VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 23-24 Front Fenders

Here's a fender puzzle: I have three fenders that are presumably 23-24 but all three are slightly different. Here are some photos. Perhaps someone can help me sort these out. Overall, at first glance, all three fenders look pretty much alike. I believe fender #1 to be correct for my '24 touring. I bought #2 & #3 as mates, but they differ in subtle details. Can you tell me what I have?



The notch for the radiator shell on 1 & 2 match in length. (Ignore the seeming variation in width. It only appears that way because these fenders need some straightening. They really do match.)

#3 has no notch.

Note the sharp crease on the inner radius on #3. #2 appears to match this. #1 (which I believe to be correct for 1924) has no crease and is smoothly rounded.

Note the slightly more rounded radius on #2. I believe #1 to be correct for 1924.

#3's radius matches #2.

In addition, the raised crown on #1 is shallow and slightly over 6" wide. The crown on #2 & 3 appears slightly sharper and is just under 6" wide.

Have I confused everyone enough? I know these are tiny details, but they're just enough to make me nuts trying to get a pair of fenders to MATCH! If fender #1 is correct for 1923-1924...what are #2 & 3 for? (Or did Chevrolet just have that much variation in production during this period?)

Thanks!

Here are all three fenders side by side. I believe #1 to be correct. what are #2 & #3?

Hi Tom,
I guess somedays no one wants to talk about 24's so I pulled my two fenders down out of the loft and compared them to your three. It looks like we have five fenders with no match but mine are closest to #3. I can explain part of this mystery because when my fenders were returned from the paint strippers they appeared very much like #2. The nasty little tin worms had eaten away most of the sheet metal along the frame rails so I had all of that sheet metal and square sections, in parts of the splash guards by the headlight supports, cut away and new sheet metal welded in. The result is no notches like #1 and #2 at all and many of the holes like your fenders show are now gone. #2, although the ugliest may be the only original of all five. There may be many other differences in the rest of my car as much metal has now been replaced along the running board splash aprons and everywhere the body was in contact with the frame. Its kind of like the mythical 200 year old axe as you might find on E-Bay, that has had three new handles and two new heads.
Herb

Well, the mystery persists. I sent these pictures to Jim Farris (VCCA 23-24 tech advisor) but he's away from home and said I'd have to wait awhile until he returns to his pictures and reference materials. He did mention that there is some variation between the car and truck fenders. (But not specifically what it was.) In the meantime, #1 actually seems to match most closely with restored Superiors I've seen and is the one I'd like to find a mate for. Mostly I want to match the smooth inside front radius (no crease as on #3). You seem to indicate that your fenders have the sharp crease like #3. The slight difference in the height and width of the raised center portion is also troubling. It's the kind of thing that would bug you but you'd never quite know why! Hopefully, Jim can shed some light. In the meantime, whatever the configuration, I just want a left and right that MATCH!

Hi Tom,
I am not sure I see what you mean by sharp crease but I think mine are both rounded in that area. I did take some pictures the other day but had trouble downloading them so I just tried again and maybe they will help. The picture of the car is about 20 years ago and is all in pieces now. Click on www.cybersurfers.net/~herb/herbs.htm
Herb

When I get a chance I will also take pictures of my fenders. Right now the lights in the barn are pretty dim though. Those florecent bulbs don't like this 10-20 degree weather. We can't fit all the cars into the heated shop!

Tom, #3 is a 23. I have pictures that match the
curves at both ends.
reards,
Ken Ward

Here's another photo to better illustrate what I mean by the "sharp crease" at the front inside crown.

(the shadow does make fender #1 at the left look sorta square at the front. That's an illusion!)

It's the smooth curve I'm trying to match. Thanks for everyone's help!

Down here in Australia, I have found similar differences in 28 panels. Our cars were sent ckd, completely knocked down, ie they were US or Canada sourced. The main difference I have found is in the doors, up to 1/4" diffrence in lenght, and this is fun when you buy a real good door to replace your bad one, only to find it won't fit the hole.

These panels were not much better than hand made and my guess is this is where the differences lay. Also it is possible that the panels differed between plants, hence the different shape on the corners

In Australia we refer to the many times rebuilt 200 year old axe as "Grandfather's axe"