The Ford Barn

braol · 07-18-2018, 02:13 PM

Hello!
I am considering the purchase of a '30 Tudor (Standard). Car looks good. Some time ago a prior owner replaced the two rear fenders with fiberglass items. You can't even tell by looking at it...color matched really well, etc... Should I be worried? I have not looked at the car in person yet but will be there this weekend to see.
Car runs and drives. Only thing that appears to be missing are all 4 shocks (I know...$240/shock)...car seems to be a good deal regardless...otherwise the car is complete.

c. sefton · 07-18-2018, 02:22 PM

Go for it. Glass or Metal fenders not many people are gonna know or care. Just drive it and enjoy the fun and smiles.

Charlie Stephens · 07-18-2018, 02:52 PM

Good negotiating point. No problem if you just want to drive it but you will hear about it if you put it in a show. Take and post a a lot of pictures for comments.

Charlie Stephens

Mike V. Florida · 07-18-2018, 03:00 PM

No worries, go for it.

ronn · 07-18-2018, 03:19 PM

I wouldnt care. Can always be swapped out later if you wish.

wouldnt worry about the shocks either.

john in illinois · 07-18-2018, 03:23 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have fiberglass rear fenders on my Tudor. I was lways going to change them.I even found a nice steel pair. I never did and they look fine.

John

txkhog · 07-18-2018, 03:39 PM

My 30 coupe has fiberglass fenders and running boards. they are smooth with no cracking like my 28 tudor. my coupe is for go and not show so I am happy

DHZIEMAN · 07-18-2018, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braol

Hello!
I am considering the purchase of a '30 Tudor (Standard). Car looks good. Some time ago a prior owner replaced the two rear fenders with fiberglass items. You can't even tell by looking at it...color matched really well, etc... Should I be worried? I have not looked at the car in person yet but will be there this weekend to see.
Car runs and drives. Only thing that appears to be missing are all 4 shocks (I know...$240/shock)...car seems to be a good deal regardless...otherwise the car is complete.

Went an looked at a model A to purchase, and I really had to look hard, it had fiberglass fenders, and real solid!

I would suggest, if the rest of the car seems ok and is mechanically ok, have at it. Good luck! And the shock thing, a lot of these cars for sale have no shocks, not unusual. There are a lot of posts on shocks and work arounds using MGA or MGB shocks! Do some searching on the forum. Have fun!

1931 flamingo · 07-18-2018, 07:34 PM

Mine have been on since the late 80's, LF has 1 stress crack. Many people have come up at shows and cruises, tapped the fenders and said "they don't make them like this anymore". And they're straight ! ! ! FWIW
Paul in CT

monto · 07-18-2018, 07:41 PM

Go for it !
I suggest that as you get involved in the car, you won't give the fenders a distant thought.
Best of luck.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-18-2018, 11:48 PM

MANY "modern" cars have PLASTICKY parts that never RUST!
Bill Nottoworry

Marshall V. Daut · 07-19-2018, 09:01 AM

Keep in mind that should you decide to add a second taillight for safety's sake, you'll need to run a ground wire from the taillight stand to the frame or bumper brackets. Anything metal nearby that will provide a good ground. Fiberglass will not provide the ground you need. 'Had to do this last year to a '30 Coupe with 30 year-old fiberglass fenders.
Marshall

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-19-2018, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

Keep in mind that should you decide to add a second taillight for safety's sake, you'll need to run a ground wire from the taillight stand to the frame or bumper brackets. Anything metal nearby that will provide a good ground. Fiberglass will not provide the ground you need. 'Had to do this last year to a '30 Coupe with 30 year-old fiberglass fenders.
Marshall

Much like wiring a FIBERGLASS BOAT, EVERYHING has to have its' OWN Ground wire!
Bill W.

braol · 07-19-2018, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

...you'll need to run a ground wire from the taillight stand to the frame or bumper brackets.

Car already has 2nd taillight installed.

I don't mind non-original parts as long as it doesn't change the character of the car. Heck, I plan to install a (hidden) USB plug and a suction cup mount for my GPS. If I ever rebuild I'll go with the counterbalanced crank and insert type bearings too...but I don't want A/C, 12volts, hydraulic brakes, etc...

nhusa · 07-19-2018, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braol

Car already has 2nd taillight installed.

