63-64 Judging Guide Question; fender skirt

[Michael H.]

On page 131, section 21, engine compartment, of the 63-64 Judging Guide, it states that;

"ALTHOUGH THE JOINT BETWEEN THE INNER FENDER AND UPPER SURROUND MAY BE A POOR FIT, IT HAS A FINISHED LOOK".

This is describing the bond between the fender skirt and upper fender as seen with the hood open. When these two panels are bonded together, some of the bond material is forced out of the junction and this excess bond is then ground off with a very course round rotating disk grinder. The text above suggests that this surface was then smoothed, or sanded, to create the finished look described. Would this be typical of a 63-67 car?

[Mike M.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question; fender skirt

grinder scars. not fine sanded and primed and wet sanded prior to paint. originals look rough. have also seen and own a 63 where the grinding disc got down on the inner skirt and no attempt was made min st louis to hide the scar, just blacked out over the scars. mike

[Mike McKown]

My '63 is not a poor fit,

and the only thing finished looking about the bonding joint is it was ground in a really straight line, front to rear. Straight enough that I doubt it was done with a wheel or disc. More like a coarse belt sander. The upstanding flange on the surround panel is a constant width, front/rear. I didn't notice if the inner fenders had been hacked up by the grinding.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question; fender skirt

Thanks Mike. In your opinion, should it look something like this? This is my 66. Looks very unfinished to me.

I have the same grinder scars at the bond between the upper panel and the firewall.

[Michael H.]

Re: My '63 is not a poor fit,

Thanks Mike. Sounds like yours is unfinished also.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question; fender skirt

--------Mike and Mike,,, I have seen way too many grinder scars on the inner skirts of original, nose untouched mid-years to count. It didnt happen to every car but it certainly happened to a bunch of them. Yes, they are on Jans 66! As well, I start looking for other problems with any mid-year when ever I see those seams with anything other than the original looking grider scars (fine sanded, etc.).........Bill S

[Mike McKown]

Upon closer inspection and better light

Both seams have been ground with a wheel. The left side must have used much finer grit abrasive than the right side. There are more obvious wheel marks on my right side per your picture, but it looks like your seam was finished with a chain saw relative to mine. Mine is original glass/paint.

You could call my car semi-finished compared to yours.

[Bill H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question; fender skirt

On my early 63 coupe, the right side is finished nice but you can see marks from a grinding wheel. The left side is finished poorly will uneven surface and varying thickness in the seam, with very little grinding indicated. Bill

[Wayne W.]

Re: Upon closer inspection and better light

I see two finishes in this area. One is a skimmed or screeded finish. It looks like the bond was setting and it was then screeded before it totally hardened. The other is ground as noted above, but they definitely used a grinding wheel, because there are often gouges on the innerfender itself. Both methods are common on a single front end. Neither would I called well finished.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Upon closer inspection and better light

Example of skimmed method.

[Mike M.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question; fender skirt

the wifes late 63 roadster with virgin front clip(i took it to bare glass 20 years ago) looks just like yer 66. the scar in the inner skirt is about 1/16 to 1/8th inch deep and traverses the inner skirt in a horizontal plane so i figure some sort of grinding wheel did the scaring(which by the way is only one one inner skirt--bubba musta been out late the nite before).mike

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question; fender skirt

Thanks Mike. Seems like the depth, or texture, changes from car to car. I suppose the angle of the grinder may have had something to do with that? My February 63 has the deep gouges that you describe.

[Michael H.]

Re: Upon closer inspection and better light

Good pic Wayne, thanks. The corners seem to be different than the straight sections. My 66 has the same parallel marks in/near the corners but curved arked gouges on the straight sections on both fenders and also on the bond at the rear top panel to firewall.