I've been flirting with the idea of a 48-52 f1(prefer 51-52) and learned that f1 is its own truck unlike gm 3100&3600. I've come across a few missing front clips and nice f2/3's. It seems f1 fenders are hard to come up with front or back. Fiberglass fenders are not acceptable either. Are they easily found at swap meets? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
from my experience good ones are hard to come by. most are rusted at the front seam. however there are plenty of people who can fabricate patch panels for a price
Steel rear fenders for the 51/52 are available from Carpenter (according to the website) but pricey. 48/50 are out of stock (they are notched for the 48-early 50 bedside reveal). Lower front valence and 48-50 lower fenders are also out there new in steel as well as running boards. Seems like all of them rust at the reinforcements in the fenders and running boards.
I`ve done a couple of F-1 trucks in the past and fenders are scarce. I`ve also seen F-2 fenders cut and added to to make F-1 fenders but it takes a lot of work to make the radius look correct. I heard a rumor that Carpenter will be reproducing fronts very soon but the cost is expected to be up there. Still better than trying to find fenders for a `35-37 Ford truck...
Maybe a regional thing. I find 51-52 fenders here. Would be a bitch to ship one though, big and clumsy to handle. I'm in a rural area where lots of F1's were sold. I picked up a nice set of rears for cheap at a local swap last year from a Chevy guy who was happy to get rid of them. I also see complete 51-52 F1's and lots of parts at the Turlock swap every January.
I bought my '48 F1 in 1978, I still have it. I have seen exactly one set of NOS front uppers, that I bought & installed. Went to Bonneville and now they are rusty like all the rest.