I have a 1972 Cutlass "442", not really sure about the 442 part.
Well I've been told the front fenders on a 72 should have ridges down the lip where the hood sits. Mine is flat, and that should be from a 1970. So now I'm wondering if it was changed do to an accident. Or is it possible they put flat ridge fenders on a 72. Just wondering if anyone else has seen flat on a 72.
Thanks Barb.

 

After 1970 car manufacturers went to the "crumple zone" design fenders. The fenders you have are off of a '70 year model car. For 1972 the inner fender should have crumple zones.

 

Barb,
There are folks who would prolly love to get that fender off you. For 72, you're right it wouldn't have been produced with that fender and your logic is good about how it may have got on the car.

Are you planning to change it out and sell the 70 fender or something?

 

ECHO Echo echo! lol!

 

The previous owner told me he pulled the front clip off to to clean up and restore all the suspension. Maybe they had some rust and he replaced them with 70 fenders. I wish I could find all the previous owners to find out more about the history of the car, Is that possible. So many things were done to this car it would be nice to know who did what and when. Thanks Barb.

 

Depending on how many owners, tht could be a real challenge!! But I wish you the best in that. It is always neat finding out all about the things that happened to a car along its life! Like they say, the journey is half the fun!!

And as Allan said, you could probably sell your flat 70 fender for enough to buy two good 71-72 fenders!

 

That's one of the problems with being the 2nd owner of both of my cars...there was no long interesting story to them. Just two little old ladies that lived blocks away from each other in Austin Tx. that bought the cars from the same dealership withing the same 2 month period. Both of which kept them in their one car garage and drove them to get groceries once in a while. And both of which had to sell them when their kids felt they were too old to drive any longer. See? Not interesting at all lol!

 

Aw heck Steve. Those lil old ladies prolly bought those cars just to lure you... On the + side of the coin - you at least know the history of your 2 cars, even if you consider it boring.

 

Plenty of '71 cars used the flat ridge fenders as well....sometimes one of each. Factpry had to use the leftover stuff somewhere.

I wouldn't let those things out of your site until you FIRST HAD a really nice pair of the "bumped" fenders in your hands. I'm assuming they're in nice shape in the typical rusted out areas....have you looked them over VERY CLOSELY to see if they are in real nice shape? (you usually need to have them removed from the car to tell their true condition).

 

Can somebody post pictures of the two types of fenders? This is something I hadn't realized before. Always new things to learn... Thanks!

 

The fender design actually is identical. It's the ridge liner that was modified in 71 for crumple.

Here's a good shot of the fender (71/72) showing the crumple ridges (just below the vertical where the hood bumpers install) BTW this was on Barrett Jackson and was featured as a 1970 Cutlass that was 'converted to a 442, but not using all 70 parts.



This is the difference. This 1970 442 - same angle, shows that ridge completely flat:

 

Ah, yes! I see it. I feel much smarter now.

Thanks!

 

OK-here's my 2 bits worth. I went throught the same thing. Mentioned it to Patton and as he said-at the tinme of the change over GM was into a major strike. Shortage of the correct fenders and such. GM said the hell with it and use what we have in stock. He has the entire run down on this story.
The opinions exspressed here...............

 

sweet that is a nice thing to know, I just picked up a pair of flat type fenders from a guy. in pretty good condition just need lower patch panels (Witch i have)

He said they came off a 71 cutlass convertible. so maybe they were just using up there supply they had from 1970 a put them on the 71...but a very interesting detail i knew nothing about. As Rocket331 Said I feel much smarter now!!

 

That strike started in the middle of Sept 1970 and lasted 67 days. Delayed a lot of production and delivery target dates, including the introduction of the Colonade Cutlass line up for 72. So, I'm not surprised at all that some 71 Cutlass models have 70 fenders in them. But for a 72 to have them means something happened that required replacements. Most common thing I can think of would be a front crash.

 

X2, let's keep in mind the OP has a '72

 

Yeah!! - that's the story. Besides, I was there working as a strikebreaker and whatever that other term they call people who crossed the picket line (or subbed for striking workers) "red dogs" or something like that??. Of course, I was only 10 years old at the time but they really needed the help and being small I was able to sneak into the plant each day without any hassle from the picket line people.

That's also how I was able to find out about the broken mold or stolen part of the mold for the '70 aluminum intake (where they shortened the lettering from "Oldsmobile" to "Olds"). I saw the guy stuff the part of the mold lettering in his pocket (the substitute worker from Mobile, Alabama).

Those were fun times for sure.

Was aware the OP has a '72.

 

Patton - ya scallywag! You crossed picket lines? Wait till my union hears this..... 10 years old. Hmmm I feel a bit of leg stretching going on there?

 

Patton, if you're still on do you know a good place to have a bumper rechromed in Austin? I am getting one from an Austin Olds club member, through Danny Sarvis. It is straight, just needs some new plating.

 

I wouldn't recommend the local place for bumpers. Don't even know if they actually do the bumpers here in Austin or not...they may ship them off to S.A. (not sure what size tanks they have here). Regardless, what I've seen come out of there, bumper-wise, isn't too impressive. Wavy, grind marks, etc....typical bumper rechrome place that is more oriented towards quicker, collision type jobs.

If I was looking to have a fairly nice job done (not at the high end) I'd send it to Tri-Cities Plating (in Kentucky or Tennessee). Have heard of people using Keystone as well but don't know much about them. Front bumpers, for a 68-72 Cutlass would really have to be packaged properly....they form a sort of large "V" as their overall shape and are somewhat flimsy...so they flex when dropped or stood on, etc (the things UPS seems to be good at!). Some sort of metal brace bolted down across the front parking lamp mounting holes would be in order to prevent flex. Rears are straight and don't present the same potential-shipping-damage problems.

You've got Speed and Sport in Houston at higher prices than the places I mention....not worth the price difference from recent work I've seen from them. Had a guy locally send one there and they hit him with a surprise "upcharge" (40% upcharge)...sounded more like a "we got this guy now let's hammer him" deal to me as they didn't give him a very direct reason for the upcharge. It wasn't a bad bumper to start with (which might explain the need for extra work)..not dented up, no rust on the front or backside, etc. Was the chrome itself nice? Yes...but still not impressed with the underlying work at the price point he paid.

Don't know anything about the work quality coming out of any places in San Antonio either.

I believe Tri-Cities' typical price point is the $400-500 range but haven't heard lately. May be a bit higher now, don't know. Triple plate with a lifetime warranty (I believe that's correct on the warranty).

 

Zee truth comes out Mr. Bond

 

Economy Plating in Dallas does nice work, I think around 350 for front or back..