Achipmunk checking in..... I have used fiberglass fenders on my 37 for 8 years along with fiberglass running boards. I've had the 37 in excess of 120mph on several occassions and no cracks or stars from road gravel or vibrations.
Heck, I have never installed the fender braces on the front or the rear as I did not want to put holes in the fenders. I'm planning to use a small fiberglass rod to stick on the inside of the fender/chassis with some "glue and fasteners" that Freightliner uses for certain attachments. That will keep it clean!
I also have never installed the inner fenders on the front as I want to do something a little different but have never got to it. I even see folks at the car shows and cruise-ins thump my fenders and hear them say "yep, they're metal". I'm sure a real pro can tell the differences but mine look nice. I do try not to stand on the running boards because of the paint but I do when washing it.
I get my fiberglass stuff from R&R Fiberglass out of Tennessee. Richard Keller laps his fiberglass and has good quality. A lot of the cheapo's are sprayed and have thin/ligh/heavy spots and do not hold up very well.
EDIT: on my current project,52Panel, I have already blasted the rear fenders and the shops here want 150-200 each to repair them and prime them. They are not in that bad of shape. So being the practical man I am I think its wise to put fiberglass fenders on the rear of the panel. I think they are about 220 each at R&R but I think I can talk Richard into a discount?
That way I do not worry about a differnt kind of crack than a fiberglass crack ...with FILLER it can do the same and have to be re=done which all depends on the skills of the body man and how well he does the repairs to begin with.....To each his own and I understand the logic most folks use. I'm just trying to be practical and since this is a "resto-rod" I do not have to be a purist!
Hope this helps you make up your mind.
