Inner fender options
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 474
Likes: 25
From: Springfield MO
Inner fender options
I got a proper front clip for my '68 (currently has '73+ look). The clip is in good shape (only minor repairs needed) except for the hood mount on the driver's side, which is cracked. My options are:
1. try to fix this one.
2. get a hand-layed reproduction (there's one near me for $150)
3. get a press-molded repro part (~$400-ish)
4. look for an original in useable shape
Obviously, finding a perfect original would be ideal. But my question is really between the top three. Is it unwise to try to fix this? If so (which I assume is the case), what's the real difference between the two reproductions? The car will be a driver (with lots of "incorrect" parts), so is it a purist thing? Or is there a functional difference? This would be the only reproduction piece of fiberglass on the car, so I hate to take that plunge, but if it's going to slice $250+ out of the budget just to look more original (but still be repro), it's not worth it.
Thanks.
Eric
1. try to fix this one.
2. get a hand-layed reproduction (there's one near me for $150)
3. get a press-molded repro part (~$400-ish)
4. look for an original in useable shape
Obviously, finding a perfect original would be ideal. But my question is really between the top three. Is it unwise to try to fix this? If so (which I assume is the case), what's the real difference between the two reproductions? The car will be a driver (with lots of "incorrect" parts), so is it a purist thing? Or is there a functional difference? This would be the only reproduction piece of fiberglass on the car, so I hate to take that plunge, but if it's going to slice $250+ out of the budget just to look more original (but still be repro), it's not worth it.
Thanks.
Eric
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Austin Texas
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assuming you can not locate a good used part.
remove the steel backing plate/support, drill out rivets, remove loose old broken stuff.
Use fiberglass and repair it, it really is not that hard to do, the worst for you will be cleaning up the area to work on,
cleaning fender well inside and out.
use the metal support as a guide to insure good fitment back to the new fiberglass.
this is a front core/body support point, so do a good Fiber-glass repair.
remove the steel backing plate/support, drill out rivets, remove loose old broken stuff.
Use fiberglass and repair it, it really is not that hard to do, the worst for you will be cleaning up the area to work on,
cleaning fender well inside and out.
use the metal support as a guide to insure good fitment back to the new fiberglass.
this is a front core/body support point, so do a good Fiber-glass repair.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi EM,
I agree that this is a doable repair.
Since the hood hinge is bolted to the steel brace in the wheel well, and the brace is bolted to the core support, and the core support is bolted to the front crossmember, the repair to 'some degree' will only be cosmetic.
Regards,
Alan
I agree that this is a doable repair.
Since the hood hinge is bolted to the steel brace in the wheel well, and the brace is bolted to the core support, and the core support is bolted to the front crossmember, the repair to 'some degree' will only be cosmetic.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 474
Likes: 25
From: Springfield MO
Good deal! I hadn't gotten into it and assumed the fiberglass was providing part of the support, but if the steel is doing the heavy lifting, I'll repair it and go. Finally, something that costs less than I originally planned... 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,353
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Just to keep in mind, I think there's a good chance you will have to remove the inner wheel fender for hood alignment with the front clip.
To get my 68 factory hood to match the front clip exactly, the body shop did some expensive breaking loose and rebonding of the structure in teh front clip. I think they debonded and rebonded the inner wheel fender...can't be sure.
To get my 68 factory hood to match the front clip exactly, the body shop did some expensive breaking loose and rebonding of the structure in teh front clip. I think they debonded and rebonded the inner wheel fender...can't be sure.
