Topic: 65 fenders (must be fender week... with pics!)

[ppc66]

Hello,

So here are some pics of my 65 metuchen built 28U coupe's fender. I started stripping down the passenger side fender because the lower section and support rusted out and the pinch/hem seam was swelling from the rust in that area. (Pic 3) The only date code I found was on the inner support. Looks like 8 11 C8 (pic 1), no dates on apron to fender flange, no triangles.

In pic 2.... There is what appears to be either - an agressive grinder hole or a over zealous spot welder hole near the top by the door/ windshield corner. There appears to be some slag on the underside of that hole. Also, the upper flange section of the inner bracing isn't attached to the fender, so that leads me to believe the spot welder was having a bad day.
I used stripper and a razor, so I know I didnt make the hole. There was what looked like primer filling the hole under the first layer of. The fender had metal, primer, color, primer, color... quite thick... The primer on the inside is red oxide and has body color (wimbeldon white).

The driver side fender is stamped 7 13 D2 (pic 1) on the fender to apron flange. I havent started stripping this yet. The only major defect is the area behind the headlight is rusted out. I'm 'pretty sure' this fender is original to the car.
I'm 99% certain the passenger side nose was hit because the battery apron was crumpled on that section of apron. Perhaps it was hit twice in the same apron... (the other 3 aprons have a VIN, the battery one doesn't, but the undercoating looked consistent). (Pic4)

So, what I want to know for curiousity sake...
what 'is' the 8 11 C8 fender?
Does the battery apron usually have a VIN?
Should the date stamp on the driver fender jive with the dates on things like:  build sheet sched date, shock towers, the apron to cowl connectors rock guard/grill support? How far can dates be 'off'?

Honestly, now I want to strip the driver fender just to see how different the manufacturing processes are. Scope creep... pic 5 is how she sits right now. Nope, not concours, but I love learning and applying the techniques where I can. Love this site and knowledge shared!

Thanks!

Perry

[CharlesTurner]

The 8 11 one looks like 8 11 D3 with a reversed D.  It could possibly be a '6' instead of an '8' also.

[C5ZZ]

From what I have seen the battery apron did not
have a VIN stamped into it but the other three did.

[J_Speegle]

................So, what I want to know for curiousity sake...
what 'is' the 8 11 C8 fender?

The last "8" is most likely a "3" since this indicated what shift (1-2 or 3) the part was stamped during as Charles mentioned

And agree with C5ZZ - no VIN on a 65-66 battery apron

[rodster]

From what I have seen the battery apron did not
have a VIN stamped into it but the other three did.

Maybe I'm confused, but what other three are you referring too?

[J_Speegle]

Maybe I'm confused, but what other three are you referring too?

Believe he is referencing the "other" three inner fender panels which did receive VINs. Driver's side front inner, driver's side rear inner and the passenger side rear inner fender panels (top lip where the fender attaches

[jwc66k]

The "other" two VIN stampings are located on top of the fender apron very close to the hinges but hidden by the fender. You can loosen the rear most three fender bolts of either fender, gently pry up the fender and see the stampings. An optional method is to look from inside the fender well after scraping away the sprayed on undercoating (or whatever they call it).
Jim

[rodster]

Thanks for the clarification... I'll have to check the VINs on my 65 sometime.

[ppc66]

Well this confirms quite a bit for me as I was unsure about the passenger front apron's originality.  Have also found a date stamp on the corral surround (jul 21 65), and a 7 27 D2 on the lower grille support.  Bumper, valance and upper stone guard are repro pieces as far as I can tell. Tracking down these data points certainly adds a new dimension to the hobby and a deepened respect for these cars.

Perry

[ppc66]

The DS fender. 
Wonder what the jclip on the inner support for... someone on assembly line walking by? pic 1.
Note thick undercoating at top flange bend. A good 3/8 thick... pic 2.
Rusted out behind headlight. This will be patched with metal... pic 3.
Bondo n fiberglas... hope this can be mostly dollied out... pic 4.

There are some dings and dents above the bondo on the wheel lip. Also noted some asphalt based looking stuff UNDER the primer around the wheel well opening. It went from the front edge, up around the wheel opening and along the lower fender, like a 2" wide brush did it..

-Perry

[67gtasanjose]

"

Wonder what the jclip on the inner support for... someone on assembly line walking by? pic 1.

Obviously, and as you already mentioned...this car has been repaired (or restored) before.

In my opinion, I probably wouldn't consider this as something done on the "asembly line" but instead something done afterwards.

Richard