Author Topic: Front Fender Headlight Notches (Read 19333 times)

gzmavian · « **on:** December 23, 2009, 01:12:49 »

I was wondering what the significance of the front fender headlight notches on Pagodas represent. Certainly many enthusists place significance to this detail to assess front end body work but why is it there?

Witt · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:28:51 »

.....I just finished the bodywork and paint on my car and non of the inside fender notches where present. Previous bodywork obviously erased them. ( I can live with that ! ) Here is my take on the subject:
Is it possible that the headlight rims are suitable for left or right side application ? Hence two notches on the rims ! In that case, the notch in question would match the one on the headlight rim while the other notch would match the crease on the front fender.

Buenas notches........couldn't resist....

CHEERS !
WITT !

JamesL · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2009, 07:05:38 »

This is one of the photos I sent to Michael for "the book". It's entitled.... "Buenas Notches".

Richard Madison · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:18:57 »

Pagoda fans look for a notch as a sign that the fender is original and not a reproduction.

With a little effort a notch can be duplicated on a repro fender so the notch can no longer be taken as a definite sign of originality...and an original fender with a notch can be moved from one car to another...original fender but not original to that car.

To know that a fender is original to the car (for buying, judging, or just pride-of-ownership,) a better sign is a neat row of exactly even spot welds along the top edge of the fender inside the engine compartment where the fender joins the body. Add-on fenders have irregular spot welds.

Richard M, NYC

john.mancini · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2009, 14:18:01 »

gzmavian's question was, "Why are the notches there?".
I believe they are there as part of the original body design (to match up with the notches on the original headlight rims). Often when these cars are repainted, the headlight rims are removed, and autobody people/painters unknowingly fill in the area with bondo. I've seen these notches in varying dimensions on original cars. They were done by hand at the factory.
John

ja17 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2009, 15:00:56 »

Hello,

The notches are not part of the original sheet metal fender when it comes out of the press at the factory, but are added after the fender is made. I believe they are formed out of body lead. Since the body lead is softer metal than the steel fender, the notches often disappear when an uninformed body man is sanding down the fender for repaint.

If you look at the headlight chrome bezel, you will see it is symetrical and usable on both sides of the car. When the notches are still present, then the notches in the chrome bezel will have notches to align with on both sides of the fender.

The notches have become another small indicator that a pagoda is correct or original.

SteveK · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2009, 00:03:04 »

You guys ruined my day, I just went out and looked and realized I don't have notches :'(

ja17 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 24, 2009, 00:33:44 »

Hello Steve,

Don't loose too much sleep. I am sure you are not alone here.

thelews · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2009, 00:55:13 »

Quote from: SteveK on December 24, 2009, 00:03:04

You guys ruined my day, I just went out and looked and realized I don't have notches :'(

Time to sell.

Garry · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2009, 02:31:09 »

Any decent paint shop can put them in for a small cost if missing and they are that important to you especally as most of the cars are non metalic paint and matching paint nowadays is relatively easy for a good paint shop.

Iconic · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2009, 14:08:04 »

Quote from: SteveK on December 24, 2009, 00:03:04

You guys ruined my day, I just went out and looked and realized I don't have notches :'(

Steve,
When you are sitting in the driver's seat you can't see if there are notches or not !!

Enjoy the other 99.9999% or your car !!!!
Mark

SteveK · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2009, 18:05:44 »

I think I will do my best to just imagine them!

thelews · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2009, 21:43:46 »

Quote from: SteveK on December 24, 2009, 18:05:44

I think I will do my best to just imagine them!

You could put "falsies" on.

Dash808 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 27, 2009, 20:41:04 »

A hammer & chisel for some poor man's notches.

J. Huber · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:42:15 »

Steve, if it makes you feel any better -- mine are gone too. (ok. I didn't really think it would...)

However try this, at one of our Bay area gatherings some 15 Pagodas were lined up -- and maybe 50% had 'em. And these were of various sizes and lengths. So let's just say, we are not alone! I drew mine on!

