Building or Repairing a 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II Fender by Chris Vick

It has been awhile since I last posted  a story so here it is; FENDERS.

Probably the most significant part of our long nose cars, T’s and II’s should be the same. I have built 2 sets of II’s fenders and have seen 1 nos T fender. Everybody knows that the front was added on but do you know the mods to the bottom of the fender and the added body line in the lower fender? Follow along and I hope to shed some light on the construction of the fenders.

Most of you out there probably have fenders in nice enough shape to not have to learn this. Who made these fenders? Nobody seems to know who or where they were made. (Note by editor: It is rumored that the first 100 or so Talladega fenders were built by Holman and Moody but because the quality was so poor Ford switched over to another manufacturer for the rest of the run. Anyone know who built the Spoiler II fenders?) Too much time has passed to find plant workers, I am guessing the average worker would be 70 to 80 years old. What, drive around Lorain Ohio with a loud speaker asking if anybody worked at the plant when II’s where made? Might get you a free trip to the rubber room.

My fender’s were junk, so rebuilding was the only option at that time. I started by measuring from the door end of the fender towards the nose, and made marks on the extensions so I knew where to reattach them. I made a call and had the great fortune to talk to Lee Holman. I asked him if there was any kind of print/specs on building the fender and he had none, and made the comment they just cut the fenders, stuck them in a jig and welded them up. He followed it by saying at 200 mph they don’t have to look to pretty.

These last two photos show you the inner brace mod and how the the end of the fender was cut. Not many people have started with such a rough piece of history, that is the only reason I am learning this much about these cars and feel honored to share this with you.

I hope you learned something. Next up will be the rocker panel and how the outer wheelhouse was modified.

Chris Vick