Brand new left fenders announced!!!

[WHO1DMC]

https://youtu.be/ItEReyZzo8k?si=P6sbrfY1HGZeSNeG





Dave B.

[AugustneverEnds]

LFFs, mythical no more!

[JRNY13]

Bravo!

[r00b]

Because of a clerical error more rights were made then lefts. The seemingly low amount of lefts compared to rights caused people to horde them. The hoarders might now decide to sell their fenders. Better to wait and grab an original from ebay then take a risk with DMCH's historically poor quality remanufactured parts.

Alternately you could use something like incremental sheet forming to make fenders or whatever other panels you need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2b_WvCrKVE

[Rhye]

Because of a clerical error more rights were made then lefts.

I've read somewhere that they made a bigger stock of RH ones 'cause the RH die was nearing the need of a time consuming maintenance (not sure if that's confirmed).

Anyway, if it's true that the new-made ones are 20% thinner than OEMs (some facebook sources say that), than I guess it can hardly be called a reproduction part at all - unless the thinner sheet was used for sample part only (not sure if it'd make any sense).

[r00b]

I've read somewhere that they made a bigger stock of RH ones 'cause the RH die was nearing the need of a time consuming maintenance (not sure if that's confirmed).

Could have been I haven't herd that one before though.



Anyway, if it's true that the new-made ones are 20% thinner than OEMs (some facebook sources say that), than I guess it can hardly be called a reproduction part at all - unless the thinner sheet was used for sample part only (not sure if it'd make any sense).

It would not be surprising to me, new cars have much thinner body panels than older ones. My Model T and A fenders are super thick compared to thin sheet metal used today. Also DMCH operates with the greedy algorithm, they choose the cheapest next step which is clearly not the way for maximum profits in the long run. I think that's just because the decision makers are cheapskates, that's why you don't get quality parts from DMCH.

[82DMC12]

I've read somewhere that they made a bigger stock of RH ones 'cause the RH die was nearing the need of a time consuming maintenance (not sure if that's confirmed).

Anyway, if it's true that the new-made ones are 20% thinner than OEMs (some facebook sources say that), than I guess it can hardly be called a reproduction part at all - unless the thinner sheet was used for sample part only (not sure if it'd make any sense).

I'd be careful spreading that rumor. The spec for the original fenders is 0.8mm +/- 0.25mm and the resolution on most of those cheap calipers is in fact +/- 0.2mm. The comparison could simply be margin of error. You would need to measure the both old and new panel with both calipers to prove it. That has not yet been done.

[82DMC12]

There have been a lot of rumors as to why there are much fewer LFF's than RFF's. Some stories I've heard over the last 25 years -

1) Lapple was very much in tune with JIT (just in time) manufacturing and had the factory stayed open they would have produced more LFF's just as the existing supply was running out. Just bad luck, could have been RFF's we run out of.

2) At least one crate was delivered stamped LEFT FRONT FENDER , which was recorded in inventory that way, but when the crate was opened it was actually RFF's

3) a Government conspiracy

Anyway, I've never really worried about my LFF because there are so many of them hoarded and on garage and man cave walls that I know if I ever needed one, I could get it as long as I'm prepared to open the wallet.

[r00b]

The comparison could simply be margin of error. You would need to measure the both old and new panel with both calipers to prove it. That has not yet been done.

Yes that's true, though it would be consistent with DMCH's greedy algorithm approach to everything.

[Rhye]

I'd be careful spreading that rumor. The spec for the original fenders is 0.8mm +/- 0.25mm

That's why I said "if". Actually hope that's just someone's error/misinterpretation.
Didn't expect the tolerance being as high as +/- 31% of thickness (but never had anything to do with sheet metal stamping).

[82DMC12]

For me, I will reserve judgement until I can see the panel mounted on a car in real life with my own eyes, or perhaps from someone else I trust.

[82DMC12]

That's why I said "if". Actually hope that's just someone's error/misinterpretation.
Didn't expect the tolerance being as high as +/- 31% of thickness (but never had anything to do with sheet metal stamping).

Well James did post a factory document showing the spec to be just that. Not sure if the spec was updated after the date of that document.

[r00b]

Well James did post a factory document showing the spec to be just that. Not sure if the spec was updated after the date of that document.

We'll know for sure when someone finally get's their hands on one, personally I'll wait for an original. Heard it will come bundled with their binnacle. :hysterical:

[82DMC12]

We'll know for sure when someone finally get's their hands on one, personally I'll wait for an original. Heard it will come bundled with their binnacle. :hysterical:

I paid big money for a Stevie binnacle a couple years ago - think I'm good on those!

[Bitsyncmaster]

That's why I said "if". Actually hope that's just someone's error/misinterpretation.
Didn't expect the tolerance being as high as +/- 31% of thickness (but never had anything to do with sheet metal stamping).

I would think where the sheet does sharp bends it could thin that much.

[dn010]

It would seem to me that all one would have to do is compare the weight of the new vs old.

[AugustneverEnds]

There have been a lot of rumors as to why there are much fewer LFF's than RFF's. Some stories I've heard over the last 25 years -

1) Lapple was very much in tune with JIT (just in time) manufacturing and had the factory stayed open they would have produced more LFF's just as the existing supply was running out. Just bad luck, could have been RFF's we run out of.

2) At least one crate was delivered stamped LEFT FRONT FENDER , which was recorded in inventory that way, but when the crate was opened it was actually RFF's

3) a Government conspiracy

Anyway, I've never really worried about my LFF because there are so many of them hoarded and on garage and man cave walls that I know if I ever needed one, I could get it as long as I'm prepared to open the wallet.

