Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

My car had some scruffy repairs done to it in the past. All 4 fenders, and the rockers, had a panel layered over the rust. Fortunately they just screwed these panels on, so they're easy to remove.

I have some donor fenders, which also need some repairs, but not nearly as bad as mine. I'll see what I can get done before I need to put the car away for the winter............which in Alberta will be soon!

Don't be fooled, this is the before picture!

Good luck going down that rabbit hole 😜

Right!?!? One Rabbit hole will lead to another, to another, to another, etc......It will be like the movie Inception! I may not find my way back out!

I think it's time for a new plan...............

The more I work with my donor fenders the more I'm realizing they're not as solid as I thought they were. I think I can work with the outer fender, but the wheel well, which is too complex to make for my skill level, is not salvageable. I suspect wheel wells were all the same, so any car from 51-54 should work for my 53 Cavalier. I'm going to check the parts book and see.

THIS IS A RABBIT HOLE EXTRAORDINAIRE!

This might be progress.............I'm undecided at this point!

My loathing for road salt continiues to grow.

Come on now …….YOU CAN DOO IT! Wascally Wabbits
Took me more than 2 days with a friends shrinker/ stretcher just to fashion the metal to fit around one skirt.
It’s doable, just take your time.

Quote:

I'll get there.................eventually!

A little more progress. I'm using the back portion of my donor fender and made a new patch for the wheel opening. Lot of hours into this project so far, mostly because this is another learn as you go project. The driver's side should be quicker.







PS. No, I'm not using a mallet instead of a jack stand. You just can't see the jack stand.

Very nice work! This is a tough section to fabricate and is very often rusted out on Packards of this vintage. Had a '51 200 once that was even worse than yours.