I don't mind non-original parts as long as it doesn't change the character of the car. Heck, I plan to install a (hidden) USB plug and a suction cup mount for my GPS. If I ever rebuild I'll go with the counterbalanced crank and insert type bearings too...but I don't want A/C, 12volts, hydraulic brakes, etc...

What??
No backup camera!

slammin · 07-19-2018, 05:21 PM

70% of the As I looked at didn't have shocks. In fact the one I bought was shockless. If you are buying a driver, there are several cheaper solutions than Stipes shocks.

braol · 07-20-2018, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammin

"...there are several cheaper solutions than Stipes shocks."

As a shade-tree (my brother says red-neck) machinist I'm open to rebuilding a set of original shocks. So I will keep my nose to the ground at all the various swap meets. I find the whole argument for/against modern versions of the original Houidalle shocks to be very interesting. Part of me says "only original parts" the budget minded part of me says "don't worry about the judges and go for quality...if not original...parts." Usually original parts are better made than new stuff, so often quality=OEM. At least the math is easy.

07-18-2018, 02:13 PM	#1
braol Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Endeavor, WI Posts: 119	Poss New Purchase...Fender Question Hello! I am considering the purchase of a '30 Tudor (Standard). Car looks good. Some time ago a prior owner replaced the two rear fenders with fiberglass items. You can't even tell by looking at it...color matched really well, etc... Should I be worried? I have not looked at the car in person yet but will be there this weekend to see. Car runs and drives. Only thing that appears to be missing are all 4 shocks (I know...$240/shock)...car seems to be a good deal regardless...otherwise the car is complete.

07-18-2018, 02:22 PM	#2
c. sefton Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N.W. Hoosierland Posts: 45	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question Go for it. Glass or Metal fenders not many people are gonna know or care. Just drive it and enjoy the fun and smiles. __________________ C1-C2

07-18-2018, 02:52 PM	#3
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question Good negotiating point. No problem if you just want to drive it but you will hear about it if you put it in a show. Take and post a a lot of pictures for comments. Charlie Stephens Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 07-18-2018 at 03:21 PM.

07-18-2018, 03:00 PM	#4
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question No worries, go for it. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-18-2018, 03:19 PM	#5
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question I wouldnt care. Can always be swapped out later if you wish. wouldnt worry about the shocks either.

07-18-2018, 03:23 PM	#6
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have fiberglass rear fenders on my Tudor. I was lways going to change them.I even found a nice steel pair. I never did and they look fine. John

07-18-2018, 03:39 PM	#7
txkhog Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Texarkana, TX Posts: 61	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question My 30 coupe has fiberglass fenders and running boards. they are smooth with no cracking like my 28 tudor. my coupe is for go and not show so I am happy

07-18-2018, 07:34 PM	#9
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question Mine have been on since the late 80's, LF has 1 stress crack. Many people have come up at shows and cruises, tapped the fenders and said "they don't make them like this anymore". And they're straight ! ! ! FWIW Paul in CT

07-18-2018, 07:41 PM	#10
monto Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NH Posts: 182	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question Go for it ! I suggest that as you get involved in the car, you won't give the fenders a distant thought. Best of luck. __________________ '30 Coupe

07-18-2018, 11:48 PM	#11
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question MANY "modern" cars have PLASTICKY parts that never RUST! Bill Nottoworry __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-19-2018, 09:01 AM	#12
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,111	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question Keep in mind that should you decide to add a second taillight for safety's sake, you'll need to run a ground wire from the taillight stand to the frame or bumper brackets. Anything metal nearby that will provide a good ground. Fiberglass will not provide the ground you need. 'Had to do this last year to a '30 Coupe with 30 year-old fiberglass fenders. Marshall

07-19-2018, 05:21 PM	#16
slammin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Fruita, CO Posts: 281	Re: Poss New Purchase...Fender Question 70% of the As I looked at didn't have shocks. In fact the one I bought was shockless. If you are buying a driver, there are several cheaper solutions than Stipes shocks.