Bolt on rear fenders, what's the point?

Why did they bolt on rear fenders of the cars in the 40's and 30's? Is there any reason not to weld the fenders on when rebuilding a car? I have a 46 Studebaker and my plan is to widen the rear fenders by an inch and to do that by welding a 1 inch strip to the fender and the body. Is there any reason I shouldn't do this? Thanks

 

My fenders are welded to the body and I love the look. The main downfall is if I get hit in the rear fender area the repair is much harder.

 

more work for an ***embly line than to bolt something on....a lot of cars have their fenders welded to the bodies for custom touches. i do it all the time on the mercs. just make sure you have all rust issues fixed, parts lined up and once its done pray you dont run into anything.

 

Faster, easier, cheaper, easier to repair, don't have to line up "perfect", they hadn't thought of welding em on yet ........

 

I have a small book put out by Chevrolet in 1949 discussing the "integral fender design". it was aimed towards the men in the body shop. I guess it was a big deal when they finally made cars with fenders that did not come off.

 

I guess Mr. Kaiser and the Henry J's were slow to catch on, they had bolt on rear fenders into the 50's, but then again they WERE sold in Sears Roebuck My friends Henry J has a built 468 with a Rock Crusher and 4:88's, better see if he has Grade 8 bolts holding those fenders on.................

 

Why not cut the fender and weld in a 1 " strip? Some cars just look better with bolt on fenders.

 

Out of curiosity...why do you need that inch so bad? That is an *** LOAD of work, do you really have to do it?

Good luck, -Abone.

 

I not a lover of seamless p****s.I been around rust all my life and I seen this as a quick fix for rust repair. I know it is a custom treatment done in the 50`s but I have a tuff time trying to get into the smooth look.I see a sod box.I like to see seams.But that is just because of my up bring.to each their own.

 

I don't need it but the fenders aren't on the car now and I bought a car that has been apart for years and someone has been in there doing patch work. So I have to fix thier work and then figure out how to put it together as there isn't a flange around the whole fender I'm not real sure how it is supposed to be on there. I did order an original ***embly manual to offer some insight as to how it goes but I thought welding them on wouldn't be too bad and while I was there to widen them abit. The widening does scare me a bit but putting them straight on shouldn't be too hard.

 

so, you're pissed that the guy before you cut off the fender flanges you need to bolt on your fenders, and displace that anger toward the folks who originally designed the car?

when these cars were new, folks weren't making 2 and 3 grand a month. when they got damaged, the repairs had to be affordable; and had to be easily done. how many shops of that era could cut off welded on fenders, clean up the damage, and weld on new ones for a price joe schmo could afford?
it's tough as hell to weld a seam at hobby level (got all the time in the world, go as slow as you want) and not get warping, think how ****ed up a long fender seam would get if a repair guy was rushed!

 

Ruining the car comes to mind, but it is your car, worry about resale value later.

 

ease of ***embly, and replacement

it would be such a ***** to have to cut em off and reweld on..im glad they bolt on