Couldn't really find the answer I was looking for in the archives. I need a left hand fender for my 68 project car. I've tried a couple used fenders, just too much work. Can't find a NOS fender. Are GM restoration fenders any good? The posts I've read about aftermarket fenders makes me want to stay away from them. Are we calling the GM restoration fender the same as a Taiwanese aftermarket fender?

[This message has been edited by Paul Lower SoCal (edited 05-05-2001).]

By too much work on a used one, do you mean in removing from a donor car ? I bought nos (from gm) 69 fenders in 1985 for 125$ each (shoulda bought a 100 had I known todays's prices ! )...they were a breeze to fit. I would stick with a quality used piece...you will be quality/fit/end appearance/time savings ahead in the end. Just be patient and find a STRAIGHT used one to begin with. Good luck-Shawn

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I've got two from donor cars. The usual rusting out at the bottom where the mounting slots are. They also have other distortions and the usual dings/dents.

Still wondering about the difference between NOS and GM restoration fenders vs aftermarket.

GM hasn't made NOS fenders for many years. 95% of the ones left un-used are the bottom of the barrel. The best ones have been taken. The fit would be better with an NOS panel, but like I said.....The repops are OK but need quite a bit of work most of the time to get them straight and fit correctly. Especially the seams. If you can find a good straight used original panel, I'd use it over old NOS or repops. Even if it needs minor rust repair or minor dents.

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Triple Black 69 SS 396
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1233564&a=9105086&p=37274567&f=0

The trick with used sheet metal is to find one that has only "local" damage. People will pass up a nice fender because of some rust, but is the the rust "local". Is it just the bottom by the bolts that is rusted? If that is all and just a few other dings get it. Now if it has a bunch of dents and rust all over it then pass. I much rather have a fender (or a whole car for tht matter) with one "localized" bad dent or damage than one that has little things all over

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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

The '69 GM fender I bought a couple of years ago certainly wasn't NOS, it was just plain NEW. The date stampings on the box were less than a year old. And at the time I ordered from the Chevy dealer they also could get me quarters if I'd wanted them. I'm certain over the years that GM has still produced various fenders and quarters.

[This message has been edited by Larry (edited 05-07-2001).]

Paul, check out the Original Parts Group 2001 catalog. They claim to have some original GM fenders for your car. It wouldn' hurt to give them a call.

Screw OPG, how about your local GM dealer? I think they are still available. They must be because all the catalogs still list original GM fenders.

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72 SS coupe clone & 68 ragtop, 69 ragtop. www.NoNecksChevelle.com (http://www.NoNecksChevelle.com)

I've talked with Bill #1 at Muscle Factory. He swears the GM ones they sell are exactly like the ones the factory used when making the car. Everyone agree with this?????

The left over NOS parts may be the bottom of the barrel, but I'll take them over any repro part, anytime.

Get the GM parts.

As for your question about repro vs GM Restoration. They are most likely the same. When GM sells the rights to a part/mold, the GM Restoration label follows. To my knowledge you have two 3 choices. 1. Good used. 2. GM NOS. 3. Reproduction.

It is my understanding that Goodmark bought many of the molds from GM and are reproducing many of the body panels for Chevelles. That does not mean that they are of original GM quality. They are all made in Taiwan & are of cheaper/thinner material. You also have to wander how good those old molds are.

Always by used or NOS if possible. Use the repros as a last resort.

My .02.



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Phil Wise
67 SS Convertible
(now on the down slope of the resto curve)
ACES # 834, TC # 231
Photos of a work in progress (http://users.starpower.net/pwise/chevelle)

I can just tell you what I know for sure. I just spent a little over $800 for 2 1968 Chevelle front fenders from Year One. The boxes were stamped Original GM Service Part, and that all GM sheet metal warrantees were applicable. They were made from original GM tooling/dies in the U.S. Year One did a fantastic job of packaging the fenders. They arrived from Georgia w/o a scratch, even though they were delivered by a surly teamster truck driver! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif I haven't hung them on the car yet, but they look beautiful to me. I may sleep in the garage tonight so I can be near them!

p.s.--Since you live in SoCal you better check out a local place, or shipping will eat you alive! (truck freight).

[This message has been edited by Walter Zoomie (edited 05-08-2001).]

Use GM parts whenever possible. The repro parts CAN be OK depending on where they are made. The repro 1/4s that I bought for my 70 were made in the U.S. and were top quality, as good as any GM part I ever bought. My repro front fenders came from Taiwan. I would NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER use these again. Did I say NEVER? I meant NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER EVER EVER!!
Ron

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70 Chevelle SS396
66 Nova SS 327
95 Z28 Convertible.
Aces 3081, TC #54 Gold