1967-1969 Barracuda Fenders

[Rick@Laysons]

High demand for a particular part does not neccessarly(sp?) mean that it would be a money making proposition for manufacture.

FIRST....the initial out-lay of cold hard cash to get the tooling made now-a-days is just simply ASTRONOMICAL.....bordering on the obscenely insane would be the nicest way I can put it. We're talking AT LEAST 5 figure tooling costs!!!!!!

SECOND.....now that the tooling is done, the cost of the raw materials will absolutely knock yer socks completely off!!!!! .....if you can even source them in these times!!!!

THIRD......now that the production run is done and the parts are in stock, on the shelf, and ready to ship.....all the people that said they would definately buy them have all mysteriously disappeared.

So the parts set on the shelf, interest on the money that's already spent accrues.....and who knows when enough sales will happen to even get close to getting the initial investment back.....let alone make any profit for your time and effort.

It's just not as simple as it all sounds...

Better odds can be found in any local casino.....

 

[Super-Cuda]

Thanks for the commentary Rick.

As I suspected, the Companies that are really interested in the hobby monitor these sites.

As is stated above, making parts has to make business sense first. There has to be a demand and the price has to reflect the cost. Well, if people are willing to spend 900-2000.00 for used/nos fenders and the manufacturers can sell a 68-70 Dart fender for 630.00 then the manufacturer has room to allow for extra costs in pricing a 67-69 Barracuda fender.

The only way the industry can get a handle on demand is if we show them that there is one by requesting a particular part.

Again, that's why I started this tread hoping the Manufacturers were monitoring the site.

I appreciate the costs involved but in the case of the 67-69 Barracuda, a good portion of the tooling is already complete as the inner structure of the fender has already been done when the 67-70 Dart fenders were made.

I believe that there is a market for these fenders simply because they have not been reproduced for 50+ years and the model is getting more popular ,especially as Resto-mods. Also, if you check e-bay prices for this model is also going up rapidly. That means there's an increasing demand for this model.

So far, Laysons and Classic Industries have showed interest in our concerns so now you know which vendors to support.

Keep posting guys and gals. Hopefully we can make something happen here.

 

[Super-Cuda]

Ok, so to make my intentions very clear, if the fenders were set to be manufactured, I will put down a deposit to buy a set.

There are three others on here who also expressed the same interest.

Anyone else who needs a set, please post your intentions .

 

[Bobacuda]

Glad to see a vendor respond and the cost considerations are real.

Correct me if I’m wrong. It appears that big ticket specialty parts are usually made by one company and pretty much all vendors (middlemen) sell them. That observation is based on boxes and shipping labels from products I have from several vendors.

I see AMD metal listed by multiple vendors. A few will have Goodmark. So actually, 1 mfg has the initial costs, and vendors order and stock what they think they will sell.

Do the major vendors and mfgs sit down (like at SEMA) and discuss their group needs and their markets with the mfgs? If Laysons, Year One, Classic, OEM, Restoration Parts, AMD, etc all sat down as a group and presented their needs, more parts might become more practical to make.

 

[Minercar]

I would certainly be interested in a set for the right price. I always thought there might be a proprietary issue with their reproduction.

 

[d5667]

I would certainly be interested in a set for the right price. I always thought there might be a proprietary issue with their reproduction.

And herein lies the problem-right price. Most on here wouldn’t give 300 each for a new fender. But will expect others to do the hard work invest a fortune. It’s the same old crap as you will set on your big butt scanning the internet for cheap parts that another person has found made a trip spent his time money and effort to get while you whine and bellyache about the high price of Chrysler parts. Right now I have seven sets and one odd fender for 67-69 barracudas. Call me what you want but I made trips used my vacation time spent my money and no I don’t have 1000 each in them. Flipper-hoarder-oh well!!!

 

[4spdragtop]

I'm up for a set. A minor fender bender sidelining the cuda would suck.
I had an NOS 68 or 9 I offered to AMD a ways back and they said nope we got an orig 68 here if we ever want templates....

 

[d5667]

If this will ever happen you guys need to step up. You cannot dictate your price on them. You need to convince them that they can”make money”! And if you don’t you had better buy up all those scrap fenders to weld together because they will eventually be gone.

 

[Super-Cuda]

And herein lies the problem-right price. Most on here wouldn’t give 300 each for a new fender. But will expect others to do the hard work invest a fortune. It’s the same old crap as you will set on your big butt scanning the internet for cheap parts that another person has found made a trip spent his time money and effort to get while you whine and bellyache about the high price of Chrysler parts. Right now I have seven sets and one odd fender for 67-69 barracudas. Call me what you want but I made trips used my vacation time spent my money and no I don’t have 1000 each in them. Flipper-hoarder-oh well!!!

On the contrary , speaking for myself, I respect what you did accumulating these parts. You are charging what the present market will bear and that's no different than any other business .
I've never dealt with you but I feel safe in saying you probably sell good to excellent parts. Not out there looking for top dollar for absolute junk which is what really pisses me off!