Another theory I have heard before, more accidents happen on the left side of the car and DMC service centers in the past were replacing left fenders, rather than repairing them, at a greater rate than the right leading to the shortage we have all known about for years. True? I dunno :headscratch:

[Rich]

DMC Classic recently posted a video with details of James Espey's trip to the repro left fender factory. He shows the 4 stage stamping and piercing process.

Link to the fender forming video. (https://youtu.be/2V_adktU3IE?feature=shared)

The first lot is apparently en route to Houston where they'll brush-grain the stainless and pack the fenders for shipment.

Link to their current parts listing for the finished repro left fenders. (https://store.delorean.com/100207a-left-fender-reproduction.html)

I expect these reproductions to perform well for us, not that I need one at the moment.

While they have yet to ship any of them to customers ("available shipping November 2024") this project shows their level of commitment to our community. It's very nice progress.

[ssdelorean]

Another theory I have heard before, more accidents happen on the left side of the car and DMC service centers in the past were replacing left fenders, rather than repairing them, at a greater rate than the right leading to the shortage we have all known about for years. True? I dunno :headscratch:

I have heard this same thing.


Also have heard of mis labeled boxes.

[dn010]

I watched the video... if I have to hear the word bubble wrap one more time, I might lose it.

While I am all for replacement parts, made in China has me nervous.

[mike123]

While I am all for replacement parts, made in China has me nervous.

The original was made in Northern Ireland in the early 80's in the middle of a civil war, and you are nervous about the new ones that you just watched someone make?

[ssdelorean]

The original was made in Northern Ireland in the early 80's in the middle of a civil war, and you are nervous about the new ones that you just watched someone make?

... and they have held up quite well. I personally trust items made pre 2000's as they tend to last almost forever.

My furnace is from 1975 and runs great. Received efficiency notice from gas company and it is performing higher than most in my area. My neighbor on the other hand, got a brand new furnace in 2007. In 2008 a computer chip went bad in February and the water in his toilet bowl froze causing 28K in damages. His replacement furnace broke within another year.

New does not always mean better. Especially when items have plastic parts and computer chips.

This meme is so true :-)

[axh174]

This meme is so true :-)

I love that meme!

Regardless, I am really happy to hear new fenders are being produced! I anxiously await the first reviews!

[82DMC12]

The original was made in Northern Ireland in the early 80's in the middle of a civil war, and you are nervous about the new ones that you just watched someone make?

Lapple is from Ireland, not Northern Ireland. And I don't think it's so much whether or not the Chinese are capable of stamping something, the concern is how does the fender look in ten years. Will it patina differently? Will the car look like a harlequin VW? Does it truly match 100% the 43 year old panels surrounding it? There are TONS of reproduction parts that you can see IMMEDIATELY in the interior that don't match and look like garbage. That's why you see quad-tone gray interiors.

[dn010]

The original was made in Northern Ireland in the early 80's in the middle of a civil war, and you are nervous about the new ones that you just watched someone make?

Uh, yeah, I am weary of anything made in China today.


the concern is how does the fender look in ten years.

This ^. How will it look as time goes on. For instance, my "stainless" exhaust that came from the UK using quality materials, quality assembly with quality assurance and with a "lifetime warranty", turned from stainless to total rust after a few years and it looked awful. They didn't even stand by their warranty when I inquired and complained. They tried telling me something about the metal from the steel dies they use bleeding into the metal of the pipes and they weren't going to do anything about it.

Again, I'm all for replacement parts. I'm not knocking the fenders or the effort put forth. I'd just like to see how they'd hold up over time. Who wants to pay $1,500 every 5-10 years for a fender should they not last.

[Michael]

Given the choice between a crumpled fender vs a male I'm China offering...I'll gladly take the China door.


It reminds me a bit of when I took a BIG chance in reproducing automatic trans filters. I had a few people who said they would reserve judgement until they had some reviews, which I understand, but if everyone was in that boat, I would have never sold them. I'm glad the 95% of the community bought them. The same applies here. People take financial chances and I don't think it was for the financial gain (it wasn't in my case, I didn't it for the experience more than anything).

In other words, I just may buy one to support the endeavor.

[r00b]

You now have the option of having a fender made with digital sheet forming. I'm wondering what their prices are, I'd go with the digital offering over anything dmch would make even if it was more expensive because they can go to hell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou5wPy56B3I

[David T]

I am very suspicious of anything coming from China. I bought a S/S BB grill made in China. It was a LOT cheaper than one made in the US. In 2 years it turned rusty and rotted out. Their S/S is not the same as what we call S/S. It rusts. They just don't make anything of quality. At least from my experience of what they export to the USA. I guess you can take a chance on it if you never leave the car outside?

[Timeless]

Given the choice between a crumpled fender vs a male I'm China offering...I'll gladly take the China door.

It reminds me a bit of when I took a BIG chance in reproducing automatic trans filters. I had a few people who said they would reserve judgement until they had some reviews, which I understand, but if everyone was in that boat, I would have never sold them. I'm glad the 95% of the community bought them. The same applies here. People take financial chances and I don't think it was for the financial gain (it wasn't in my case, I didn't it for the experience more than anything).

In other words, I just may buy one to support the endeavor.
I was graciously donated a few of your auto trans filters from an owner who performed a manual-swap. I feel good knowing I have enough to get me through a few trans fluid changes. Thank you for your efforts. I do need a left fender at some point since mine is not 100% perfect. Good news is replacement can wait and that gives time to see how the repro ones hold up. When it comes down to it I would buy a mint OE fender if the cost is less than the new fender.

[DMC VIN 6639]

I have 4 spare LFF (origin IRELAND) if anyone needs one.