I have just recently rebuilt the front of my '75 Frankenstein monster.

I say that with affection (sort of) and with tongue in cheek. I have come to that conclusion because the more am under the car, moving from one necessary repair to another, the more it is obvious to me that the previous owner went as cheap as possible to resolve any issue that kept this car on the road.

And when this newbie enthusiast went looking for a car with a little money and the wife's thumbs up and encouragement, he found a sucker....ME! Did I mention that two seams/indentations on the top of both front fenders indicate to me that she's been wrecked/repaired?

My problem is that the left front tire looks like it is where it should be as far as it's position with relation to the fender opening. However, the right front appears to be inset about 1-1.25 inches inward. The new UCA/LCA bushings helped the positioning about .25 inches, but the problem remains.

By process of elimination, this is what I have done and intend to do.

1. Front end bushing, ball joint replacement.....DONE.
2. Confirmation that the spindles are correct to make sure that the offset condition is caused by some spindle mismatch.....DONE.
3. Measured from the sight hold/slit on the frame to the upper outside fender opening is off by the measures that I discussed earlier.

What I plan to do:

1. 4-wheel alignment.
2. Take "the mistress" to an experienced frame shop to check the shape of the frame....(fingers crossed).
3. Once all of the above is complete, I'll take it to an C3 experienced body shop and get their impression.
4. Replace all body mount bushings.

Here's my questions.

Q1. Does the possibility exist that I could have mismatched front fenders?
Q2. Are the front fenders for the entire productin run from '68-'82 identically the same?
Q3. If not how do they differ?
Q4. The headlight openings are perfect. Is the entire front end one piece or multiple.
Q5. I also have a gap in the area between the driver's door and front fender that makes me think that they body doesn't fit right.

I don't half-a$$ a thing. I'm a great student and study whatever the next repair might be. I can't speak to the previous owner's view..... The paint flaws are testament to the former owner being AOK with poor craftsmanship.

I am seriously rethinking my decision regarding this car. I have learned so much during the process. I've rebuilt the rear bearing assemblies. Replaced the radiator core support, and radiator, crank seal, fuel pump, rear leaf spring, front end suspension rebuild, and various weatherstripping myself....and I've only had her 11 months.

I'm smarter...and poorer than I was 11 months ago and will probably lose about $2K by selling her.

Any guidance or suggestions are always greatly appreciated. Talk me off the ledge.....please.

 

If you take a look at the parts suppliers' web sites you can probably answer all your questions. A site like Ecklers will show all the body panels for the different model years and the one-piece alternatives.

 

The suspension is possibly not the problem. The body might be a little askew on the frame. Usually the right rear looks a bit out, but I suppose a right front could appear the same.

 

Mismatched, no. Incorrectly mounted or installed, yes.

Where and how they mount and the size and position of the wheel opening, is the same from 68-82.

For 68-79 front fenders, the differences are in the size/type of front marker lamp, the 70-79 fenders have the "flair" at the rear bottom of the wheel opening (68-69's don't), and the style of the fender louver differs by year. The 80-82 fenders are also different, forward of the wheel opening. Still, the wheel opening is the same size, and position for all 68-82 fenders.

No, the nose is made up of a top surround panel, left and right side fender, and a lower front valance panel.

The top surround forms the area around the hood, from the windshield forward to the bumper, and also forms the top of the side fenders, down a couple inches from the fender peak on each side. The side fenders form the area from the doors forward to the bumper, and from the point where the surround ends, down to the rockers. The side fender also includes the side louvers, and has the opening for the front marker light (except 80-82 fenders, where the marker is part of the front bumper). The lower valance is bonded in below the grilles on 68-72s, and bolts in on later years.

If the gap is larger on one side, than the other, the nose or front fender are probably mounted incorrectly.

It sounds to me that the car may have been in an accident, and repaired by someone not familiar with Corvettes. It's really pretty common to find replacement noses mounted either too far forward, or too far back, especially with 68-82's.

The position of your doors should be the same on each side. I would take some measurements forward from the door to the wheel opening on both sides, and from the door to the center of each front wheel. This way you may get a better feel for whether your nose is mounted wrong, or if you have a frame issue.