update for today; I spent today working on the right side panel.
Started with this, and cut it down to the right size.

(that pic came out crummy)
Dammit all.
Size down,
existing panel cut,
fits nice.
Started filing down the edges,
decided that sucks big. Time to call in the backup

oh yeah.
sanded down most of it,
will sand down the rest later.
Here's the plan, brace it with strips from behind. Hold everything together with rivets while
the JB Weld dries. After JB dries, drill out rivets, fill the holes and the gaps. Result; a
seamless panel on the outside. Hopefully.
A pic of it on the case so you know what it looks like;

Also I am gonna put mesh in the slats so you can't see through it.
Here's how it sits right now.

cheers