Re: Rear Fender Repairs

Posted by longjohn On 2024/4/7 18:45:15

The front fenders on all 51-54 models are all the same except for the trim mounting holes. The holes are easily patched and you have a fender to make a template for new holes if you need it.
On my last project, I had rust holes, badly patched, on both front fenders of a 54 Convertible. I was planning to graft pieces from another fender but I found a very decent pair of 53 fenders so just replaced the whole fender. As a bonus the 53 fenders were not undercoated. I paid $100 for the pair. I had the 53 fenders stored in my garage for four years before I needed them but they saved me a lot of time and trouble eventually.
So start looking now and maybe you'll come across a good deal somewhere.

I had a larger problem with the badly repaired rear fenders since I needed the two door version. Not only are these models rare but any car that had decent rear fenders was too good to part out. I eventually fabricated my own fender patches out of sheet metal. It was a time consuming but ultimately satisfying task. The hardest part was getting the wheel opening the correct shape/size to accept a fender skirt. This may be a good option for you if your rust out is confined to the area from the wheel back as this part is a pretty simple shape. You may be able to tell what you need to do by looking at the inside of the fender behind the repair to see how extensive it is.