Fender damage on C1 (Fender or surround)?

[Al R.]

My C1 has outer and inner fender damage resulting from collision with a dog from a previous owner. Is it better to replace the upper fender and inner fender only or put a new upper surround on it. I don't want repair lines to become visible several years down the road as they are now. Cost would be somewhat of a factor, but not much. If it matters, this is a high optioned highly documented 3 owner 290HP RPO276 with RPO686 car, so I definitely want it done right!

[Richard M.]

Re: Fender damage on C1 (Fender or surround)?

Al,

Pictures of the damaged areas would help. Is it the side fender(below the bonding strip), or the area above the bonding strip?

Based on how the old repairs were done i.e. if a poor quality repair, is it an option to re-repair it properly?

It's a big job to replace a top surround and the inner skirt(s). Then you loose all of the "good" original FG.

Rich

[Al R.]

Re: Fender damage on C1 (Fender or surround)?

Richard, it's the area above the bonding strip and the inner fender would definitely need to be replaced as it was jig-sawed puzzled back together in the front end of the inner fender. The upper surround is slightly bowed down over the wheel well where the fender was pieced. Also, a metal brace was added from the bottom of the radiator support to the underside of the area between the headlights (I guess to hold everything up on the passenger side and to align that part up with the front of the hood. Pictures don't really show up that good with any type of useable detail.

[Richard M.]

Re: Fender damage on C1 (Fender or surround)?

Al, Ideally, a honest inspection by a Corvette body expert would be the best advice. This way they could look at all of the details for a best solution. It's hard to visualize the issues without viewing, touching, feeling the repairs.

Whatever you decide, it sounds like some major work.

Rich

[Al R.]

Re: Fender damage on C1 (Fender or surround)?

Thanks Rich, I'm not sure who to let look at it since the passing of Wayne Womble. He was the only true vette restorer I knew of in my area (just east of Raleigh, NC)

[Richard M.]

Re: Fender damage on C1 (Fender or surround)?

Yes it's tough to find good Corvette folks. Wayne was certainly one of those good guys. The Corvette world is missing him.

Maybe try to contact the local Chapter for some guidance. I hope you can get it resolved without too much difficulty. It sounds like a really nice car to get right.

Rich

[Chris S.]

Re: Fender damage on C1 (Fender or surround)?

Al
Where are you located ?
If the repair is done and seamed under the bonding strips - a repair/replacement can be made to look OE