The front fenders on my convertible were damaged years ago and poorly repaired. As part of the restoration process, I am trying to replace them. I recently purchased a Coupe passenger side front fender on Ebay that is in super shape but there is a problem. This fender looks like a 41 Plymouth fender but the distance from the bottom of the headlight hole to the bottom of the fender is almost 13". The fender I have on the convertible measures about 11 1/2". I have a 41 4 door parts car and it measures around 11/12". The headlight hole on the fender looks identical to the 41. Also the fender bolt holes to the inner fender do not match on the purchased fender. Either the fenders on the convertible were replaced with those of a sedan years ago or this purchased fender is for a different car. Does anyone know which is correct? I really appreciate any assistance I can get on this.
Thanks. I tried posting twice with pictures but the file was too large and an error occured. As I look closer, the fenders are identical except the distance from the bottom of the headlight opening is roughly 1" longer on the purchased fender than the original. All of the mounting holes match between the fenders except the area in question, those holes don't match. Is there a difference between coupe, sedan and convertible fenders? Thanks. I have pictures but am just not computer literate enough to be able to post them. If you have an email address, I could send them.
fenders should be the same on all models.....
This question was brought to my attention about 10 years back when I sold a single, left front fender (NOS) to a fellow in N.J.
He drove the 375 miles each way to pick this fender up in person, and was thrilled with what he saw upon arrival here. About 3 months later, I received a phone call from him. He was quite a bit upset, not directly with me, but about a problem he found AFTER he had the fender preped, and painted, ready to bolt on... "This side was an inch to long!" HE, did some investigation work, and found information from someone that the 41's that were considered "commercial cars" some that sported factory, 17 inch wheels, used these longer style, type fenders....True? Hey, I do not know. One thing for sure, other than the fender being a bit to long, it was EXACTLY like any other 41 Plymouth front fender. Maybe if an owner of one of these wonderful cars (sedan delivery) would be so kind as to take a measurement of their fender, we may have proof of this. The gentleman was quite a metal wizard, so he cut the front to make it work fine. He was sick though that this had to be done after all the work was done to the fender, and was ready to mount first!
This is simply a theory of mine, and not a fact. Personally, I would love to know for certain. From that time forward, when I stumble upon front fenders for sale, I measure the front fenders, from the bottom of the headlight opening, to the fender bottom BEFORE I purchase one for resale. Believe it or not, I found one other like the one I had before! It was for the left front also...I smiled and walked away from it.
Thanks for responding. I guess we all get an education on this one and I will definitely measure in the future. Hopefully someone will write and confirm that indeed the sedan delivery fenders are 1" longer. This same individual who sold the fender also has 3 NOS rear fenders (drivers side) and I have to wonder if there is a difference with them? Now, can we find an owner of a sedan delivery willing to check? Thanks again.
There's a note on page 189 of 36-48 parts book about the difference. It appears that although they were first used with the 18" wheel option all plants changed to them for all models at some point in the production year
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To clarify my earlier posting that "they should all fit" -- I meant they would all fit from one body style to another. Studying the 1941 parts book, it appears cars with the 18" High-Clearance wheel option had a different (i.e. longer skirted) fender. Standard wheel size on the 1941 was 16" (no 17"). The 18" high-clearance wheel option was the only year Plymouth used the 18" wheel on passenger cars. The high clearance wheels used from 1933 to 1940 were 20"......
My typing error. Sorry. I ment to type 18 inch wheels, not 17 inch. Looks like fat finger syndrome has struck me again! ::)
Thanks for the help. I am looking into shortening the front of the fender to match the standard fender.