Hello all. I need to replace my 69 firebird inner front fenders. There seems to be at least a half dozen people re-poping them. Unfortunately, these things are expensive to ship to allow inspection. Could anyone tell me which brand replicates the originals the most closely, that don't require trimming, and have the same look and weight as OEM? I hear great things about Dynacorn, Goodmark, ADM, ect, but don't know which is the best. It seems I have found two quality levels at least with reproduction parts, the cheapest thinnest not so close to correct, and the well made heavy expensive stuff.
I want the best part out there, and while prices vary, I can't see the difference. I know some inner fenders are really made for cameras and have to be trimmed, but I can't determine how to ensure how to separate them from the others before I order? I want original weight metal, not thin crap.
Anyone experienced replacing these advice would be greatly appreciated.
So far this is what I've found. All of the below inner fenders do NOT match the OEM 1969 part. They are close, but very easy to tell apart from OE stuff. The fact that they are all wrong the exact same way has me very supsecious that they are all made at the same place. Prices are all over the place also.
AMD Auto Metal Direct 106-X250-5569-L $158 "X"" prefix part numbers are not manufactured using new AMD tooling but are considered to be a viable solution on most vehicles and have proven to be workable in the restoration world.
Golden Star IF11-69L appears AMD is renumbered goldend star product
Ecklers 75-263315-1 $169.99
Year One JR69LH $169.99 unknown manuf
Summit 1662180 $89.95
Firebird Central SHE-2540L 159.95 REFUSED TO DISC MANUF
Dynacorn 1039ZB advises steel is thicker than stock
On the OE stuff, the leading edge has 2 dimples or creases, and the trailing edge does NOT have a flip up edge at rear toward the body. ALL of the repos so far are identical so far with these differences. I have compared against my OE unit and other OE units out there. How many people will notice the differences? Very few except for me...
I have used both Dynacorn and Goodmark inner fenders, and I'd say they were both 97% accurate.
You do need to cut the front edge off as I believe they manufacture these for 'Maro. Not a big deal as long as you have your originals to see where to cut. And the cut portion is buried deep by the core support so they are hidden from view. I think you trim off about an inch x the width of the leading edge. (6" maybe?)
I don't recall thickness, but they did not appear flimsy in either case.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold