Looking for feedback from those that have bought 30-31 Roadster wheel well panels. I want to save as much of the original tin, DO NOT WANT to replace the whole panel. Who makes panels with the three rolled beads that are the same width and fit the originals? I think Brookville does, but who has installed a pair? Does someone have the factory matching dies to roll out pieces? Thanks! Bob
Hey 37, This is in no way a criticism of your plan, but why don't you want to replace the whole panel? I'm definitely no metal man, but it seems to me that keeping most/all of what you have will require more work than replacing the whole panel without being any better. What am I missing? I'm here to learn; not to critique others' work or ideas.
I just got through repairing the wheel well panels on a '31 roadster using Brookville Roadster panels. As in the photo I only replaced the bottom 4" and solid butt welded them to the originals (the first picture was taken when the welding was still in progress). Yours are pretty badly butchered so I would use the BR panels after cutting away all but about 2" of the original wheel wells on yours. If you are not into butt welding you can lap weld them together which is much faster and easier. And that area isn't noticeable when the car is finished so a little filler will go a long way towards making it look right.
On my coupe I wanted to do the same, just replace the very bottom. Bought a pair of panels thru Snyder’s, the beads weren’t as deep as the originals. A made up a die (photos in my coupe build thread), and pressed the bead deeper in my press, then they lined up.
In my previous post the images depict front fender skirts on my '48 Indian Chief. The first image was a practice piece, the second image is the final product temporarily installed on the fender
This is something you can do yourself if your prepared to put the time in. The tool needed is a bead roller.
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