Does anyone know the interchangeability of '41 and '46-'48 Ford front fenders? I found someone selling a '41 hood and front fenders. I've always dug that ugly front end and would love to put it on my '47.
Kirk just worry about the rest of your car the right look for your front end will come along did you ever get ahold of kojack to go look at that stash of grills ???
They should be the same, except for the grill part obviously. Dont take my word on it, but ive heard that the only other differences is the width of the trunk area.
Nah, I was just going to settle with simplifying the stocker. Then I saw this setup for sale. I really like the '41 front ends. If it's just a matter of bolting on new fenders.....that would be ultra simple. I'm sure in the end I'm still just going to go with stock minus the top and bottom shiny bits. I have to get this thing moving if I want to make Paso. So I know I am going to have to start making up my freakin' mind.
yeah i saw the add your talking about good price!!! But are you doing a custom or what ??? I really liked the direction you were going after you came back from Gene`s work shop. It reminds me of Cleatus`s ride he really pulled it off with that chevy man. I think you could too how is the top comeing along ????
The '41 sheet metal is completely different, but will bolt on and make a good looking custom, but if it's historical your after the custom guys went the other way and put '48 front ends on their '41's for an "updated" look.
Levis- I like the couch smack dab in front of the***** tube! LOL Slazzen- The top is coming slow. The suspension is done. I think I'm just going to take it down to Eric's shop in Gilroy and have him finish the chop. Once I start working I'm just not going to have the time. Plus, I'm a chassis guy. I hate body and finish work. The plan is still to keep it simple. Chop, reasonably lowered (done), 302, C4, T-Bird wraparound rear seat, '53 Stude caps, just leave the beltline trim, lose the running boards with Winfield's kit, maybe louver the hood, spray it the copper I did the wheels (but suede) with gloss black scallops (sort of) around the trim and stitch the guts in white, black and copper. I decided not to mold in the fenders. Too much work for too little result. I just want to get started on the '27. That's where I want to go crazy with the cheeze whiz (fabrication). The stuff coming together for that project is killer.
It is my arrogant opinion that the '41 is the ONLY good looking front end Ford put on that entire body series. The rest of them just look too "flat" across the front, and therefore don't work with the curvy body. PLEASE put it on you car in the name of beautifying America The grill(s) is repoped so getting one shouldn't be difficult.
[ QUOTE ] It is my arrogant opinion that the '41 is the ONLY good looking front end Ford put on that entire body series. The rest of them just look too "flat" across the front, and therefore don't work with the curvy body. PLEASE put it on you car in the name of beautifying America The grill(s) is repoped so getting one shouldn't be difficult. [/ QUOTE ] What he said. Billy
Although my first choice would still be the '41 Mercury front end, but if you can get the '41 Ford go for it!
I'm with DrJ on this one. There've been some absolutely stunning '41 Ford customs in which the front sheet metal and brightwork didn't stray very far from the original scheme if at all. Few fat-Ford customs are as drop-dead gorgeous as the '41 coupe Sam Foose built for Randy Harrison about three decades ago. Built long after the day, Sam nonetheless styled and built the car very much as an evolution of those he was customizing when he was in high school in Santa Barbara in the '50s. And if you have any concerns about the enduring beauty of the '41 front in a custom, look at Sam's own '41 convert he built for himself 6-7 years ago.
Something to check: The '42-8 has a wider track than the '41. Make sure the wheels won't hit the fenders.
The 41-42 share the same mounting arrangement for the radiator and the front sheet metal. And its a bit different from the 46-48. But i dont think its a big deal. I have some pic's somewhere and i can look for them if you like. So i say go for it. But in my opinion the 42 front is the ultimate one, the 41 fender was cut in two parts, because the could not make the fender as one hole part.Creating that "ugly" line...
"Ugly line"?! I'm guessing that you're being humorous and just forget to add the smiley face at the end of your post, like this. The horizontal character line between the top and bottom strikes of the '41 Ford front fenders is graceful and glorious! I think you might be confusing an early problem that the Ford stamping plants had in creating the lower-half of the front fenders in a single strike; it's a complex and tight shape. In the early months of the '41 model year, Ford struck the lower fender half in two sections and seamed them at the 12 o'clock position in the wheel opening. As often happened, Ford worked out the "wrinkles" and struck the lowers as a single piece before they were half-way through the model run.
Ok lets agree to disagree, Yes the line was put in there because of stamping problems, and if i remember right, even the designer (cant remember his name just now) did not like that line. But it really does not matter, if you like it its good enough for me I like the front on the grille on the 41 its a real Kustom Grille.
I have about 30 1941-8 parts cars and the noses interchange. The main body shells are the same. The 41 used a little bracket on the firewall I think to space the hood at the rear on the side. Hard to explain. The 41 also used different running boards and had braces under them. 41 Merc nose won't work as they were a different wheelbase. Nice looking front end though.
41 was a much better looking design IMHO....the headlights are about 7" closer together on a 41 front end so there isn't as much overhang to contend with...FlyinJ1 has been working on a customer-car forever...a shortened 46 bidness coupe [now a 3 window coupe] with a 41 front end on it. Looked kick-ass until the customer decided he wanted a rectangular grille opening for a repop 53 corvette grille!
[ QUOTE ] ..lose the running boards with Winfield's kit, [/ QUOTE ] I would like some info on this kit.
The head man with regard to Ford design and styling at the time was no less than Bob Gregorie. I can see Gregorie being concerned about the homely verticle seam at the top of the wheel opening with the early fenders but can't imagine him being uncomfortable with the horizontal connecting line. I'd appreciate a link to your information source. Styling and design of American cars and trucks is a major interest of mine, and I like to be as current and accurate as possible.
Hey Donzie... It's a kit that basically extends the bottom of the door and body to fill where the running board would have shown on the side. So is there a definitive answer? It sounds like the '41 front end will fit. Yes? How will it work with the radiator/fender support?
It is a funny shaped piece of metal about 3 inches long that goes on the side of the cowl at the top where the hood*****s up against the cowl. It must be a spacer of sorts that wasn't used again for the 42 models as the 46-8's don't have it either. Probably long gone on most cars. I did the body on a 41 once that had it. Don't know that any of the 41's at the farm have one. Nutz
[ QUOTE ] How about this one? This one was built by Don Lowe of Oregon. Great looking cars! [/ QUOTE ] NOW THAT"S WHAT I"M TALKING ABOUT!!!! Is that a '41 or a later with the earlier front end?
Hey Curbspeed..........I've walked around Don Lowe's car in his driveway at the old shop in S.E. Portland....God, he does nice work and his coupe is no exception.
Thats a 41 all the way. Notice how he did away with the fender lines and left a molded line where it was.Don Lowe it a metal god. My friend Denny Hall owns it now. Kirk, I think you better go with the 41 nose. You would love it.
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