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Anyone happen to have an early production 63 with original front fiberglass? Need a pic or a side to side dimension of the missing vertical flange on the rear edge of the front upper panel on cars up to about ser# 5400. This would be the 1/4" tall flange that is visible with the hood open. I can try to post a pic if this is confusing. Helping a friend duplicate this on a 63 with new front glass. Thanks.
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Pic Of Area To Be Removed
The area partially outlined in black is the flange that would not be present in an early 63. Need dim from side to side. Thanks.
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Re: Early 63 Info Needed
Michael, one of my test cars is '63 #7348 (I think), and it has its factory nose with original paint. The "early" missing flange section you're asking about is also missing on this car. Would you like me to measure it, or is the serial number too high to have what you want?
JerryComment
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Re: Early 63 Info Needed
Thanks Jerry. I just received several excellent pictures of the area from Tom Parkinson. Clearly shows the exact point where the flange is removed across the front and all the way out to the corner of the hood opening. His car is #39xx.
I originally thought that this flange was absent on cars built at least through the 5000 range but if your #7348 doesn't have it, that would be the latest build that I know of. I have to assume this would probably be getting close to the change point. I know that 82xx has the flange and also 84xx, both unrestored original paint cars.
I can post Tom's pic if anyone is interested. (if Tom doesn't mind)Comment
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Re: Early 63 Info Needed
Mike:
I'm pretty sure that lip is gone on the nose of my '63 just like your sketch. I'll see the car in a couple days and let you know if it is. #14,000 something. Original paint.Comment
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Pic Of Panel Without Flange
This is what the panel looks like on an early build 63 car. (Thanks for the pic Tom) The flange is missing from the LF to RF corners of the hood opening. This began at the start of 63 production and continued at least through the low 7000 ser # range.
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Re: Pic Of Panel Without Flange
What was the purpose?Comment
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Re: Pic Of Panel Without Flange
I'm not sure Michael. I've never seen any paperwork on it and never even heard any good stories about it. Possible the lip was added for strength to eliminate cracking at the corners?Comment
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Re: Pic Of Panel Without Flange
My guess is hood clearance at the front.Comment
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Re: Pic Of Panel Without Flange
Thanks, Michael
If I "read" the picture correctly, it appears thet the lip was there originally and ground off. Had to have been present in the mold.
I guess Wayne makes sense: Rolling R & D, Fit and Finish.
I've seen worse performed by the dealers.
H. a. N. D.Comment
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Re: Pic Of Panel Without Flange
Michael,
I agree, the lip appears to have been removed by some grinding process. Of all of the reasons I've heard for this mod, the one that sounds the most logical to me is the fact that there was a clearance problem between the lip and the bonding strip that's attached to the front upper steel support, just forward of the lip. If there was a clearance problem in this area, removing the lip would have been a simple temporary fix. The pic's of this area seem to back this up as the bonding strip appears to be positioned too far rearward to have allowed the upper panel to be installed with the lip in place. I suppose something changed to correct this problem but I don't know what it was. The only part that changed number at that time was the bonding strip so it's possible that it was modified to eliminate the problem. Also possible that the fixture that was used to assemble the support to the upper panel was adjusted slightly to position the support/bonding strip slightly further forward.
On later build 63's and 64-67, there's usually a gap between the lip and the fiberglass bonding strip which would indicate that indeed the beam/bonding strip was repositioned slightly forward of the early position. Sound possible?Comment
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Re: Pic Of Panel Without Flange
Yep!
Makes sense to me.
Thanks, Michael
H. a. N. D.Comment
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