Source for body panels?

[MackGuy]

Hello,

My 73 Targa has the driver side front fender in pretty poor shape due to excessive rust. I have been watching classifieds and such but have not been able to find a replacement. A few have been posted on the classifieds here but I never received responses from the listers.

In any event, are there any companies that make reproductions of these that are good?

I see that Getty makes some, but they are either carbon fibre or some other material. Has anyone used those on a street car, and if so with what results?

Thanks!

[techweenie]

I have heard that the reproduction fenders being sold in Germany are quite good. Hoping someone will pony up for a batch and bring them over here.

TRE has built a few cars with carbon fiber or FRP fenders. They can take a lot of work to get right.

But consider how many longhoods are running around with fiberglass bumpers. Street suitability is not really an issue

[Halm]

Restoration Design?

[MackGuy]

A single fender from Restoration Design is $200 more than a set of Carbon Fiber fenders from Getty... ?

[TRE Cup]

Fiberglass fenders have two disadvantages when it comes to installation; at least the ones we source from Getty Design (imho the best of the bunch when it comes to composite fenders).
First off the headlamp bucket is made of fiberglass. So the headlamps you intend to use may not secure properly. In these days of $600 headlamps; seeing one surfing across an intersection when hitting the brakes hard is not the best feeling to enjoy. So there either needs to be some extra fab work to install lamps securely, or bond in a reproduction steel headlamp bucket (more expense and time)

Second the turn signal/horn grill areas will need some time to get the lamps and grills installed there so they fit right. Metal is a much better material when it comes to thin section areas compared to fiberglass.

The rest of the install goes pretty well, and fit is very good.

Strength of the chassis: The fenders impart a minor additional stiffness to the front tub, but not as much as you think. Your impact absorption is lessened as the 'glass breaks away while metal crumples. When it comes to early 911 impact resistance, we are not talking modern protection in any case; so this is a little moot.

Weight: If you replace steel with all composite on the front end, you need to change your suspension to compensate. You have increased the rear ward bias of the car and increasing initial turn in under steer to be followed by over steer . So it makes the car more "edgy" unless you adjust your suspension and driving style to match

BTW- steel repro fenders at $1475 are still several hundred dollars less than those from the dealer. Would love to see a repro and new factory fender side by side. Porsche has been sourcing the "classic" parts from outside vendors for several years

[MackGuy]

Is anyone familiar with auto atlanta?
Porsche 911 Exterior Panelling Parts

They list a LF fender for $1400 or just under $450 "without filler neck"

[tdw28210]

Get real ones. On the East Coast? DC Auto in Rocky Mount, NorCar.

[MackGuy]

DC Auto has them for $850... Rocky Mount is driving distance from me. Are they a well known respected source?

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by MackGuy

DC Auto has them for $850... Rocky Mount is driving distance from me. Are they a well known respected source?

No issues whenever I have dealt with them. I have never been onsite, but I have talked with them multiple times. Not the place if you are just looking for a single bit or one small piece as shipping can be a little steep. But good for the big stuff and you are driving anyway, so you should be good.

[MackGuy]

Thanks for the note... good backup source if I don't find something through classifieds by the time I need it.

[MackGuy]

Your picture didn't show up for me.. ?