VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 31 fenders

Hello everyone!

I am sure this question has been beat to death already but I am new to the site and to my Chevy too. I am curious as to what is interchangable between the local years for fenders on my car. I have read about brackets being different and such which can be swapped out. I have heard that truck fenders will work on cars. What is true and what is a myth. Is there a site that actually has a break down with pics? Please help.

According to the 29-32 Chevrolet Master parts book, the front (with or without a spare well) and rear Fenders for 1931 passenger cars were unique to 1931, with both 1930 and 1932 fenders having different part numbers. There were some Deluxe Panel vehicles for 1932 that shared the 1931 non-well fenders. As for whether some can be doctored to fit different years, you will have to wait to hear from someone else as I have no idea what would be involved.

Gunsmoke's answer covers the basics. While other year fenders can be modified to fit a '31 there are still enough front fenders available to make that more difficult than it is worth. Reproduction rear fenders are available at a reasonable cost so it is not worth modification of other year originals or even poor condition '31s.

I have used '32 splash aprons on a '31. They mount just above the running boards.

--Bill B

Based on previous advice from JYD, I usually refer to the "29-32 Chevrolet Master Parts Price List" as my first source for compatibility between years. Different part numbers usually suggest different fit or design of part, and therefore potential compatibility issues either minor or major.
As for Running Board Aprons, ironically it indicates the left apron (#365569) is unique to 1931 AE models while the right apron (#367388) shares same part # for 1931AE and 1932BA models. Left apron (#367387) for 1932BA is also a unique number. Now just what the differences are between left and right for 1932 would have to be answered by someone who has looked at both aprons.
My point is that checking the parts source is the best first method of checking for compatibility for any questionable inter-year fit.

The difference in the running board splash aprons is the '31s have two holes for the hood hold downs and the '32s don't. It is easy to drill a couple of holes in a '32 apron but a bit more trouble to weld up the holes in a '31 to use on a '32. The reproductions are actually '32 aprons without the two holes.

Hey Chippy Dippy. Can you explain that a little more specifically since the right running board splash apron is listed as the same for both the 1931 and the 1932 models.

Hey chipper,

Do you know what the difference is between 30 and 32 fenders compared to the 31s?

I also thought the repopped fenders covered several years like 30-32. So is it just holes that are different? I have heard that 29 or 30 fenders don't have the flanges to the running boards or aprons is what you called them, which to me would be an easy fix if the price is right. Sorry I will have to get my terminology correct as I go here.

If you are asking about front fenders, the 1929-30 front fenders are completely different than 1932 front fenders.

1929 front fenders differ from 1930 fenders only slightly. They are only differ a little from 1931-2 Truck front fenders. 1931 passenger front fenders are a one year only application. 1932 passenger front fenders are also a one year only.

1929 & 1930 passenger rear fenders are the same. 1931s are a one year only, as are 1932s. There are four different rear truck fenders that cover those 4 years: 1929-30 1/2 ton; 1929-30 1 1/2 ton; 1931-2 1/2 ton and 1931-2 1 1/2 ton.

A technical discussion of the similarities and differences in the fenders takes too much space and time. Can fenders from other years be modified to fit 1931? Yes, with either some extensive work or noticeable differences. Is it only a few holes or other easy to change things? In most cases NO!

The parts book has that listing because they apparently still had some left 1931 aprons in stock and only the right 1932 aprons. It is common for parts to be listed as fitting previous or later years if they basically fit and looked the same with minor modifications. Regardless the 1931 apron has two holes that the 1932 does not.

I really appreciate your guys' input. I can understand that it takes too much time to explain in a posting. I would really like to understand the differences in the fenders for I am a bit scared to pick up a nicer set if I can't even ID them and not sure if the other party could either. I still plan to get a parts listing book but I don't think that will help me to visualize the differences.

I have 3-4 pairs of 31 front fenders, as I've had several over the years.I do know the diff. and mine are all 31, plain and welled. can call at 586-757-5683 or pladclark@sbcglobal.net

If you have fenders on your car now just match them when buying others. If you don't have any fenders then buy them from someone that does know the difference.

So which year has the "Fancy" Scroll at the front of the fender? Generally, which year(s) just has the wire bead? I'll try to post some photos of some very nice welled sidemount fenders for a proper ID. in order to sell them. Main question is: What specific year interchanges with the 1932 Half Ton Pickup? Thanks guys!

32 has the peaks on the front of the front fenders and at the back on the rear fenders, at least mine do.

1932 1/2 ton pickup fenders interchange with 1931 1/2 ton pickup fenders both front and rear. The front fenders are nearly identical to '29-'30 front fenders but there are some noticeable differences if you know where to look. The 1931-1932 1 1/2 ton trucks used the same front fenders as the 1/2 ton pickup; rear fenders are different.

Is there anyone who re-pops rear 30-31 fenders for roadster deliveries and half tons? If so how is the quality?

DD

The rear fenders have been reproduced. The fit and quality of the '31-2s is good. The '30 rear fenders are not the same as '31 rear fenders. Don't know if the reproductions reflect the differences.