Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical 51-52 2dr vs 4dr front clip ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Jman3710, Sep 26, 2023.

  1. Jman3710
    Joined: Sep 26, 2023
    Posts: 2

    Jman3710

    Hey guys! 1st timer here, but have used the site 100's of times over the years.

    I am the owner of a beautiful 2 tone Spring green 52 chevy Styleline Deluxe that was hit friday night along with a few other of our vehicles by a DUI driver.

    What im attempting to find out, is if the 51-52 4dr sedan Front ends are identical and interchangeable with the 2 door cars. Ive found one a few hours away in my same color combo that id like to pickup for parts, but dont want to jump the gun!
     

    Attached Files:

    Tow Truck Tom likes this.
  2. Should be exact same parts
     
  3. Jman3710
    Joined: Sep 26, 2023
    Posts: 2

    Jman3710

    I figured it should be as well. But looking for a positive confirmation before pulling the trigger on the parts car.
     
  4. I know my 53 4 door has the exact same fenders as a 53 two door
     
    Tow Truck Tom and Jman3710 like this.
  5. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 24,340

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    2 and 4 doors have the exact same front clip. guaranteed :)
     
    51 mercules, Nostrebor, Tman and 2 others like this.
  6. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,642

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Your golden, right color and they are the same.

    I do hope the DUI driver was caught and got a room at the Gray Bar motel. HRP
     
    Budget36 and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  7. 05snopro440
    Joined: Mar 15, 2011
    Posts: 2,955

    05snopro440
    Member

    The only differences may be from differences in trim between models (just holes that yours has that others may not), but 2-door and 4-door have the same front end. If it's the same color, grab it quick.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2023
    Nostrebor likes this.
  8. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,850

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    All have 115 inch wheelbase. I'm thinking that back in high school I helped a buddy put a 4 door nose on his hardtop after a similar mishap.
    The GM heritage center archives have most of the measurements. pages (gm.com)
     
    Tow Truck Tom and 05snopro440 like this.
  9. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,397

    Squablow
    Member

    They are, and the front fenders and bumper are the same back to 1949. Shame about the wreck, but looks very fixable. The good pieces you don't end up using from your parts car would sell real well on eBay if you've got the time to do it, they part out very well, even 4 doors.
     
  10. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 8,092

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    They may be the same paint code, but they're probably not the same exact color. Your car looks very well maintained so the color will unfortunately be quite different from that on a parts car, given the possibility of a repaint and years in the sun. It happened to a friend of mine. We thought he lucked out, but after the installation, it was close, but no cigar.
     
  11. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 24,340

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    49-50 fenders, front pan, and the riveted on piece of the inner fenderwells in front of the radiator do not interchange with 51-52 because of the different grilles.
     
    Nostrebor likes this.
  12. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 24,340

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    as stated the leftovers sell great on ebay. I've sold a lot of 49 - 54 parts on ebay over the years. parted a rusted out 51 4 door and sold every piece that was still usable. the only good part I scrapped was the bare frame, but that was after I cut out the transmission cross member.

    51 Fleet (187)a.JPG
     
  13. 05snopro440
    Joined: Mar 15, 2011
    Posts: 2,955

    05snopro440
    Member

    A bit of polishing can drastically change the colour of old paint (removing oxidation), so a person may have room to play.

    It may not end up exact, but it's better than a fender of the entirely wrong colour on such a pretty car.
     
  14. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,194

    BJR
    Member

    I can't think of a 40's, 50's or 60's car where the front sheet metal is different between a 4 dr and a 2 dr. Is there one?
     
  15. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,397

    Squablow
    Member

    I knew the pan was different, I didn't know the front fenders were different, I thought it was only a matter of different holes cut in for the parking lights. That's good info to know.
     
  16. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,397

    Squablow
    Member

    Only example I can think of is late 60's Chevelle wagons and El Camino have different front fenders than the cars do, I can't think of any that are different between 4 door sedan and 2 door sedan/hardtop though.
     
  17. WiredSpider
    Joined: Dec 29, 2012
    Posts: 1,287

    WiredSpider
    Member

    . 1953 Studebaker
     
    BJR likes this.
  18. kjmmm
    Joined: Dec 7, 2011
    Posts: 25

    kjmmm
    Member

    If I remember correctly 53-54 Studebakers front clips were different between the two and four doors.
     
    BJR likes this.
  19. 38Chevy454
    Joined: Oct 19, 2001
    Posts: 6,768

    38Chevy454
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Agree the 4 dr Chevy parts will work. In general, 49-50 interchange, 51-52 interchange and 53-54 interchange. 49-52 have more commonalities than the 53-54.

    I parted out a 52 Chevy 4 dr sedan, that I bought to get parts needed for my 52 Ute. Sold off what was extra, almost all went to guys working on 2 dr cars. If you have the space and time, get the whole 4 dr car, and sell off what you don't use. Chances are you will come out money ahead and get your parts for free; except for the labor.
     
    Squablow likes this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.