I am just about done with a passenger car fender panel repair (lower end toward the rocker panel and door, where most of these rust out). The panel I bought was from Mac's. It was decent, of a good gauge, and all, but I did not like the formed, raised lip (the edge towards the tire that is about 1 - 2" wide). This is the part of the fender that has a definitive crease in it. The crease from Mac's panel, not so defnitive. I have worked it out ok,,,but is there another company (I know Mac's get these from somewhere) that has a better panel, short of me buying an NOs panel?

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I have been fooling with these patch panels for almost 40 years and I have never seen one that had the sharp brake at the door like the original fenders. Same goes for the wheel well opening. Back in the 70's and 80's they were still made here. Now all the new ones are imports. The last one I did I left the brake at the door, cut a rectangular piece out of the fender to get rid of the rotted section and then cut a piece out of an old hood to match the hole and then butt welded it in. I repaired the stiffener while I had the hole. I have always been disappointed with the patch panels, especially after all the work it takes to install them. By the way, 55 and 56 fenders can be interchanged. The 56 has a bracket for the grill which is spot welded on. By adding or deleting this bracket 55 and 56 can be interchanged.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas