Model A body panel questions

[Slappymcfinklestien]

I have a '31 5 window coupe that I'm going through. My coupe is a '60's hot rod survivor that neeeds the lower 2-4" replaced and new subrails. It's been chopped, and channeled and is pretty solid. I'm in the process of un-channeling it.
My biggest question right now deals with the rear inner wheel well. What I haven't been able to figure out is how deep is the recess for the rear quarter wheel wells is supposed to be? I think mine might have been tubbed a little because I have a rolled piece of steel that is about 3" wide and the inners are gone. I'm pretty sure it was done to add more room for a wider tire to fit a narrowed axle. The reason I'm asking is all the aftermarket panels I've found are flat with a small lip on the bottom (probably ties into the subrail) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

 

[white64]

My coupe is in the same condition, I took some mearsurements from a stock coupe.

from inside wheel well to wheel well ... is 42"

 

[Mike V. Florida]

It's been chopped, and channeled and is pretty solid. I'm in the process of un-channeling it.

Now that is something we don't read about here! Please keep us informed as to the progress.

 

[31apickup]

You may want to install the sub-rails first before tackling the wheel wells. I can take some pictures of my coupe and post. The wheelwell portion that is sold is is just the flat piece of the wheelwell, the wheelwell itself is inset at least 2-3 inches.

 

[Aerocraft]

You might consider using the rear fenders to help set the location for the wheel wells. When I installed portions of new subrails and crossmembers in my Coupe, I had the body on the frame and used the frame as a jig to locate the subrails correctly. In turn, that set the width of the wheel wells which were new. The running boards and splash apron located the fenders which in turn helped located the wheel wells. Gar Williams

 

[31apickup]

Here are several pictures, one of the outside right rear and the other of the inside left rear. The wheel wells are not a uniform depth, but vary to the deepest of about 3 inches. i just repaired the rear sub-rail on mine, the lower outer wheelwell hasn't been done yet.

 

[TommyCoupe]

I'm right about at the same stage.

For a sanity check, can you tell me approximately what this measurement is ?

Tommy-

 

[Flop]

tommy what measurement do you need?


EDIT

nevermind now i see ! i dont think any of the cars in the shop are solid enough to get that . i just use a fender to line things up .

 

[TommyCoupe]

I'll have to see if my fenders have enough metal in this area to line it up.

Tommy-

 

[31apickup]

The passenger side measures 1-1/8", the drivers side is a little less. Both have had patch panels installed years ago.

 

[TommyCoupe]

Oh thanks 31apickup.

I'll use that as a guide.

Thanks again,
Tommy-