(only to see what they'd look like...)

SteveK · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:05:05 »

I rubbed around the area and could feel where they use to be. I'm now thinking that the "falsies" idea may be interesting. With 50% of them missing, there may be an economic opportunity, something like a "pet rock". I wonder what they may go for on e-bay?

thelews · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:41:56 »

I'll bet an artist with an air brush could fake them.

mdsalemi · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2009, 15:08:29 »

I think what's far more important is the quality of the work that surrounds said "notches". I'd rather have a fabulous body and paint job without the notches than a mediocre one with them; I'd rather have a super paint-color change than a horrific re-spray where the paint color numbers match.

Yes, on a great paint and body work job where they were inadvertently left off by a paint and body guy more concerned with quality work than super-specific work to one model, they can be added without much fuss.

Even the best of paint jobs will eventually require a little touch up here and there. At that time, if you are missing them, have them put back.

I didn't go looking around for the % of cars at PUB with or without them, Jim--but it was someone else who pointed out the % of cars with and without the MB badge on the front bonnet/hood. Next time, Jim Huber, you get 15 cars together, in addition to the quest for notches--check for hood badges, too!

J. Huber · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2009, 22:14:12 »

Hey Mike. I will take notes on the hood badges next time we gather. As a few of you can attest, I've been known to spend a lot of time gawking at the cars -- checking for things like notches, gas caps, and of course the FSVT. But I have to be honest -- I am pretty sure all (or at least most) of the cars last time had their badges! I would catch that I think... but ya never know.

Kind of hoping for a nice Bay Area gathering in the spring. Anyone interested?

SteveK · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2009, 22:42:35 »

This has been a very emotionally trying set of posts. At the risk of being let down again, I must ask, what is a FSVT

J. Huber · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2009, 23:14:30 »

Well, Steve. I am not sure if all models have them but the 230Sls do. This brave little warrior known as the FSVT is the small rubber "funnel shaped vent thing" that connects to the fuel evaporation vent mechanism in the trunk. Many have gone missing over the years -- but no Pagoda is complete without one! Take a peek under the rear of the car -- it should be next to the tail pipes. (sorry no picture at the moment). Still available from MB..

Jonny B · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2009, 00:20:22 »

I believe the FSVT lasted through the change to the US emissions upgrade with the larger venting tank in the left rear inner fender (in 69?). With the new tank the emissions from the gas tank got routed back to the engine, versus being sent to the atmosphere, at least for the US cars.

thelews · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2009, 00:51:56 »

FSVT, ask, and ye shall receive...

SteveK · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:06:21 »

I couldn't wait until the morning to check. Just looked under the car (I have a 230) and all I find in the vent tube, no FSVT :'( But a least I know I can buy one and will do so at the next Classic Center order. So although my ride is a little less than I thought, knowing I can have it fixed in a week I can now rest comfortably. (unlike my Notches which will always drive me bonkers!) I may have to hang a little flap under the car so no one can see it's missing however

mdsalemi · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2009, 14:28:17 »

Quote from: J. Huber on December 28, 2009, 22:14:12

Hey Mike. I will take notes on the hood badges next time we gather. As a few of you can attest, I've been known to spend a lot of time gawking at the cars -- checking for things like notches, gas caps, and of course the FSVT. But I have to be honest -- I am pretty sure all (or at least most) of the cars last time had their badges! I would catch that I think... but ya never know.

Kind of hoping for a nice Bay Area gathering in the spring. Anyone interested?

Ahh, the gas caps...if there is anything that seems to have gone missing over the years, it is this jewel-like chrome plated casting. Even when grill-stars were $300, not $1,200, and other parts we complain about today were only bordering on the unaffordable or outrageous, that chrome locking gas cap was an eye-popping shocker.

The funny thing is, an ugly but functional substitute can be had for next to nothing--which is why so many remain missing.

News:

Author Topic: Front Fender Headlight Notches (Read 19333 times)

gzmavian

Witt

SteveK

SteveK

SteveK

SteveK

SteveK