All I'm trying to do here is light a fire under everybody's *** so that maybe the manufacturers who sell parts might take notice if there's enough response. If it doesn't have any effect, oh well, at least I tried.

I'm really amazed you offered AMD a set of NOS fenders to help make repops.

Much props for doing that!

 

[Super-Cuda]

I'm up for a set. A minor fender bender sidelining the cuda would suck.
I had an NOS 68 or 9 I offered to AMD a ways back and they said nope we got an orig 68 here if we ever want templates....

Good on ya Steve!

We need a lot more of the 67-69 Cuda owners on here to step up and be heard rather than only logging on just to look at pictures as if they were looking at a Sears Catalogue at Christmas!

 

[d5667]

On the contrary , speaking for myself, I respect what you did accumulating these parts. You are charging what the present market will bear and that's no different than any other business .
I've never dealt with you but I feel safe in saying you probably sell good to excellent parts. Not out there looking for top dollar for absolute junk which is what really pisses me off!

All I'm trying to do here is light a fire under everybody's *** so that maybe the manufacturers who sell parts might take notice if there's enough response. If it doesn't have any effect, oh well, at least I tried.

I'm really amazed you offered AMD a set of NOS fenders to help make repops.

Much props for doing that!

I’m with you and I will sacrifice a pair of fenders if they would build a run. I just hope the ones that have these cars will realize that to make these available it takes money and it takes”CUSTOMERS WITH MONEY”! This is not the first time this has been brought up and I hope it is not the last. Good luck guys it’s in your hands!!!

 

[Super-Cuda]

I’m with you and I will sacrifice a pair of fenders if they would build a run. I just hope the ones that have these cars will realize that to make these available it takes money and it takes”CUSTOMERS WITH MONEY”! This is not the first time this has been brought up and I hope it is not the last. Good luck guys it’s in your hands!!!

One other thing to remember is that with front end collisions, fenders are going to be needed to do repairs. Insurance companies such as Hagerdy's are insuring these cars for declared value so they have to make the car whole again and back to pre accident condition. As I'm sure you know, there are a lot of high dollar Cuda's out there and the prices are rising as these cars are restored so the number of replacement fenders is dropping rapidly.

Hopefully the right people are listening...

 

[harrisonm]

Realistically they could get away with making 1 year, 67, 8 OR 9. Make ONE of those and we could mod if you so care to make it "correct" for the other 2 years.

I have thought the same myself, Steve. They could make the 68 (probably more of them around) and then make the small rectangular light patch panel for a 69 conversion. If one needed a 67, that would only require a few small peices of 18 gauge sheet metal and a bit of welding.

 

[harrisonm]

I have an idea. EVERYBODY ON FABO CONTACT AMD AND ASK FOR 67-67 BARRACUDA FENDERS. They may be on the fence about it. That could make a difference.

 

[Minercar]

And herein lies the problem-right price. Most on here wouldn’t give 300 each for a new fender. But will expect others to do the hard work invest a fortune. It’s the same old crap as you will set on your big butt scanning the internet for cheap parts that another person has found made a trip spent his time money and effort to get while you whine and bellyache about the high price of Chrysler parts. Right now I have seven sets and one odd fender for 67-69 barracudas. Call me what you want but I made trips used my vacation time spent my money and no I don’t have 1000 each in them. Flipper-hoarder-oh well!!!

Now your putting words in my mouth and I don't like the taste. I would certainly pay $300 for a new fender.

 

[Daves69]

.......I would certainly pay $300 for a new fender.

Lol, ya' can pay that for a bent and rusted one that takes 3 or 400 to fix!

 

[4spdragtop]

"Pressure" for lack of better word has to come from retailers as well as car owners. That's where the #'s will add up.

 

[Daves69]

A quick "gold"-bay search (glass omitted)........

1969 Barracuda Passenger's Side Fender F # 318 Mopar Used | eBay

PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA CUDA PASSENGER FENDER FORMULA S 340 383 426 HEMI 67 68 69 | eBay

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Passenger's Side Fender Mopar Used F# 321 A-Body | eBay

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Driver's Side Fender Mopar Used F# 320 A-Body | eBay

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Drivers Side Fender | eBay

 

[Super-Cuda]

A quick "gold"-bay search (glass omitted)........

1969 Barracuda Passenger's Side Fender F # 318 Mopar Used | eBay

PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA CUDA PASSENGER FENDER FORMULA S 340 383 426 HEMI 67 68 69 | eBay

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Passenger's Side Fender Mopar Used F# 321 A-Body | eBay

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Driver's Side Fender Mopar Used F# 320 A-Body | eBay

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Drivers Side Fender | eBay

Thanks for the post Daves69.

You definitely made your point!

I wouldn't pay $50.00 for either one of those . Looks like the junk someone else took off when they were restoring their own car.
I'd rather pay D5667 for one of his excellent condition fenders than waste my money on one of those. Unless you are a very skilled bodyman, you'll pay a fortune to have either one of those repaired, to probably end up with rust and bubbling breaking out somewhere else on it.

