Fit of aftermarket 69-73 fenders?

ddubois · 07-07-2009, 02:18 PM

I posted this in the bodywork forum, but no feedback...

I have rusted out headlight buckets on my 71 911T that have resulted in some rust migrating to the fender at the lower edge of the buckets. I'm tempted to purchase new aftermarket fenders rather than have someone cut out the buckets, repair the surrounding areas of the fenders, and install new buckets. I'm thinking that by the time I buy new buckets, pay someone to do the repairs, sell my current fenders which are otherwise in good shape, I'll be getting close to the cost of new fenders. I have some concerns with this though and could use some opinions.

1.) Will I be happy with the fit of new aftermarket fenders? The car is original and the gaps are perfect now.
2.) Who makes the best aftermarket fenders?

Thanks,

jpnovak · 07-07-2009, 02:25 PM

Who sells steel aftermarket early fenders? Can you post a source that you are looking at?

I know that Dansk still makes the stampings. If they fit like the rocker panel replacements they will need a bit of "massaging" but will ultimately fit well. This would be no different than swapping fenders between cars, they are all just a hair different.

ddubois · 07-07-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpnovak

Who sells steel aftermarket early fenders? Can you post a source that you are looking at?

http://*************/shop/shopexd.asp?id=2919

http://www.***************/product.asp?pf%5Fid=P911773&dept%5Fid=4061

jkarolyi · 06:22 PM

Those links you posted are for Porsche factory OEM fenders. Yes, they will fit perfectly. They are also $1200-1500 + shipping! Did you notice the price? I suppose it's not *that* outrageous if you are going for a high quality restore.

Nobody had made aftermarket steel '65-73 fenders in the past 10 years. There used to be repro fenders available, but the quality was very poor from what I've heard. Wish a high-quality repro was available.

Flat6pac · 07-07-2009, 06:29 PM

Why dont you buy a galvinized fender for a couple hundred and have the horn grill and signal bucket moved on to the galv fender. Seen that done many times.
Bruce

Shaun @ Tru6 · 07-07-2009, 06:36 PM

I have a pair of excellent early fenders. One is OEM new and painted red, other is from a 69 and rust free from CA.

Would like $900 each + shipping

ddubois · 07-07-2009, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the input. It sounds like these new fenders will fit well which was my concern. It's just a cost analysis problem now. The ones from Performance would be about $1k each assuming the 10% PCA discount they give me on everything else. Shipping I'm estimating around $200 for both. If I could sell my fenders for around $1k for the pair, and after purchasing a new pair of headlight buckets for $250, and paying someone good to do the welding/repair around $600, well it's getting pretty close and I have two clean, new fenders.

tctnd · 07-07-2009, 07:46 PM

A couple of years ago I bought an expensive so called "OEM" drivers side fender for my '72 from a well known supplier in the midwest. The fit at the cowl/upper door was atrocious. I don't know if the problem lay in the semi hand-made nature of the car (which I know to have never been wrecked) or poor quality in the replacement, but my body guy had to cut and rework it for a decent fit. He's a very experienced Porsche professional who mostly does 356's but didn't seem surprised and said it is not that unusual with replacement panels.
regards,
Phil