The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Aftermarket fenders

I was speaking with an engineer at one of the big name vendors today, and learned some things about the production of the aftermarket panels. The owner of his company had gone overseas to see where he could get best panels for his company to sell. He found that there are 8-10 factories that produce these parts, and they all trade the same dies to stamp parts and use the same box. What makes the factories different is they use different gauge metals and the size of the presses use to stamp the parts. So what I'm saying that when you buy a part, you never know which factory it was made in (because they all use the same boxes), and therefor there is no consistency in how these panels will fit. If factory A uses heavier gauge metal with a press that isn't big enough to stamp the parts, and company B uses thinner metal and a bigger press, you have to assume the two parts won't fit the same. I just found this info interesting and wanted to pass it on. I've just purchased all new fenders for the 1950 that I'm working on. Hope they don't fit too bad.

Good Info! I've always suspected there were limited shops/company's turning out repo stampings. Never considered they shared dies. It'd be good to know which actually produce the best pieces.

Good to know. I had an extremely difficult time with the last body man (really a modern car parts changer). My right front fender was off a little. He insisted I order new ones. I insisted he make the minor adjustments. He was working on a 53-3100 too. He talked the old guy into new fenders all the way around. I slipped over and mic'd them all, two different gauges and not as thick as my originals and after fitted not great. I need to look up in my notes what the thickness's were, I would not call them gauges. I really don't know what to do if my fenders ever get damaged. Can't find anything on farm lots or barns around here anymore. Ebay I guess but, most offering prices are very high. Doc

Rear fenders I will only go with Mar-K from now on as they get all of theirs out of one place. Not sure where to get quality fronts.