Front clip replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Guelph Ontario
Front clip replacement
This may be the wrong place to post this since a 1 piece front clip is anything but factory correct but..... Has anyone here used one and what are your thoughts? My car could use a new clip and the 1 piece looks good for its price and lack of bonding strips. My car is a custom so Im not worried about factory appearance. I realize the clip would require alot of work to smooth its underside though. Who makes the best and can a good fit be obtained? Thanks in advance!
:D
:D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,824
Likes: 369
From: Mobile AL
Re: Front clip replacement (65ZR1)
Yes, I have bought the hand-laid complete front ends. No, they do not fit well without a ton of work.
All that I have seen are substantially thicker than original GM fiberglass. Also, some were obviously made from molds that did not accurately duplicate the factory outside dimensions. Good headlight and hood fits are tough to obtain. On one '57 front end from Eckler's I had to realign the right headlight opening. It angled downward noticeably. The '65 front end I bought from Acme Fiberglass was slightly twisted between the headlights.
The underside finish on most handlaid (or chopper gun) fiberglass is extremely rough. You will not be able to smooth it by sanding with a DA or a jitterbug. You might be able to smooth it by coating it with Bondo and then sanding the Bondo.
Since you asked for opinions, I'll give you mine. Be brutally honest with yourself about how much you value the initial lower price. If that thrill is enough to offset the extra work, poor fit, and lower resale value resulting from the purchase, then you will be happy with a hand-laid front end.
All that I have seen are substantially thicker than original GM fiberglass. Also, some were obviously made from molds that did not accurately duplicate the factory outside dimensions. Good headlight and hood fits are tough to obtain. On one '57 front end from Eckler's I had to realign the right headlight opening. It angled downward noticeably. The '65 front end I bought from Acme Fiberglass was slightly twisted between the headlights.
The underside finish on most handlaid (or chopper gun) fiberglass is extremely rough. You will not be able to smooth it by sanding with a DA or a jitterbug. You might be able to smooth it by coating it with Bondo and then sanding the Bondo.
Since you asked for opinions, I'll give you mine. Be brutally honest with yourself about how much you value the initial lower price. If that thrill is enough to offset the extra work, poor fit, and lower resale value resulting from the purchase, then you will be happy with a hand-laid front end.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Re: Front clip replacement (jerrybramlett)
I agree with Jerry! Even for a driver that was never going to be shown, I think a 1 piece front end is a poor investment. Once you factor in the additional labor necessary to get a good fit, and the decrease in the value of the car, I do not think that you will get good value from one. Like Jerry, I don't think that you could smooth one up enough to pass for press molded glass without a ton of work, and even then it could be spotted by a knowledgable person.
:seeya
:seeya
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Kearney Nebraska
Re: Front clip replacement (John McGraw)
I spent the big money and went for the pre-assembled press moulded clip for my 60. Very nice, but buy it without the inner fenders bonded to the assembly. Fit the inner fenders to your car, then bond to the front clip. Mine were already bonded, had to take them loose and move them. Missed the brackets on the firewall by over an inch. :banghead: Should be bonded to body soon, I am taking alot of pictures. I am just really happy to have found a bodyman who is VERY picky, he works slow, but very precise. :chevy
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Guelph Ontario
Re: Front clip replacement (1960fivette)
Well its almost settled. It looks like the one piece is out. I thought they were of better quality. I would add new parking lamp panels and upper and lower valences to mine. However it looks like the fenders dont quite meet the body right. Ill leave it up to the body man. If I do go with the press molded front end then who makes the best ones? Also, I wasnt aware that you could buy them without the inner fenders bonded in. Any advice is appreciated.
:chevy :chevy
:chevy :chevy
