel meant to be straight?

[indisguise]

I have a 1975 2002 which has a small dent in the fornt ( a car rolled back into it). Anyway the inner panel on both sides shows a bend/curve in it. Is this standard from the factory or do I need to "push the front end out"? Heres the panel in question.....

[mattmcginn]

Yes. It should be straight, its a designed-in weak spot crumple zone thing. That tweak is minor though.

[indisguise]

Thanks for the info Matt....Its awesome to have such great knowledge on this site. Also hope more people start using your forum for specific bodywork questions.

[auggiemize]

I guess that I missed something...please explain that last sentence of your post about Matt's forum?

[winstontj]

Matt has a forum on his shop's site

[auggiemize]

Thanks Tom, I sorta figured, but thought maybe there was something on the FAQ that I'd missed. And thanks Matt for sharing your braintrust. Wish you were a little closer to NC. Dave V. in western NC

[PatAllen]

funny as i was working on this area on my 74 auto 02 recently, while the fenders were not there and part of the nose (lower part). i could push over the front of the nose and be able to see this part get deformed just by hand...

since i dont have any plans to crash this car (!) ive been tempted to consolidate/ streghten this section to get a more stiff front end...