Modern Rodding TECH
InTheGarageMedia.com
![Front view of a ’55 Chevy, unpainted and missing fender, engine, and headlights](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-1.jpg)
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riginal or repro? It’s a longtime hot rodder’s battle with no one correct answer. On the one hand, there is something special about repairing that original tin. There just seems to be a bit more “soul” in 68-year-old fenders, but on the other hand, there is a strong argument for today’s high-quality reproduction sheetmetal. If that gennie fender requires too much repair you can fall prey to the old axiom: “The handle has been replaced three times, and the head twice, but it’s still Grandpa’s axe.” Likewise, be sure to buy quality reproduction sheetmetal so you don’t end up doing excessive work for proper fit. In the end, the decision comes down to a good, honest assessment, the availability of quality new tin, all mixed with just a bit of opinion for flavor.
When Jon Mannila and his team of craftsmen at MetalWorks Speed Shop in Eugene, Oregon, set about assessing the front sheetmetal on Dave Goodwin’s ’55 Chevy they knew almost immediately the driver-side fender had issues making a replacement fender the better option. The passenger side fender was a different story. The fender was remarkably straight and had no rust in the lower extremities or wheelwell, but there was the common problem of rust over the headlight and one other relatively small, damaged area. It is a rare ’55 Chevy that doesn’t have fender brow rust. But since that was the only real issue (along with the small repair and filling some trim holes) it was decided the passenger side was “a keeper.”
Both fitting new front sheetmetal and fender brow repair are within the capabilities of many backyard hot rod builders. Smaller projects like these provide the perfect platform to develop your sheetmetal working skills. What we’re saying is, maybe try a headlight brow before chopping a top. So, follow along as we show you how the pros at MetalWorks do things, and maybe you’ll take on a similar task with a bit more confidence.
![Diagonal front view of a ’55 Chevy, unpainted and missing fender, engine, wheels and headlights](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-2.jpg)
![Close up of headlight opening and brow](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-3.jpg)
![Old piece of metal from a past headlight repair, laying on a red surface](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-4.jpg)
![Melted puddle of lead on the floor](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-5.jpg)
![Side view of front wheel well, with no wheel](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-6.jpg)
![Man wearing yellow gloves, placing placing headlight patch panel onto car body](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-7.jpg)
![Close up of headlight opening](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-8.jpg)
![Close up of headlight opening and brow patch panel](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-9.jpg)
![Man with welding mask and gloves, welding the panel to the headlight](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-10.jpg)
![Close up of headlight opening and brow](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-11.jpg)
![Man in yellow gloves holding the headlight rim up to the headlight opening](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-12.jpg)
![Close up of the headlight in the opening](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-13.jpg)
![Man welding the inner ring of the headlight](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-14.jpg)
![Close up of the headlight with the ring both installed in the opening](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-15.jpg)
![Close up of a small damaged area on the car](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-16.jpg)
![Close up of a small rectangular area welded onto the car](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-17.jpg)
![Close up of the welded spot after being smoothed out](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-18.jpg)
![Close up of completed headlight repair](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-19.jpg)
![Close up of completed headlight repair](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-20.jpg)
![Close up of completed headlight repair](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-21.jpg)
![Man with yellow gloves, using a grinder to smooth out around the headlight](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-22.jpg)
![Man with yellow gloves, polishing the metal next to the headlight](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-23.jpg)
![Close up of completed headlight repair](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-24.jpg)
![Front view of the '55 Chevy with completed headlights](https://digital.modernrodding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Highbrow-img-25.jpg)
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