Crunched Fender

[franklinair]

I crunched the left front fender on my C/S . No other serious damage, except my ego. Question: Are the repro fenders any good, or should I spend the $$ for repro "Ford tooling" version?

Neil (Dumb a--) Hoppe

 

[case12]

Ouch! We all hurt for you! Casey

 

[clubpro]

Neil,

I have access to new fenders made using the original Ford tooling or I can get you a good, straight used fender. The new fender would cost $365 plus shipping and the used would be around $100 plus shipping.

Cheers,

Ron

 

[franklinair]

I'm open for suggestions. The last time I ever bought a fender, it was from a Ford dealer's inventory. I'm not familiar with current sheetmetal available on the market. I've heard that repro's are thinner gage metal, and don't know about fit quality. (I KNOW repro valances are poor fit, based on my recent experience with them.) I've got a first class C/S, so I'm more concerned about quality rather than $$$.

Neil (D.S.) Hoppe:embarass:

 

[GTCSMustang]

I'd go with an original used Ford fender from 1968.

Scott

 

[franklinair]

I think you're right Scott. I've PM'd Ron to see what he can do for me. Thanks for the input.

Neil

 

[somethingspecial]

Niel, Bummer. What fender. I have a good used right I'll send you if you wish. It has the pony holes you would have to fill. Mike

 

[franklinair]

It's the left front fender. I'll also have to replace the wheel well moulding, left windshield moulding, left rocker moulding, left fender inner deflector panel. I already have the black C/S stripe set, so I'm OK there.
Some *%#@!<"% (me) did not torque the lug nuts on the left front wheel (a brand new Shelby 15") and the wheel departed @ about 20MPH, exiting thru the fender. I still have to examine the wheel's lug holes to see if I have to replace the wheel as well. Luckily, no other sheetmetal was damaged.
Obviously, I've been in a grand funk all day. Peggy said the insurance will cover the repair & cost, but I've always believed in personal responsibility. So I'll fix it & pay for it out of pocket myself since I'M the one that screwed it up in the first place.
But right now, I'm gonna fix myself a nice Manhattan and watch football!!

Neil

 

[CALIF GIRL]

Neil,

I feel for you, good luck.
When I replaced my front right fender I choose to use a fender from a junked 68.

 

[Doug]

Neal - we all share your pain - knowing you it will be better than before. Also the important thing was no one got hurt.

Maybe I'll have to have a drink as well.

 

[somethingspecial]

WOW Neil, Glad no one was hurt. If I had read your first post closer, I would have seen it was the left. Sorry, all I have is the right.
Have a stiff belt for me too. Mike

 

[Perkchiro]

So sorry Neil. Just remember, everyone makes mistakes, and anything that's broken can be fixed. Just another life lesson learned. Just for the record, I purchased a repo fender and it was junk. I re-purchased a Ford tooling fender and it was well worth the extra cost. Sounds like you have already got an eye on a replacement, so good luck and hopefully you'll be back at the GT/CS wheel soon.

 

[Midnight Special]

Niel, I'm so sorry! I know it will be better than new when fixed

 

[Diesel Donna]

Awwww Neil! I feel so bad for you. Here's a hug ((((((((Neil)))))))))


~~~~Donna

 

[390cs68rcode]

I'm in the original camp.

 

[franklinair]

I think Ron (clubpro) is going to be able to bail me out with a good used '68 fender.

Neil

 

[robert campbell]

Neil,
I am so sorry. You are a man after my own heart that can admit to a boo boo in public. I ran over a floating dock this year at my lake with my son behind me and a friend in the boat. Prime time early on a Sunday in front of the whole lake!! No beer involved, my old dog had fell to the floor and I thought I had really hurt her. Looked at her a bit to long…. Moments later it was “Bond”!! “Rob Bond”!!! Flying through the air. Son bailed, no one was hurt and they had to fetch me my “brown pants”!!! Took a few bows and limped said boat home!! Dock repair was part of my vacation…..

Stay away from cheap repops! They look off the car, but they line up to the door and windshield area like doo doo. Seam match to door is a lot of fun. You can rework them a bunch, but not worth it.

Was it the original fender to this car?? If so you may want to try to get a used one with a similar date code on it. That is if total originality is your thing. Very tough to do, but sometimes you get lucky. As always, the left front is normally the one not available. Bet there are double the right front ones out there.

Get a good fender! Sounds like you have a line already. Now if you had a done this to a rear quarter!!! And a quarter with a recessed reflector!!! See, you are very lucky…

Ya right Rob….. I hurt for you!!! I broke a left rear axle on my first (1967) Mustang. Right on the end and the whole drum, wheel, and tire took a destructive exit. Will really screw up a rear quarter.

Rob

 

[franklinair]

Thanks Rob. What absolutely KILLS me, I've been in aircraft Maintenance for 50 years - and you just don't make dumb mistakes like this in this profession. It's always check & double check, which obviously I did not do, and violated my own code. I'm still not done kicking myself in the a--.!
I'm not too concerned with date codes - I don't restore to that extent. As long it is year/model correct, I'm a happy camper. (And yes folks, that even applies to color changes:wink: )
Really appreciate all the condolences & encouragement from everyone here. It's nice to belong to a group intent on helping one another.
Well, back to work - I'm cleaning, wire wheeling nuts & bolts for my convert today . What a drudge, but I'm doing penance for my stupidity.:smile:

Neil

 

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Rob. ............
I'm not too concerned with date codes - I don't restore to that extent. ..................

Just a thought but I would suggest that you at least cut the date out of your original fender and save it. In this way you will have the option (or the next owner will later.

 

[robert campbell]

Great idea!! Never thought of that one!!

Rob