35 coupe rear fender question

[RalphM]

I started stripping the paint off my 35, and I found some bubbling in the rear fenders. I looked underneath and there’s an extra metal strip welded to the fender inside. This is supposed to be here? If so looks like I have some rust issues between the two metal panels.
The Metal strip is not the one reinforcing where the bolts hold the fender to the main body. It doesn’t appear to be attached to anything, it just runs parallel to where the fender bolts to the body.

[DavidG]

Looks like a post-production addition.

[supereal]

Probably a body shop repair at some time. You can confirm this by looking for some Bondo under the paint. If you don't want to disturb the paint, run a magnet over the area to determine where and how much filler covers the area. Fortunately, the thickness of the metal many years ago allowed weld repairs.

[RalphM]

There isn’t an ounce of bondo in this car, all body work was done back in the 50’s, my guess, judging by the title, and the lead work that I have found while stripping the paint.
It has had one repaint over the original Washington blue. It was painted a two tone baby blue/white(kinda awful) back then. It comes off really easy, but the primer does not.

[Tinker]

I few late 30s rear fenders and front fenders have been reinforced with some 1/2" round bar along the lip of the fenders (pretty common).


Then Lot's of straps bolted to the outside of 38-41 pickup rear fender to the bed also. The seemed to crack under real world pressure. But if your driving around the streets, not really an issue.


Maybe a rear light addition at one point.

[oldbugger]

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my 35 rear fenders had that same strip you are talking about, looked stock. Paul

[blucar]

I would doubt very much that the strip of metal on the back side of the fender is original. Considering the age of the car I would say that the fender had a problem, rust out and/or damage that the metal man could not fix so he welded backup metal to the fender, then leaded over it...
Any time two layers of metal are used, over time moisture builds up between the two pieces and rust forms between the two layers of metal.

[Randy in ca]

I can't make out much detail in your picture (too small). Here's a picture of what any '35 rear inner I've seen looked like. 1936 is similar but the bracing is a little different.


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[RalphM]

Bluecar,
You’re probably right, this being a Fairbanks car it probably ran tire chains at one time, and these could’ve gotten loose and damaged the inside of the fender.

Randy,
My fender has the same strip as what you’re showing there and looks like the extra strip on mine is put on just outside/ parallel to that one.

[Alan O'Connell]

The rear fenders on my 35 cabriolet had the same reinforcing strips where the fender bolts to the body.

[KiWinUS]

My 1 previous owner original paint when I purchased KiWi 36 also had these strips on rear fenders. My car had never had an bodywork to rear fenders. I have several other 36 rear fenders both coupe & sedan I will look & see if any of these have this strip. Thes fenders are all US fenders not from New Zealand.
When we took the rear fenders off my car way back when these strips had held in dirt & moisture creating rust areas.
Cheers
Tony

[RalphM]

So I finally got around to pulling that fender off, and when I did the answer was obvious. Looks like someone took a sedan fender and grafted it onto a portion of the existing Coupe fender. After stripping all the paint you could see where the two panels were welded and leaded together from the running board to the rear part of fender.

[Tinker]

Looks like they did a decent job putting it together, granted the circumstances.


What you thinking about doing?




.

[RalphM]

For now just clean it up and run it. And if I ever come across a decent pair of coupe fenders, trade it out.

[Tinker]

If it's not broke, don't fix. Looks like you got it striped down and no bondo. Looks okay to me till you can find a replacement. But if not, it's stills ford steel.


Thanks for following up.

[RalphM]

Ford steel and a few ounces of lead!
I’m amazed at the quality and craftsmanship of the leaded repairs to this car. Beats the hell out of Bondo.

[19Fordy]

Many folks say today's BONDO is better.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...s-bondo.46688/

[TJ]

Lead if not properly cleaned before painting can cause many paint problems down the road. Bondo causes less problems, but still needs to be mixed and applied properly.

[rotorwrench]

Polyester filler is easier to use by far and away than lead so I can see how most folks might say it's better. Most folks like me have been around long enough to know how well the plastic filler lasts. It will last a relatively long time if the car is kept out of the sun and weather but it will still shrink a bit over a long period of time. If it is not well cared for then 10-years is a good figure for longevity. It also can't take vibration and flex as well as lead. Those areas will do a lot better with lead.


Both still have there place in body work.