Another keep the fenders, 32 grill, hood sides and fill the gap between cab and bed. Will be a fun build and ride no matter what you decide to do.
Late 30s look? Just curious...I remember sharing a Angle chopped possibly A Pickup.... This sounds like leaning Frank Kurtis or So Cal Plating...in direction...I'll seeing what a I can dream up... The Visor is worthy of some rework...
My vote is for fenders. I’ve noticed that at many of the local shows I see more of your era hotrods run without fenders. I’m sure there are a few thoughts on why that is, but my point is that 20’s and 30’s hotrods with fenders seam to be less common these days.
Congrats @BigO on the new acquisition. I saw that truck in the classifieds and thought it had a LOT of potential (with the fenders). It looks like a fun driver/project.
This is a reply without reading anything others have posted. I think that is a Tudor body that has been shortened, not a pickup cab, if that matters at all. I'd keep the fenders, go for a full hood, I like the grille, I'd fuss with the fitment of things. If it is a driver as is, keep it together while you update things to your liking. Bob
Body work is what I like about building a car. To me those miss alignment and dents are simple things. Back home my car guy friends all had different talents and that helped us all to reduce cost.
I noted said void and that explains other features...turtle deck styling for a possible body to box mod...Hotrod or Custom?
One more for fenders, the way it looks without them looks too "Busy" for some reason a lot of disjointed stuff going on that get covered by the fenders.
Easiest question ever, because you can't go wrong. Either way looks cool. I'm in the "they came with it, use um" camp.
Big O, here's my take; I like fenders but I have two cars without fenders too. I find it so easy to clean, polish and work on the engine without fenders. Even though the tires splash dirt and stones up on the body and firewall, the dirt is easy to clean off and touch up the chips in the paint. Just think how much work I save by not having to clean the tops and bottoms of fenders. I must admit that I just love the fender less cars, feels so much like hot rod over stock with fenders. Either way, you will enjoy going down the road with or without fenders, that I know. Have fun
.Thanks o seem to do what the car says what will look best, never was a trend follower. I already have quit a few parts for that era so nows the time to use them.
...What 'd I do here lets see...Trimmed the Visor, Ditched the Side views in lieu of more period style mirrors, heavily Bobbed the Front fenders, repaired grille, added louvers and Hood sides, cut down/bobbed splash apron and running boards, nerf style bumpers aka @Marty Strode style...front and rear, vertical section to grill and move back, reorient Headlights and added bias plys, caps and filled in box gaps to cab and fender...other options to consider...Belly burner exhaust, stacks or fenderwell headers with square or round collectors aka early 60s... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-nerf-bar.630469/page-4#post-7919959 I think it retains the mixed bag of Ole Jalopy and looks pretty cool doing it... Credit to All That Inspired This
I like them both ways, but from the pictures you posted I vote for fenders. Then you can paint them black and the body a different colour. The fenders are there and paid for. You should be money ahead when you swap out the grill. Then headlights and wheels and tires. New project, exciting times, good luck.
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