Tire Blowout Wrecked my Fender... Help!

[74ChargerIzzy]

Hi. Today I was taking my old 74 out for a cruise on the highway, speed limit for this section had me going about 55-60 mph. Suddenly a series of loud knocks and bangs followed by some sort of smoke pouring up from the floorboard, just in general very scary. I assumed I had just ruined my engine and so I coasted to a stop on the side of the road and shut it off immediately. Got out to check things over, and sure enough the engine seems to be okay... but the drivers side fender and fender strut is absolutely mangled and my tire is stripped clean of its tread. I had planned on getting new wheels and tires soon anyway so that isn’t too big a deal, but on the other hand my fender is so damaged I can’t even hardly believe it. Im guessing the smoke was just dust from the tire shaving its tread off?
So... I would like to find a good shop or place around the Western Kentucky area that either knows their classic car bodywork or mopars in general who might be able to set me up with getting my fender all repaired up. I’ll include some pictures I took of it too, it’s nasty

 

[alfaitalia]

Ouch...how old was that tyre?....looks pretty old and dry.

 

[74ChargerIzzy]

Ouch...how old was that tyre?....looks pretty old and dry.

From what I could gather based on the last registration of the car by the owner before me, they are at least back to 1993. I've been using them for a while now, they seemed to ride and stop fine but I guess my luck just ran out on the driver's side front rubber. Surprised the rears haven't gone out...

 

[GetX'd]

Sorry for your loss but man you always have the check the tire dates on these old rides. Having tires from 1993 is way dangerous.

 

[alfaitalia]

There is always a date code (usually stamped in an oval on the sidewall). No tyre manufacturers recommend using tyres over ten...and some only recommend using tyres older than 5 if you do a thorough annual inspection for cracks and bulges. At least no-one was hurt.

 

[dadsbee]

He really doesn't need the tire lecture, he needs advise on where to get the fender fixed!

 

[alfaitalia]

I see that...but if he had the tyre lecture in the past he might not need to know to fix the fender now....and maybe knowing this stuff now he might not have to in the future!

I know a good body shop...but might be a touch too far away for him!

 

[74ChargerIzzy]

Yep I appreciate the concerns guys haha. I won't be making the old tire mistake again. What body shop are you thinking of? I may be near enough to make the trip

 

[dadsbee]

Alf's in the UK, shipping might be costly! LOL

 

[Cranky]

I've had steel belted radials shed the tire thread when they were only a few years old! I hate them!!!!!

 

[YY1]

Might be cheaper to find a fender.

 

[YY1]

last time I asked about fixing one I was quoted $1500.

I found a perfect one for $300.

Still needs paint but it won't be $1200 to paint it.

 

[74ChargerIzzy]

Hmmm... Where's it at? That seems like a really good $$$ deal

 

[1967coronet]

Sorry to see that. Yep, you need a fender and braces and figure on blending onto the door to get a decent match.

 

[WP29440SE]

you would be way ahead of the game finding another decent fender.

 

[Durandal25]

Dude, thank god you were not injured....and you managed not to total your ride. Fender can be fixed or replaced

 

[myk r sanchez]

First off I'm glad neither you nor anyone else was hurt, and that your car wasnt completely wrecked, as it could've been. Secondly, I do think the old tire lecture is in order because too many classic car drivers do this. Best example is a friend of mine: he's got a 55 crown Victoria and a 61 lincoln; with BIAS PLY tires that have been on these cars since the 90's. His excuse is that he doesn't drive fast on the freeway and that bias ply tires last much longer than radials.

With people's lives and property on the line you cant take wheels and tires for granted; theres a lot riding on those pieces. Good luck to you...

 

[71dodgechargerrt]

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/1974-charger-parts.190482/

This add is a bit old but does not hurt to contact people to see what they have.

 

[74ChargerIzzy]

Thanks a bunch for all the input and concerns guys. I'll look into that ad for the parting out Charger, hopefully be able to take home that driver's side fender. Seems no one reproduces this particular year fender, but I was able to find some new lower valences up on auto metal so that's good. New wheels and tires already on their way!!

 

[Officer Higgins]

Guy headed to the mopar nationals around 1995. had a tire blowout and it ripped into the floor pan of the trunk right behind the right rear wheel. 1968 gtx freshly restored. Pretty new tire was what puzzled him, he said man glad it was the rear tire.