Were wheel opening moldings optional on '70 Hemi Cudas or not available because of the rolled lip front fenders?

Early built cars got them as part of the cuda package through at least mid October build. They were droped sometime after that, I assume because of having to modify the front mouldings for tire clearance.

My car was built in December 1969 and it came with wheel opening moldings.

Do you own one, post some photos of yours if you have any with or without the moldings.

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What a brilliant idea.I never thought of that.FI

M26 "wheel lip mouldings" were STANDARD on the '70 'Cuda (HEMI included).

at the begining of the model year:
HEMI'Cudas were Hamtramck built with wheel lip mouldings & shipped offsite to have the fenders rolled & wheel lip mouldings "hacked" to fit

at some point during the model year:
Factory installed rolled "HEMI FENDER" became STANDARD on HEMI'Cudas - some with and some without wheel lip mouldings both on the car and broadcast sheet

by the end of the model year:
HEMI'Cudas had factory rolled "HEMI FENDER" with NO wheel lip mouldings

FWIW: an original idea for the AAR'Cudas (& T/As) was to have G60-15 Polyglas GT tires on all 4 corners - this would have made it necessary for the same rolled fenders (& NO wheel lip mouldings) to be used - this didn't happen but it is the reason you will see factory original rolled fenders on some AARs.

Dan-Thanks for the education once again.Always great info.

Has any proof of this;

Quote:

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shipped offsite

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ever surfaced?

Yes...

There's a coupla guys that are on here occasionally that worked at Creative...

When I asked one of them, he had no proof.

No one else at the time did either, but that thread was about a year ago.

So, I am asking again, just in case.

I don't think there is going to be courtroom proof of some of the things that happened ..... but there is supporting evidence.

Just think what the quality of indoor flash personal instamatic camera technology was circa 1970.

Did anyone go to school in 1970? ..... got pics & we're not talking the school yearbook pic or "class" pic.

My Hemi Cuda had them....here is a 1979 pic.

I believe the basis of the early in the model year "CREATIVE" modified fenders story is true, although I do question some of the "ALL" & "NEVER" parts.

Here is an original paint A13-spd '70 HEMI'Cuda fender


Here is an original to the car, September '70, 1971 HEMI'Cuda fender


It looks to me - like the same procedure was used to "roll" the lip, some originals are very different.

where on the broadcast sheet would it say wheel opening moldings?

The part that baffles me - Why would Chrysler send these cars out for such a simple procedure?

I have heard two versions of the 'story'.

1. They were shipped out to Creative for this, but that same source said that the AAR & T/A hoods were made at Creative, but they were marked 'Made in Canada'.

2. That a 'tool' for this modification was designed by Creative for use in the plant on the Cudas. This source said that it was used on all AARs, when it is clearly not the case looking at original sheet metal cars.

So, proof anyone? I would love to see it if it exists.

Dan, in your two examples, any theories on why one had wheel lip moldings installed while one did not?

One is a '70 that was delivered with wheel lip mouldings, the other is a '71 that was delivered without.