Brand new left fenders announced!!!

[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.

[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.

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

[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.

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.

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

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.