Has anyone seen or tried installing the plastic fenderwells from Original Parts Group. I have searched the past forums and seen that a majority prefer steel over plastic. I'm not trying to start that topic again. I'm just trying to see if any tried these fenderwells. OPG says they are made from " New, improved tooling". I have looked at plastic wells from other places that look to glossy and the wrong shape around the flap area. Any input would be appreciated.

I have a set of NOS and the new improved OPGI fenderwells. They are still shaped incorrectly as they are modeled after the steel fenderwells. The NOS and originals have a slightly different shape.

I haven't installed them yet so I can't tell you how they fit. I'd say they would be OK for a driver but if you are doing an accurate restoration, you'll have to find an NOS set.

Let me know if you have any additional questions!

I don't know if they are the EXACT, correct shape or texture (didn't matter to my application) but I installed a set of OPG's plastic inner fenders in my '70 last summer and the fit was fine. No problems with hole locations.

Bill, did you just remove the wheels/tires and pop them in? Were they a tussle? I removed my old, original, cracked, plastic ones when I rebuilt the front end of my '70 this summer. They were trash.

I'd love to get a new set, but I've always been concerned with fitment (not to mention price). I've also considered going with the steel ones, but I'd like to keep the weight down and thought they might be harder to install.

Fairly easy deal or no? I'm going to be running without any fenderwells at all soon....and I really don't like that idea.

Thanks Tony and Bill, I was hoping these new ones would be close to the originals. I have my originals but they are in bad shape. The problem is trying to find a good set of originals and paying the price for them. I keep thinking of going to steel but would like to keep the car the way it is.

I bought the plastic inners to replace the original steel ones. Reason being...one tube on each side of the Hooker headers exits around the outside of the frame. This requires slightly trimming of the inner fender which was easier to do with plastic.

I never even took the front tires off the car...I had skinnies on the car at the time of installation. ;)
I really suspect that some of the install/alignment problems with the replacement plastic inners can be traced back to NON-original, replacement outer fenders. :(

Tony,

Any chance of getting a pic of your NOS ones ? When I took my Heavy Chevy apart a "bunch" of years ago, I trashed the original cracked plastic ones and purchased a set from Ted Williams Chevelle parts. I never did compare the two. The TW ones might even be GM parts, they look very much like the originals, not like the metal ones at all.

Tony,

Any chance of getting a pic of your NOS ones ? When I took my Heavy Chevy apart a "bunch" of years ago, I trashed the original cracked plastic ones and purchased a set from Ted Williams Chevelle parts. I never did compare the two. The TW ones might even be GM parts, they look very much like the originals, not like the metal ones at all.

Bill,

I can do that, but I am out of town for a few days. I can put a pic up most likely Thursday night if that's ok.

Original assembly line and early NOS plastic ones are stamped GM of Canada.I too would like to see a pic of those Tony.I just PM'd you the part numbers.

My OPG's were a little hassle to put on. Some holes didn't line up exact so had to oblong them or redrill. The finishing look looks good. I picked them up in person and refused first set brought out . They stack them about one story high and they get scuff marks on them . Wanted mine perfect. So they brought out a few sets to pick from, all plastic.

Do the repo's have GM part numbers on them like the originals ?

Do the repo's have GM part numbers on them like the originals ?

Mine didn't...

Hmmmm,

Mine might be actual GM parts that Ted Williams was selling at the time. They have the GM part numbers in them and really do look like the originals that came on my 71. Guess I will have to wait till the car is painted to try them and see how they fit.

I have an original passengers side wheel well that is in real good shape, but its out of a 70, i dont know if they are compatable. Im not using it, decided not to run fenderwells. if its compatable id sell it to ya.

I have an original passengers side wheel well that is in real good shape, but its out of a 70, i dont know if they are compatable. Im not using it, decided not to run fenderwells. if its compatable id sell it to ya.

YGM....

Thanks,

Rick

I used them on my 72 chevelle-slight modification-easy to install. The reason that they are better than steel is-plastic=no rusting-plastic was the choice for eastern states that were eaten alive from the lovely salt and other things .

Anyone tried painting theirs? Someone tried painting the ones in my car and I would like to get the chipped paint off and do ir right. I have heard of good products for painting plastic......Any names??

Thanks

Guys,

Here's pic of my NOS units and the OPGI ones I bought recently. The NOS ones are in the foreground. You can clearly see the differences. Unfortunately, I painted the tops of the NOS pieces years ago cause they had scratches in them, even though they were new. I installed them in my Chevelle for a few months and they fit perfectly with NOS fenders. The battery tray and heater hose clamp is still installed on the passenger side fenderwell. If you need any additional pics or info, please feel free to ask!

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Rumblin70SS/tc034.jpg

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Rumblin70SS/tc035.jpg

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Rumblin70SS/tc036.jpg

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Rumblin70SS/tc032.jpg

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Rumblin70SS/tc033.jpg

Tony,

They look just like the ones I got from Ted Williams a bunch of years ago. I should have the car back from getting painted in a couple of weeks and I will find out for sure. Looks like the ones I have might also be OEM parts.

Hmmmm,

Mine might be actual GM parts that Ted Williams was selling at the time. They have the GM part numbers in them and really do look like the originals that came on my 71. Guess I will have to wait till the car is painted to try them and see how they fit.

probably a pretty good chance they are GM. as i recall TW carried a ton of GM parts years ago. BTW is he still in business? when i lived in ohio i went to his shop a couple of times several years ago. seems like it was around Lisbon, OH.

probably a pretty good chance they are GM. as i recall TW carried a ton of GM parts years ago. BTW is he still in business? when i lived in ohio i went to his shop a couple of times several years ago. seems like it was around Lisbon, OH.


Ted Williams Enterprises now only wholesales his products but Lisbon Chevelle & Bowtie Parts bought his retail business and sells his plastic inner fenders. Their phone # is 330-227-3910. Also have a phone # off an old Ted Williams Enterprises catalog that may still get you to him? 216-424-9413. Maybe this helps?

Mark

My originals dont have that big return flange on the a-arm opening. They have the same type of opening as the steel ones. They are plastic, but I wonder if they were different for 69. I know when you buy the repros they say they are good for 68-72. It looks like if I found a set of these I could cut that flange off and they would look more like my originals.