Help with 'Cuda Fender Identification

[70_440-6Cuda]

Quick question - other than the side marker light style, is there any difference in the front fenders for a '70-'74 Barracuda?

I was looking at what I have, and found a '74 fender in excellent shape - better than anything I currently have.  I think patching in the marker light would be easier than repairing the fenders I have.

Just want to make sure there are no other differences.  I haven't had the time to do some research so figured I would cut tot the chase and ask the experts

[pschlosser]

I believe the fender is mechanically and dimensionally the same across the whole 5-year 1970-1974 period.  

But there are some differences to consider:
1970 fenders had the single Hi-Low headlight bucket.
1971 and later had two headlight buckets per side.

1971 fenders may have special fish gills near the top, but not all.
1972 and later had a differing side marker light.
All years (I'm pretty sure) could have holes above the head light for the turn indicator, when equipped with optional light package.
Some gran coupe models, and maybe 1972 and later models, may have holes for badges and emblems that went behind the wheel well.

[70_440-6Cuda]

so for '72-'74 use on a '70, just need to swap side marker and possibly headlight bucket?

[pschlosser]

so for '72-'74 use on a '70, just need to swap side marker and possibly headlight bucket?

if you want to use a 1974 fender on a 1970 car, you're looking at some work around the side marker light.
if you can salvage what you need (side marker sheet metal and headlight hardware) from your prior fender, you may be in good shape.
going from the 1970 side marker to the 1974 side marker is much easier.
if it were me, I may keep looking for a 1970-71 fender.  but one in nice shape probably won't be cheaper than an AMD reproduction fender for the same.  if you can stomach going with a reproduction fender, AMD makes good stuff.

[70_440-6Cuda]

Here is the long version:  bought the car w/ fiberglass front fenders.  Purchased AMD left and right and was extremely disappointed in the fit and quality  and sold them off.

I know have about 5 original fenders in various states of needing repair.  I have a solid driver side fender that needs minimal repair I am using, passenger side I have needs quite a bit of cut and patch from 2 other fenders to make it right.  The biggest issue for the '70 I have is I didn't notice the dog leg inner brace is bent and the sheet metal is flattened out quite a bit, plus the front lip was trimmed at some point and also needs repair.

I found a '74 fender that is super straight and rust free and fairly reasonably priced, so cutting out the solid marker section from one of the '70 fenders I have and patching it in to the '74 seems the least labor intense.

Open to any thoughts or suggestions

[pschlosser]

I'm not there to observe things, firsthand.  I may be an observant guy.  But I miss things if I'm just thinking on it.

While AMD may be the better maker of reproduction sheet metal parts, things don't always fit perfectly on every car. Some tweaking always seems inevitable.  Be prepared for this as you fit steel fenders.  I'm surprised you were so dissatisfied with AMD, you decided to not use them, and go used OEM fenders.

My instinct is there may have be other things tweaked on the car to fit the fiberglass fenders, that isn't obvious at this time.  but time, will indeed tell you what's up.

except for the hood, I'm not a big fan of fiberglass parts on a street car, that I may lean against and drive regularly.  so I support your move back to steel fenders.

Regarding the dog-leg and sheet metal, I'm not able to see it.  a picture might help.  

when it comes to piecing fenders together, some want there to be little or no sign of the repairs looking from the inside of the wheel well.  that's hard to do.  but not everyone feels that way.

keep us posted. what you're trying to do, many have, and many will need to do something similar.  so we can learn from you, as well as help ya out with free opinions.  dumb looks, are also free. 

[68bee]

Use the clean 1974 fender and patch in the marker light. The headlight bucket in the 74 fender will work.

[70_440-6Cuda]

@pschlosser the big thing with the AMD fenders was not so much the fit, although it wasn't great it wasn't god awful either.  It was more the flimsy thin gauge sheet metal - I put a few pressure dents in them without much effort, and it was a noticeable difference compared to the factory steel.  That was my main reason going originals, plus I found a few decent originals within driving distance.  My biggest thing is deciding which originals to "piece" together for the least amount of work.

@68bee are there differences in the headlight buckets if you know, and if so would it be worth swapping for one of the '70 buckets I have?

After the new year I am hoping to be set up to do some work and share some pics of what I have - the car is super solid and just needs a little effort to get it to a point where I can enjoy it a bit.

My main goal is to get the engine / trans out and get the front clip mounted up and straight.  I have collected an original rust free, straight sport hood and have an AMD shaker hood also, original valence, original header panel and grill, so I should be able to piece it together fairly easy.

The next challenge will be removing the paint to see how much work it will be to put the marker lights back in the rear fenders as someone filled them at some point - hoping they did a bondo job and I can undo it without too much effort, but I have a feeling it may be another cut and patch job - TBD

[Mr Cuda]

70 has a welded in headlight bucket pedestal. 72-4 has a bolt in.