I know the 1970 fender has the flat edge under the hood, where the '71-'72 fender has the bumps for crash crumple reasons. I have a '71 replacement fender on my '70 442. Are the '70 and '71-up fenders worth the same, or is one worth more? Has anyone successfully flattened the bumps to make a '71-up into a '70 fender? My '71 fender appears to have never had holes. Was it possibly an NOS fender when it was put on the car? Wouldn't used 442 and Cutlass fenders both have holes for the emblem pins?

 

I think that the dollar value is likely determined on the desire for absolute originality. If you are not building a concourse car, then the flat ridged fenders are less likely to deduct points for judging. The crumple zone fenders are in fact correct replacement fenders for the car though. If your '70 cutlass had gotten a fender damaged beyond repair in 1972 and you ordered a new fender from your local dealer then you would likely receive a fender with dimples. (Assuming that the dealer did not have a previously issued fender in stock). Regarding your question of reforming fender edges, yes it is possible. The well known C/O member and meticulous restorer (Costpenn), created a flat edged fender for his correct documented numbers matching '70 W30 from a fender that was issued on purchase of the vehicle. Ironically, in a subsequent restoration of his '71 Cutlass Supreme hardtop four speed, he had a flat edged fender (issued with the car), dimpled to accordingly match the opposite side. I don't think that there is a general concensous of bad restoration etiquette in mismatched fenders, it just looks a little off for white glove folks. Enjoy your car!

 

I can't imagine the trouble to break down all those bumps. Cheap labor perhaps?

It all comes down to rust, the fender that needs the least amount of work will be the cheapest to use when rebuilding regardless of what model it will be installed on.

Those Hurst cars, thats a different world. If Hurst had to drill a hole, I'm sure they did so.

Replacement fenders can't be made for every model.

 

My buddy Brian had his '70 W30 post coupe done at Thorntons 3 yrs ago. I got him a pair of new GM fenders back in '80 when he was getting ready to have it painted,(his younger brother took the keys one night & snuck it out for a joy ride,he creased the rt fender putting it back in the garage!)They had the crash dimples. The guys at Thorntons reworked the fenders flattening out all the dimples,they did an awesome job on them. I didn't see the receipt for the break-down of the labor cost on doing this but it obviously took some time. He spent over $50k on the frame off. He's owned the car since '77, buying it off the original owner

 

Yeah, but still not original. By the same logic, by 1973, K heads were listed as replacements for F heads on a 1970 W-30 and J heads were listed as replacements on a lesser 442s per parts book substitution lists. That doesn't make them correct or worth near as much.

 

The 1971 fender's condition is perfect...except for being a 1971 fender.

 

I bought a 1970 four door just for the fenders. 1970 specific fenders are hard to come by.