Whatcha Call this Panel?

[ojh]

You've all seen those diagrams of a cow that show the different cuts and the name for the cuts? Anybody got the same diagram for a car? I'm trying to make templates from the original and I don't know what to call them. Writing something like 'panel from behind gas filler neck' just don't lend the right amount of dignity, know what I mean?

[Kidpaint]

im going on a limb here but is an exploded diagram what youre referring too?

[steve.murphy]

I think the automotive equivalent of this:
Not a bad idea, with such different terminology depending on the geographic area.

[crystallographic]

Originally Posted by ojh

You've all seen those diagrams of a cow that show the different cuts and the name for the cuts? Anybody got the same diagram for a car? I'm trying to make templates from the original and I don't know what to call them. Writing something like 'panel from behind gas filler neck' just don't lend the right amount of dignity, know what I mean?

One of the auto chassis terms that always made me laugh: "dumbirons."
When you clip your shin on one you are smarter the next time, I guess....??

[trailhead]

Probably not what you're looking for, but along the right lines

[ojh]

I keep looking for the really old apprenticeship books from the coachbuilding industry, they would have the terminology and maybe the history behind the name.

[oldtin]

A lot of the terms changed over the years due to the transition from wagon/buggy coachwork to the horseless coachwork. Also regional terms are often different. Some of the terminology stayed the same. Example: guard/wing/fender.
Some terms have often been misused for example: dash = the front panel of a buggy that helped keep manure off of occupants, in the automotive world the dash is the panel that separates the occupants from the engine/fire. Not the instrument panel that most call a dash. The dash attaches to the cowl/scuttle, the instrument panel attaches to the cowl, usually at the A-pillar.
There is also terminology for areas of a car body that are not specific to one panel. Ex: catwalk=the area below the greenhouse but above the beltline. The area below the beltline is called the tumblehome.
Some newer terms have come about due to the evolution of auto bodies, some others have died off. If you can find coachbuilding ,restoration, body repair books on the era of vehicle that you are working on it should give some good indicators on the naming of the panels. I wouldn't worry to much about naming them with dignified names, I know when I am making panels they often get called far worse names, unless I get lucky and the job goes smoothly.

[BobD]

I had met a guy and he kept telling me how hard it was to close his bonnet and was befuddled because he didn't look like a guy that would wear a ladies hat?