Car Fenders: History

1 Historical Aspects – How Fenders Evolved As A Major Styling Element?

By the early 1900s, American and European-made motorcars had rudimentary fenders over the wheels to keep the driver and passenger safe from mud and sludge. It is believed that the first automobile fender was invented in 1901 by Frederick Simms, although Carl Benz had already mounted a cycle fender in 1894 on his patent motor wagon. Initially, car fenders were used to prevent the splash of roadways into the passenger compartment of open cars. By 1910, more wide and long fenders with running board combinations became prominent. Body stylists regarded them as a necessary feature, but one relegated to a single job, keeping the dust particles and mud under control.

In the 1920s, it was believed that Harley Earl gave the concept that if we extended the front fender rearward and added a recess at the bottom, you could mount the spare tire there. Then in 1933 skirted fenders were introduced in the American automobile industry. Earl redesigned the skirted fender and introduced a pontoon fender look that made the fender an even more prominent styling element.

The most influential stylists of the 1940s, at least as far as fender lines are concerned, were Jacques Saoutchik and Joseph Figoni. Figoni Cabriolet is the pioneer in defining the modern fender. While designing these fenders, Figoni also implemented aerodynamic shapes, which help reduce drag and increase its speed. Modern fenders are designed in such a way that, along with performing the above function, they also improve the aesthetics of the vehicle. Figoni Delahaye has one of the most spectacularly designed fenders, which left everyone speechless.

The caliper houses the brake pads that squeeze against the rotors and stop your vehicle. First, you need to loosen the caliper bolts to move the caliper away from the rotor assembly. Choose the correct size of socket and ring spanner to carry out the operation. Calipers come in one-piece and two-piece designs that are secured with two or four bolts and this can vary depending on the vehicle. You can spray penetrating oil to aid in removing them if they do not open easily.

2 How Modern Fenders Are Different From Old Ones?

Fenders nowadays came in a more integrated form compared to old vehicles, as the old vehicle’s fenders had a pronounced appearance. Old vehicles, especially from the 1950s, had a unique flair and style, with most of them featuring bubble fenders that stuck out prominently. Modern fenders have evolved a lot with time in comparison to old ones because they not only serve an aesthetic purpose but play an important role in enhancing the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Furthermore, modern fenders are engineered to absorb impact from minor collisions as well. They have a fender liner attached to them that protects the engine bay and other components from potential damage that can be caused by rocks and flying debris. Fenders today also have additional features like grooves and grillwork that are designed to improve the car’s performance and can be usually seen in high-end performance vehicles. Another attribute of the modern fender is turn signal lights. By law, all modern vehicles are required to have turn signal lights mounted on the fender.

3 How Fender Materials Have Evolved?

Of all the features and body parts outside your vehicle, fenders play a key role in protecting your car and other people on the road by housing the wheels. By considering the history and evolution of materials used in the manufacturing of fenders, you can get a complete sense of just how important they are for your vehicle.

A fender today is a quintessential feature of the car, but back in the old days, they were entirely decorative and made from heavier metals like steel and even wood. Most of the older vehicles used to have a single body part running from the front to the rear of the vehicle, which acted both as a bumper and a fender. These steel fenders were heavy and prone to corrosion. To avoid corrosion and add new styling to the vehicles, chrome was also introduced into their designs. With passing years, the fender design and choice of materials changed. Breaking the traditional use of a single steel component, body parts were manufactured in portions and then assembled together. The most significant innovation during this era was the introduction of plastic fenders and bumpers. With the introduction of plastic, the long reliance on chrome and other metals decreased. This laid the foundation for the improvement of both efficiency and safety of modern vehicles.

With time, the safety regulations by the government evolved and so did the aesthetic expectations of the customers. To meet these challenging requirements, automakers started using plastic and steel fenders both and often with bits of chrome. Modern vehicles today are equipped with fenders made from plastic, steel, aluminum, and modern plastic composites like thermoplastic and fiberglass. Usually, heavy vehicles like trucks, utility vehicles, and SUVs are equipped with metal or steel fenders, whereas passenger vehicles have plastic fenders. Fiberglass and thermoplastic fenders can be replaced easily and are inexpensive compared to steel ones. Some high-end vehicles use carbon fiber fenders that are very light and stronger than steel. The use of these composites and advanced materials is aimed at reducing the weight of the vehicle and matching the cost constraints while manufacturing vehicles.

4 What are Car Fenders Made of?

Car fenders are typically made of various materials, including metal, plastic, fiberglass, rubber, and aluminum. Steel fenders are known for their durability and protection but can be heavy, impacting fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, aluminum fenders are lighter, aiding in better fuel economy and causing minimum car body rust.