VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Tech Question about fender

Before someone automatically moves this post to "parts wanted", the question is a tech question about whether there is even a part like this in question. I think I might have found a pretty good steel front fender for cheap. I don't need one but I want to cut into it to make it a sidemount spare tire fender. Does anyone know if part of the tire holder that's under the fender is available from any vender? I'm sure sheetmetal shops that fab metal parts for Vintage cars have made them before. I think it drops in from the top and welds under the fender. A close up shot of the well portion would be really nice.I've googled with no luck. Thanks

Below is a 38 buick



A template would be nice since the door opening and hood opening would be critical as far as measurements go.

Sure...I remember seeing a tire "well" available for the trunk of my car...Would seem to be pretty much the same...Cut it to fit right and who would know...?

Oh, now that I noticed a wheel cover on the tire it might not be big enough...

Would seem there would be an after-market replacement for rusted out repair work, such as floors, etc.

It looks like most fit into the hole about 1/2 way down. A trunk spare holder wouldn't go that deep would it? I don't have one,my spare fits laying flat down under a shelf. Where have you seen the sheetmetal for sale or did you?

This is a one of a kind 38 coupe made by GM. Notice the top of the spare is level with the hood, much higher than on the Buick.

I think the door stopper behind the door panel would have to be enlarged so the door would not fully open..agreed? This car has a hood that opens like a normal car (one pc.)not the standard folding type hood.

Looks like the fender has a different slope towards the back end.

Either that or that custom car has 17s on it.The tire fills up the wheel well much better than a normal 38.

The nose on the Buick is longer than a Chevrolet. Their is more room to lower the tire into the fender without causing a problem hitting the wheel/tire.

I think it was on Ebay where I saw them, trunk inserts for '46-'48's...They are sold by the usual suspects...Metal fabricators of stamped replacement odds and ends. You know, those rusted out floor pieces, etc...

My answer may bring up more questions?

I spoke to a car guy a few months back that put a front fender spare tire mount on his 39 Chevy. He sad that he was lucky enough, but paid dearly for the hood off of a woody, which is made different than standard sedans, to open different because of the spare tire. You may have the same problem?

The regular hood half swings out too far and the wagon hood half has the side panel hinged like a 1936 car to prevent this.

There you go. So now you will need to change the hood & cut a big hole in your fender for a spare tire. Another problem would be trying to find, or build a correct mounting bracket to secure the spare. You may be wanting to brake off a bit more than you want to chew with that idea?