1935 front fender differences early - late
 

Is anyone familiar with '35 passenger front fenders having a slightly different profile in the peak?
I have a '35 fordor I'm working on and it has two different style fenders. The right fender has a doubler in the front wheel opening lip where a longer fender brace would attach, and it also has a slightly more pronounced peak in the fender cross-section.
The left fender does not have the additional fender reinforcement in the front lip, and it has the slightly more rounded cross-section peak.
I've not came across this before, has anyone else?
Thank you in advance,
carnut Ken

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

from what i here.....one would be a 36 and one a 35. which is which?, that i don't know for sure. CP

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

I agree with CP, Sounds like a 36 in the mix. Maybe someone changed a wrecked fender years ago.

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

Ken, 35 Front fenders had a tab along the outer lip to accommodate a long front fender brace until about Feb/March of 1935. After that a shorter brace was used and the tabe removed from the fender. Both styles of 35 front fenders should have the same peak.

Don

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

Quote from the EFV8C/A 1935-36 Ford Book.... "Early '35 front fenders were supported from underneath with a brace that extended from the frame to the outer edge of the fender. The fender was attached to the brace at the headlight mounting and to a flange on the inside edge of the fender. Later in the year these braces were shortened and terminated under the headlights"
I was not aware of these two different fenders having any slightly different profile in the peak. I have both type fenders and will take a look to see if I can see any difference in profile on mine. J.M.

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

JM,
Thank you for your help. You seem to be the only one out there who doesn't think I can't tell a '35 fender from a '36.
I used a profile gauge to compare the cross-section at several places along the fender. The front part of the fender appears to be identical, but as you go rearward the fender shape starts to differ.
Thanks again,
carnut Ken

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

any pics??....would be interesting to see....thanks...Mike

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

sorry carnut, was thinking rear fender, not front. cp

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

I'll try to get some pics this afternoon.
Thanks again,
carnut Ken

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

First as mentioned above the early/late differences with the fender brace mount.

Second, do not assume (avoid assume, always, and never with Fords) that original Fords were exactly mirror images between right and left. To try to figure this one out you would need to compare multiple right sides to right sides, left sides to left sides. My best guess though is barring some poorly done collision repair is that there was some progressive die wear resulting in a softer ridge line in the later fender.

For those out there who want some giggle time, compare the front to back location of the tire opening on 1938-40 rear fenders right side to left side. Also on 1938-41 pickup rear fenders compare the radius of the transition from the front to the side of the fender about 2 inches above the running boards.

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

carnut43105 & Mike in AZ ....................
I was able to get a picture of the EARLY 1935 fender, showing the full fender brace and the hidden carriage bolt. I do not have a later fender. This is of the R/F fender, with the photo taken from the outside, below.
CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE.
MIKE :)

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

Here are a couple of pictures showing the different peak cross-sections between the two '35 front fenders. The left side (driver's side) is the later style, the right side (pass. side) is the earlier version with the additional mounting in the outer fender opening lip.
carnut Ken

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

carnut43105 .......................
My early 1935 front fender is just like your early 1935 front fender. The crown does not smooth out, until it gets to, about the front of the headlight. I see that your late fender is smooth on top.
MIKE :)

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

Mike,
Thank you for comparing your fenders with the pictures. At least I feel a little better knowing someone else sees a difference.
I've definitely learned something new today.
Thanks again,
carnut Ken

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

Could this be different vendors?

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

I don't know but the basic construction of the fenders looks identical, so I would guess not.
Thanks,
carnut Ken

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

When I first heard of this observation of '35 front fenders I thought it was the result of some mis-guided bodywork. But over the years I have heard the same story several times. So many times that I now think that there might be something to it. As for my '35 it has the full brace on both fenders and the car was produced in June of '35. Note- this is an original car which I purchased from the original owner in 1958.

Tom

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

I looked at my '35 front fender collection yesterday and I have a mix of early and late fenders, with and w/o the hole for the long brackets. All of these fenders have the same basic pronounced peak the same as your one fender pictured on the right in your picture post. I'm attaching a few pictures, although it may be difficult to see the peak on some of these fenders due to paint color, reflections, or poor quality of photos. You may have to find another fender to get a matched set for your project. J.M.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...-06_150631.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...-06_150703.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...-06_151206.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...-06_151246.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...-06_151408.jpg

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

I have some '35 fronts. I'll have to dig them out and see if they are early or late. I had no idea there was a difference.

Re: 1935 front fender differences early - late
 

I am very pleased and impressed with the number of responses I have received from my fender question. I've heard a lot of great things about Fordbarn.com over the years, but this was my first posting.
A big thank you too all,
carnut Ken