Poss New Purchase...Fender Question

braol

braol

Senior Member
Hello!
I am considering the purchase of a '30 Tudor (Standard). Car looks good. Some time ago a prior owner replaced the two rear fenders with fiberglass items. You can't even tell by looking at it...color matched really well, etc... Should I be worried? I have not looked at the car in person yet but will be there this weekend to see.
Car runs and drives. Only thing that appears to be missing are all 4 shocks (I know...$240/shock)...car seems to be a good deal regardless...otherwise the car is complete.
 
Good negotiating point. No problem if you just want to drive it but you will hear about it if you put it in a show. Take and post a a lot of pictures for comments.

Charlie Stephens
 
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I wouldnt care. Can always be swapped out later if you wish.


wouldnt worry about the shocks either.
 
I have fiberglass rear fenders on my Tudor. I was lways going to change them.I even found a nice steel pair. I never did and they look fine.

John
 
My 30 coupe has fiberglass fenders and running boards. they are smooth with no cracking like my 28 tudor. my coupe is for go and not show so I am happy
 
braol said:
Hello!
I am considering the purchase of a '30 Tudor (Standard). Car looks good. Some time ago a prior owner replaced the two rear fenders with fiberglass items. You can't even tell by looking at it...color matched really well, etc... Should I be worried? I have not looked at the car in person yet but will be there this weekend to see.
Car runs and drives. Only thing that appears to be missing are all 4 shocks (I know...$240/shock)...car seems to be a good deal regardless...otherwise the car is complete.
Click to expand...

Went an looked at a model A to purchase, and I really had to look hard, it had fiberglass fenders, and real solid!

I would suggest, if the rest of the car seems ok and is mechanically ok, have at it. Good luck! And the shock thing, a lot of these cars for sale have no shocks, not unusual. There are a lot of posts on shocks and work arounds using MGA or MGB shocks! Do some searching on the forum. Have fun!
 
Mine have been on since the late 80's, LF has 1 stress crack. Many people have come up at shows and cruises, tapped the fenders and said "they don't make them like this anymore". And they're straight ! ! ! FWIW
Paul in CT
 
Go for it !
I suggest that as you get involved in the car, you won't give the fenders a distant thought.
Best of luck.
 
Keep in mind that should you decide to add a second taillight for safety's sake, you'll need to run a ground wire from the taillight stand to the frame or bumper brackets. Anything metal nearby that will provide a good ground. Fiberglass will not provide the ground you need. 'Had to do this last year to a '30 Coupe with 30 year-old fiberglass fenders.
Marshall
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
Keep in mind that should you decide to add a second taillight for safety's sake, you'll need to run a ground wire from the taillight stand to the frame or bumper brackets. Anything metal nearby that will provide a good ground. Fiberglass will not provide the ground you need. 'Had to do this last year to a '30 Coupe with 30 year-old fiberglass fenders.
Marshall
Click to expand...
Much like wiring a FIBERGLASS BOAT, EVERYHING has to have its' OWN Ground wire!
Bill W.
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
...you'll need to run a ground wire from the taillight stand to the frame or bumper brackets.
Click to expand...


Car already has 2nd taillight installed.


I don't mind non-original parts as long as it doesn't change the character of the car. Heck, I plan to install a (hidden) USB plug and a suction cup mount for my GPS. If I ever rebuild I'll go with the counterbalanced crank and insert type bearings too...but I don't want A/C, 12volts, hydraulic brakes, etc...
 
braol said:
Car already has 2nd taillight installed.


I don't mind non-original parts as long as it doesn't change the character of the car. Heck, I plan to install a (hidden) USB plug and a suction cup mount for my GPS. If I ever rebuild I'll go with the counterbalanced crank and insert type bearings too...but I don't want A/C, 12volts, hydraulic brakes, etc...
Click to expand...

What??
No backup camera!:eek::eek:
 
70% of the As I looked at didn't have shocks. In fact the one I bought was shockless. If you are buying a driver, there are several cheaper solutions than Stipes shocks.
 
slammin said:
"...there are several cheaper solutions than Stipes shocks."
Click to expand...


As a shade-tree (my brother says red-neck) machinist I'm open to rebuilding a set of original shocks. So I will keep my nose to the ground at all the various swap meets. I find the whole argument for/against modern versions of the original Houidalle shocks to be very interesting. Part of me says "only original parts" the budget minded part of me says "don't worry about the judges and go for quality...if not original...parts." Usually original parts are better made than new stuff, so often quality=OEM. At least the math is easy.
 
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