Need new fender.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Prower
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Jim Prower

Jim Prower

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Well, this morning, I ended up in a little fender-bender. Literally.

My younger brother had parked his Ford Ranger quite close to the drive. I neglected to notice this as I backed my Nova out, and as I turned the wheel to turn onto the street...

*CRUNCH*

Now, the Ranger's bumper is rock-solid. The particular fender that hit it...was pretty rusty. There's now a huge hole in my bent-in fender.

So, I need a new front fender...actually, two, as the other one's starting to rust bad as well...and, other than calling junkyards and Maybe getting what I want, I don't know what to do. Other than junkyards, is there a good place to find body parts for a 1988 Chevrolet Nova?

And, no, I do not wish to do a Corolla Levin/Trueno/FX nose swap.
 
No, go to a Junkyard and pull the part yourself.

Or buy another 88 Nova. Except that has 100% less fail to it. And then go get fenders.

Or just get a car worth more than a fender, I dunno.
 
Wow. Major insensitivity, there.

Where is that car, though? looks like Chicago. 'd rather not go all that way for something I don't even have a photograph of. And damage=no.
 
You could also go to the Chevy dealership and they'll do what they can to source of new, reproduction, or used part for you. Easy, but pricey.
 
Jim Prower
Wow. Major insensitivity, there.

Where is that car, though? looks like Chicago. 'd rather not go all that way for something I don't even have a photograph of. And damage=no.
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You have a base model AE82 that is 21 years old by model year. It is reaching the point where getting parts that aren't from a junkyard will rapidly cost more than the value of the car. It would probably be safe to say your car is worth less than 500 dollars.

Going to a local "pull it yourself" junkyard here will run you about $20 a fender. A new one from the internet will cost about $50 before paint or shipping.

Your car has reached the point where putting any money into it is effectively throwing the money away.
 
Best to go to a junkyard as this way you can get anything else that you may need for your car at the same time, how many are there around where you live?
 
I think Azuremen is calling you out, bro. In all seriousness, it may very well be time to retire the Novayota. I've heard they make cars with airbags now.
 
Swap your car at a junk yard for something that's less junk.
 
*chuckle* you guys ever been on a peanut budget? you can't afford some piles of junk, now. lemmie check with my cousin around here. I remember seeing an AE82 still in use, and I'll see where it went.

for the rest of you, please remember that a lot of junkyards don't carry anything older than a 2000 MY vehicle.
 
Indeed. At the moment I'm more worried about college loans than cars. I'm working part-time and schooling full-time.

Besides, It's well-known that I'm crazy about this little car, and would gladly put in more than it's worth, simply for preservation. Or, at least, get another just like it and use this one for parts.

Aside from the fender, it's in really good shape, and I'm rather proud of it. So what if I want to try and fix it?

I'll try calling around. Also, while on Google, I found These guys, but I don't know how legit this is.

Simple "yes" or "no, this won't work," this time, no comment on age or cheapness of the car. I'm in it for love, not investment.
 
Out of those, Craigslist and ebay are probably best bets. My car's not quite old enough to be covered by the major resto companies...and if it were old enough, I'd probably have to get custom parts made or go to one of those classic car junkyards, anyway.

Main concern is finding one solid enough to use.
 
Have any pics? Just how dented or damaged is this fender? If you have a welder and bodywork knowledge you might just be able to repair it and save yourself a lot of money. Not sure how much you know about bodywork.
 
I know nothing about bodywork, and my only experience with a welder...got me a "D" in the class.

I don't have a photo at the moment. The hole's pretty good sized, and a good bit of he lower edge for the plastic trim piece that mounts to the bumper is gone. In this same fender is also a hole down near the rocker panel.

I dunno...If I replace the car, I want to with another Nova, preferably with less rust...For now, I'll drive around with the damage.
 
Jim Prower
Out of those, Craigslist and ebay are probably best bets. My car's not quite old enough to be covered by the major resto companies...and if it were old enough, I'd probably have to get custom parts made or go to one of those classic car junkyards, anyway.

Main concern is finding one solid enough to use.
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Most junkyards in my area still carry cars even from the early 80's. Do you have the 4 door hatch or sedan? Are their fenders the same? I rarely see the hatch at junkyards, but if fenders are the same for those two versions you shouldn't have any problem finding one. With a little luck you'll probably find one that matches color.

Besides, junkyards are fun to go to even if your not looking for anything. It's a good way to spend a couple hours discovering cars you never knew existed.
 
Front fenders are the same, yes.

Normal junkyards would probably have the car I'm looking for, however, what I'm afraid of is bad rust in two places: just in front of the front wheelwell, and at the rocker panel, just in front of the front door. Every Nova I've seen has rusted this way. Why, I don't know.

If I can find this, and the panel is straight, I'm golden.
 
Jim Prower
Front fenders are the same, yes.

Normal junkyards would probably have the car I'm looking for, however, what I'm afraid of is bad rust in two places: just in front of the front wheelwell, and at the rocker panel, just in front of the front door. Every Nova I've seen has rusted this way. Why, I don't know.

If I can find this, and the panel is straight, I'm golden.
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Bring a screwdriver or some sort of long object so you can push on the problem ares of the fender you are looking at. If it moves or pushes through then it is obviously bad. Just a little hint while you treasure hunt in the junkyard.
 
Okay. Thanks for the tip. Tree branches are common around here...I could even pick up a small twig in the junkyard itsself, in case the owner'd get a little pissy about carrying a sharp tool in. (although it's a JUNKyard...some people around here are weird.)
 
Yeah you could also use a key or penny too. You get the idea and like you said there are plenty of things laying around the junkyard that you can use to poke at the fender.
 
Toronado
Not everyone has the cash to throw away on pristine condition 15-year-old cars that you do.
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Didn't say they did. However, every car reaches a point where it becomes a money pit. The AE82 with the 4A-C that Jim owns has zero redeeming qualities. It isn't rare, fast, mint, historic, or anything of real note. It is another late 80's econobox. He could just drive it with the damaged fenders and save money till he can buy a whole car to replace it with, or a model with the 4A-GE and use his older car for parts. Or swap the 4A-GE over.

I thought it was ludicrous to try to source parts from anywhere but the cheapest source, because he could very easily pay the value of the car in those fenders and getting paint matched. It is just basic making sense of money.

CAMAROBOY69
Yeah you could also use a key or penny too. You get the idea and like you said there are plenty of things laying around the junkyard that you can use to poke at the fender.
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I just use a screwdriver with a cloth around the tip so I don't risk scratching anything when I check for rust this way.

Make sure you have a decent set of open-ended/box wrenches and sockets. Most fenders have some quite awkward to get it bolts where the door hinges at. A breaker bar and WD-40 are also quite handy. Assuming this is a Pull it yourself junkyard.
 
Azuremen
I thought it was ludicrous to try to source parts from anywhere but the cheapest source, because he could very easily pay the value of the car in those fenders and getting paint matched. It is just basic making sense of money.
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Ah, I get what you are saying now. My mistake.
 

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