Converting G-body front fenders for 1973 Targa

[SoCal_Lynch]

It seems like there’s an uptick in people taking this approach rather than sourcing, if you can find him even, original early fenders.

Is there any go to vendor for the conversion? Any coaching or lessons learned to pass along?

Thanks!

[evan9eleven]

Sourcing early fenders will likely cost a fortune and they will almost certainly come with rust. Even if they are in good shape they will take work to fit just right.

New fenders from Dansk are terrible in my experience, new fenders from Porsche are said to be much better (but costly of course.)

Welding light boxes on to G-model fenders is certainly an option if you are very precise and extremely patient, and have good welding and metalworking skills or a shop to do the work for you. It is a major undertaking to do the job well.

ST parts and Sportwagen Eckert out of Germany are two vendors for the light boxes, there are others but do your research. I'm told that quality varies greatly.

I found this video to be a massive help: https://youtu.be/U4LLHu4j5QM?si=ISnzl2HHblsqJ0BY

[SoCal_Lynch]

Good morning, and thank you for the reply, appreciate it.

I wonder if the SoCal vendor that makes fiberglass fenders is worth considering as well?

[3rd_gear_Ted]

^^^^ A.I.R. and Getty Design.
Today's acrylic primers make fiberglass parts a doable option.
3M Fusor and some turbo rear quarter panels from A.I.R. worked for me well.

[SoCal_Lynch]

Thanks – looks like the front fenders are all around $1000 for the pair which is pretty attractive.

Can anyone weigh in on quality or fit differences between the various vendors?

Thanks for all of the responses.

[Showdown]

I went with the light boxes from ST parts and they still required a monumental amount of work to make them fit nicely. Had I known then what I know now, I would have just made them from scratch.

There’s no easy path here but keeping your existing fenders at least ensures that they fit your car.


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[SoCal_Lynch]

Thanks Julian - this car was missing its fenders when I purchased it so unfortunately nothing to work from.

Appreciate the feedback.

[Showdown]

Ahh, gotcha… well I guess that’s both good and bad…

Given your situation I’d probably go with new dansk fenders or fiberglass ones. Both will need a lot of work to make them fit the car but at least they won’t be rusty, dented, or need welding work to create light boxes.


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[mepstein]

Buy the Porsche fenders, not Dansk. The fit is far superior.

[SoCal_Lynch]

Thanks for all of the responses and feedback. Appreciated.

I'm not going to be a purist about this car, really just want it back on the road, so leaning towards fiberglass from a local SoCal vendor so I can see them/pick them up.

[mepstein]

Fiberglass fenders are really difficult to fit and look right on a road car. Whatever you save in cost, you loose in bodywork. They are a close approximation of the stock parts but different enough that headlight openings are usually way off. A bumper is one thing but there’s a reason why the glass fenders don’t get used often on road cars.

[Duc Hunter]

I am not affiliated with these guys at all, though I have some of their parts on my '75. They make early steel fenders, early ST style steel flares, front hood pieces and latch panels to convert a later car to long hood....etc. Everything I ache from them has been great quality. Maybe check them out????

Steel ST Arches

Early fender with turbo arch

Shorthood to long hood conversation hood peice

[A930Rocket]

I don’t know if they’re still in business, but do not buy from Better Bodies. What pieces of **** they are.