How can you tell a TA fender from an RT fender on a 70/71 Challenger?

[ogre]

I picked up a few fenders for my 70 Challenger, and I noticed something a little weird. If I measure the wheel well at the bottom of the fender the span is 32 inches on 3 of my fenders, but 33 inches on the last one. No visible damage or cut marks its just bigger. It is of course the single driver side not one of the 3 passenger sides. I heard a TA fender had a rolled lip to make it accommodate a 15" wheel but I never saw one so I don't know. Also where are the hood bumpers on the fenders I have some forward and some several inches back. The notch in the very front vs no notch means what?

Anybody know the back story?

thanks
Jeff.

 

[terrywalker]

I believe the notch in the very front of the fender came out part way through the 1971 model year. My Dec 70 built 1971 Challenger did not have the fender notch.
Terry W.

 

[340challconvert]

In the 70’s, Mopar, the were technically 3 Challenger fenders that were made; one standard-3419878-79, one for cars with 15in fenders-3579380-81, and a production fender that was a over the counter factory replacement fender in the 70’s-3579624-25 that was listed as a TA fender in the collision manuals.
I picked up a new set of the 24-25 fenders in the early 80’s. When you compare them to my early production (Oct.69) originals, the 624-25 have the notch and the hood bumper nut is welded in a different location. This was the only Challenger factory fender that was was available at the time and was designed (I guess) to be a replacement for all needs? They had the notch to fit the 1971 grill. The gents on the assembly line probably used whatever fender that was in bins by 1971 production. My Challenger is an early 1970 A66 that originally came standard with 15” rallye wheels and has the wider opening and the center is flat. Best guesstimate I can make!

 

[Challenger RTA]

70 71 COLLISION GUIDE

71 COLLISION GUIDE PARTS Some years parts are different.

www.forebodiesonly.com

 

[340challconvert]

And to confuse the issue more; the 624-625 fenders (TA replacements) had a bulge at the center wheel well that is different to accommodate the wider tires.

 

[terrywalker]

Actually, the notch was not needed for the 71 grille but for the 72-74 grille. The part of the fender with the notch was used on the later grilles so it looks like Mopar started stamping them out early. See photo of my fender to grille header area.
Terry W.

 

[340challconvert]

From the factory 1972 Mopar Dealer Parts Catalog

3419878-9 1970, except F60x15" tires
3579380-1 1970, with F60-15" tires
3579380-1 1971, with F60-15" tires
3579624-5 Trans. Am, w/F60x14 tires

 

[Xcudame]

Thanks for the fender education guys! I knew there were 14" and 15" fenders, didn't know there was an T/A fender as well!

 

[ogre]

Thanks to all for their input. So I looked at my fenders for serial numbers, only found 1 fender with stamped numbers near the rear hood bumper but they were all 000000's. So where did they hide those numbers. the undersides are all factory undercoated so I don't want to scrape all of it if I know where the numbers are. It looks like i have 2 -70's and 1 early 71 and 1 later 71, one of the 70's has the larger 33" measurment. So still might need a 70 RT driver fender when all this shakes out.

jeff.

 

[340challconvert]

Numbers on fenders were always stenciled on

 

[NixDad]

Jeff, regarding your comment about the opening dimension of 32" vs 33", as was commented above, the fender tooling (outside skin) didn't change shape over the years. So, it could have been modified by someone (would seem like a strange thing to do) or possibly your method of measuring is a bit inaccurate.
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