No Thanks!!

 

[Dartnut]

Well....
Rick @Laysons made a great point as well as d5667 about the reality of things when it comes to reproductions of parts.
Sure, we would like the aftermarket reproduce many things for our beloved cars, but the bottom line is money and profits.
They aren't doing it for the kindness of their hearts, it's all business.
For example, why do they reproduce say '69 Camaro fenders?
Because there is a demand for them in quantity.
They will outsell '69 Camaro fenders 100 to 1 compared to '67-'69 Barracuda fenders.
How many people out there will really buy a set or individual fender?
Maybe 100? 300? total maximum over the life span of production?
At $600 a pop, that's only a potential 600 grand to 1.8 million dollars.
And if the R&D costs say 500 grand, that's not enough of a return to produce them and market, produce, and sell them.
Sure, you guys are anxious to buy a few sets, and that is great.
The bottom line is, it just isn't worth it to them to reproduce the parts unless they make at least 100% profit after all expenses are taken into consideration.
That includes production, storage, shipping, etc.
Sorry to say, but that's the reality of it.
You have to wonder, why did they discontinue production of the rear Quarters for these cars?
They would outsell fenders by quite a bit.

Food for thought....

 

[Super-Cuda]

I agree with your analysis but there's a few things to add.

1. There are numerous places making Camaro /Mustang parts . Competition is keeping the price down there. Also, most are produced in Taiwan or China. Same place will likely make Cuda Fenders, get used to it.

2. No way is a 67- 69 Cuda fender going to be 600.00 More like 850.00 to 1000.00. Price may drop if demand is there.

3. These sheetmetal manufacturers produce when there is a demand. They don't just throw away all the tooling they spent a fortune to make. Its either stored or sold to someone else to use in manufacturing the parts. They are also looking for the next product to make. After all , they are in the supply business.

4. 67-69 Cuda prices are rapidly increasing because of the stratosphere pricing of the 70-74 Cuda's . Check ebay, Barret Jackson , Mecum Craig list etc.. You will pay 20,000 Plus for a v-8 equipped Barracuda in good condition. These cars were 7500-10,000 only a few years ago.
5. There's just as many reasons to make these fenders as to not make them. I'm hoping the Manufacturers will give this another look as I think the market place for them has finally arrived. Even Graveyard cars who said they would never do A-Bodies have started to restore them and will need new sheetmetal.. Only so many later Cuda's and Road runners left to do $100,000 Plus restorations on and they want to stay in business for a long time yet!

 

[4spdragtop]

If I ever land a "spare" set, they will turn into wall art at the very least.

 

[d5667]

Now your putting words in my mouth and I don't like the taste. I would certainly pay $300 for a new fender.

You need to look at this from another point of view. If you are serious about trying to get these builders to put out the money it will take to make a run then you need to assure them they will make a profit. You certainly don’t go to work everyday with the thoughts of-maybe I will get paid. Up to this point we have not shown enough-interest/money for them to take the chance, I hope this will work out.

 

[Super-Cuda]

Well....
Rick @Laysons made a great point as well as d5667 about the reality of things when it comes to reproductions of parts.
Sure, we would like the aftermarket reproduce many things for our beloved cars, but the bottom line is money and profits.
They aren't doing it for the kindness of their hearts, it's all business.
For example, why do they reproduce say '69 Camaro fenders?
Because there is a demand for them in quantity.
They will outsell '69 Camaro fenders 100 to 1 compared to '67-'69 Barracuda fenders.
How many people out there will really buy a set or individual fender?
Maybe 100? 300? total maximum over the life span of production?
At $600 a pop, that's only a potential 600 grand to 1.8 million dollars.
And if the R&D costs say 500 grand, that's not enough of a return to produce them and market, produce, and sell them.
Sure, you guys are anxious to buy a few sets, and that is great.
The bottom line is, it just isn't worth it to them to reproduce the parts unless they make at least 100% profit after all expenses are taken into consideration.
That includes production, storage, shipping, etc.
Sorry to say, but that's the reality of it.
You have to wonder, why did they discontinue production of the rear Quarters for these cars?
They would outsell fenders by quite a bit.

Food for thought....

Hey Dartnut,
Just in case you needed them, AMD still makes and sells quarter panels for 67-69 Barracuda's.

See below. Direct from their website and listed in stock.

• 

• 

Quarter Panel - OE Style - LH - 67 Barracuda Fastback (modify for 68-69)
Part# 700-1267-L Retail: (USD) $799.99
Availability: In Stock

Condition: New

Weight: 68.00 lbs

Shipping Dims: 96.00"L x 16.00"W x 46.00"H

Ships Truck Freight

 

[68turbobarracuda]

Cost aside.... Does anyone have a 68 front right fender for sale that is in descent shape? I know a lot to ask....