This is mostly an information request as my ADD will not let this go until i figure it out. A couple of years ago I bought what was allegedly a front clip off of a 1957 panel. It has the 57 grill and the ***le said 57. The problem. I tried to put this front clip on a 1958 Chevy truck and nothing was lining up it seems to be short. After doing some research it seems the 1956 fender length was 58 inches and the 1957 was 62. This fender measures just under 58 inches lengthwise on top. Now I realize that previous gear heads may have mix and matched the front clip to get what they wanted. With that being said, does make a difference having come off of a panel? Did the 1957 panel have a 62 inch fender or a 58? Thank you in advance for your responses.
I can’t speak specifically on the panel, but I put a ‘55 front end on my ‘59, the frame on the ‘59 was about 1-1.5 inches longer in front, everything else bolted up just fine, or I just don’t recall any issues I may have had. @squirrel could give a definitive answer
I do not believe a panel should be any different than a pickup. '55.5-57 Chevy clip parts should be interchangeable except the '57 grill is different and requires an indentation in the grill opening surround in each fender and a different lower splash panel. As you found out, the '58-59's are different and longer. Cab at the firewall is the same, but from there forward it's different. Longer, inner fenders, rad mounting, hood, hood springs, hood latch/panel, grille, fenders are different. Best way to do a swap is to do the entire thing from either a '55-57 or '58-59. GMC's will differ from Chevy's too due to differences in grills and rad mounting.
That's how I expected it to go. It's not insurmountable. I can adjust for it. It's more of a WTF question. Thanks for replying.
What I found online showed the 57 to be longer so it had me questioning what I actually had. Thanks for replying. https://www.oerparts.com/product/14148.html Specifications https://www.oerparts.com/product/14145.html Specifications
The ‘55-7 fenders interchange , except as noted above for the ‘57 grill. Post pics of what you have and let us take a look. Fenders, grill and hood.
When I build my '56 Chevy Panel, I replaced the front fenders (you see why) with ones from a '57 pickup. Everything bolted up perfectly...only had to drill a few additional holes to get the '56 grille to work.
55-56 fenders are the same as each other, 57 fenders are the same as them except where the grill fits is different to fit the 57 grille. The 58-59 front clip is completely different, nothing interchanges with 55-57, and as mentioned the 58-59 frame is longer, and the radiator support mount brackets are different. Even the hood hinge holes in the firewall are different.
The only thing that distinguishes the 55 from a 56 fender is the emblem placement which is really a non issue. 57 and on is exactly what @squirrel said.
What everyone else said, if you need me to measure a 57 fender I can, just tell me where to hold the tape.
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