1973 Dodge Polara Front Fender Extensions 3672152 - 3

[70NEWYORKER]

Found this again after many years and thought some may find it of interest. I came across this in an antique shop about 25 years ago. Price was low enough to make it foolish to leave it behind. I believe it is a mold or pattern. Are the fender extensions on the '73 Polara die cast or fiberglass??

 

[marty mopar]

Those are really curious! Both numbers DO NOT come up in a Google search!

Sure looks like a mold used by a vendor.

 

[Michael Johnson]

On my 72 they are die cast

 

[mr. fix it]

Found this again after many years and thought some may find it of interest. I came across this in an antique shop about 25 years ago. Price was low enough to make it foolish to leave it behind. I believe it is a mold or pattern. Are the fender extensions on the '73 Polara die cast or fiberglass??

You are correct. this is a pattern used for creating a mold that then is used to create the part.

I recall my dad having me drive to pick up mold patterns for his industrial pumps in I was in my early 20's

They were in turn used to make sand castings & then in turn used to create pump castings.
It was quite a common practice back then without the use of CAD systems

 

[68 4spd Fury]

Definite mold pattern, one of my Chrysler jobs was in our prototype area. I'd have to procure patterns for new trans/transfer case cases and other parts too. Worked with a couple shops in the CNY area, those things were almost works of art.

 

[Carmine]

They are die cast. I might be interested if you're looking to sell.

The use of wood is almost completely gone (notice I say almost). They now use a material that is sort of a foam composite. My knowledge come only from a friend who's job title is wood model maker, but she probably hasn't touch wood in many years. 3D printing is also used.

You'd think with all the tech available that many of these arts would disappear but that's not entirely the case. Often something of higher priority may take up the limited number of very expensive machines, so it becomes cost-effective to do certain things the old way.

 

[70NEWYORKER]

Those are really curious! Both numbers DO NOT come up in a Google search!

Found numbers in 73 Parts Manual..