New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Hi fellas. I bought this beauty recently and am curious why the fenders were cut up like they are. As if to provide more tire clearance or something. Both front fenders are butchered. The rear ones have been cut, then sheet metal flaps added back on.

Any idea why? Was this common? I've never owned a Model A before, and am still learning.

https://i.ibb.co/J5q5SFC/IMG-20201018-132750235.jpg

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

I'd say it's anyone's guess as to why that was done. Does the car start/run?

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

canabelze the fender sides for another project. Dunno. hope you are not in it too deep. Fun thing to learn about model A's. Engine run? Easy to take apart and learn. Is there a Model A club in your area?

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

The most likely explanation is that oversize wheels had been fitted maybe for rural delivery . I know you will be very tempted to get it running most people try this to "save it" . Before you do this drop the oil pan and clean it out it will be full of nasty gloop .Pop out the dipper tray and clean out the valve chest as well . The main bearings are fed from 3 holes one in the middle and one each end on the floor of the valve chest chamber .

John in lovely sunny morning Suffolk County England .

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

I remember back in the 50's there was a craze where boys "dehorned" their Model A's and they looked something like that.

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Too bad the trimmed the fender braces as well. No telling what their intention was.

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Me thinks them mud daubers on the rim will skedaddle on their own.

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Possibly it was in an accident and instead of fixing/changing the fender maybe they just cut out the damaged area??
Paul in CT

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

It doesn't really look due to damage, unless all 4 corners were damaged the same way. They are all cut. I guess it doesn't really matter, I was just curious if anyone had seen this before. I saw another one for sale recently that was cut similarly, but can't find the ad again.

A little more info for those that asked:
It has been sitting in a barn for years, and so doesn't currently run. It turns over fine by hand tho, and all the important stuff seems to still be there. As long as it has compression I don't see any reason it won't run. Judging by the license plates, it was last registered in Nebraska around 1958.

This is my first Model A, but pulling junkers out of fields and putting them back on the road is how I spend most of my free time. I've got about a dozen other, mostly GM, cars and trucks at the moment from '50-76.

I purchased the Model A from an estate auction at an extremely reasonable price. It has a clear title, and aside from the terrible fenders, the body looks solid as a rock. I couldn't pass it up. I had to take it home with me.

I don't have any great pics handy, but here's a couple more. Not sure why they uploaded so huge. Check out that spark plug wire made of bailing wire. If that ain't American ingenuity, I don't know what is.

https://i.ibb.co/6XL96NM/IMG-20201018-171743021.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/4FNjQDv/IMG-20201018-171758793.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/wwmJdpY/IMG-20201022-182556063.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/jrhP4hr/IMG-20201024-151242930.jpg

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

It was a tractor or mud buggy, look at the tires!

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

I would guess that it may have been used by a rural mailman. My grandfather in North Dakota had one with huge tractor tires that would get through the snow and mud. I have a picture somewhere but can't remember if the fenders were cut like yours. Ned

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

That's pretty cool! I'm not sure if the plow tread tire belongs on this car or was just put on to make it a roller, but it stands to reason the fenders were hacked up for tire clearance.

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Make it run and drive it just like it is.

Be careful with the spark plugs. They look like they may be original Champion 3X. Someone will be looking for them.

Chris W.

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Thanks, I was not aware. I have much to learn about these. The idea that those plugs may have been in there for almost 100 years is pretty wild. Super cool.


I don't think I'm ready to divulge that just yet. I'm still trying to deduce exactly what I've got and what it's actually worth.

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Found this on google.
If nothing else it's good for a laugh.
That's a neat car, looking forward to seeing more of it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f196f8ae61.jpg

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

Hauled the mail is my guess too.

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

If you look closely at the door it says US MAIL. From the picture it looks right, but not seeing it in person I can't tell how old the lettering is. I thought it was kinda cool!

( Pic off google. Not the OP's pic.)

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

Re: New-to-me '29, Butchered Fenders?
 

I see it has snow tires these are practically mandatory on any old car find.L.O.L.