[Greg Reid]

Dang...I guess Arlington is the only place that put 'em on right....lol

[Formulajones]

LOL, it is what it is. I know Dads are original and correct for "his" car. They were in perfect shape and cleaned up nicely so I didn't disturb them. I see Pete's are also the same. Could be a 68 to 69 change. I'm pretty sure once his inner fenders were on the car, that slot in the splash shield exposes a hole in the frame behind the tire.

Different example but interesting, my 69 Z/28 also still has it's born with splash shields, and it uses very similar lower pieces like that down by the frame. They are installed on the same side of the inner fender in the same fashion as my fathers car. Norwood 12D 68 build. Kind of interesting, completely different manufacture and plant.

[Greg Reid]

Strange indeed...

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Strange indeed...

If it helps at all, I'd probably chuck it up as an assembly plant thing. I wouldn't call one or the other incorrect. I've restored a ton of original cars from various brands, and if there is one thing they all have in common, it's very little

There are so many quirks and assembly changes, many assembly changes done right through a single model year in the middle of production runs.

Mustangs are terrible for this, with 3 different plants, there isn't much that is the same between the 3. One plant uses batch paint to shoot the floors, one uses red oxide, the other is black.
GM F-body plants are the same way. Van Nuys shot the floors black while Norwood used Red Oxide.
The number of production run changes on a 69 Z/28 alone fills a whole page. From gauges, hoods, decklids, spoilers, exhaust, it's just crazy. Takes a TON of research to do one of these cars correctly, any car really.

[Formulajones]

Here you go Greg, adds more fuel to the discussion.

Here they are as factory installed on my fathers GTO from the picture above. You can see once the inner fenders are on the car, the slot in the splash shield follows the access hole in the frame of similar shape. Same on the other side. These oblong holes in the frame are for "T" bolt style chain hooks to tie the car down on a trailer, or on the trains or transport trucks during delivery. So they need to be accessible. Not sure if flipping the splash shield around would cover these tie down points or not.

Anyone install their inner fenders yet with the shields flipped the other way???

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

Here they are as factory installed on my fathers GTO from the picture above. You can see once the inner fenders are on the car, the slot in the splash shield follows the access hole in the frame of similar shape. Same on the other side. These oblong holes in the frame are for "T" bolt style chain hooks to tie the car down on a trailer, or on the trains or transport trucks during delivery. So they need to be accessible. Not sure if flipping the splash shield around would cover these tie down points or not.

Anyone install their inner fenders yet with the shields flipped the other way???

Now THAT makes sense as to why that slot would be there. Mine have been installed for years the other way and frankly, I NEVER look at them...I'll look today though...If I can remember it.
If mine are blocking that slot, I would relent and say that they SHOULD be installed the way everyone else's to be installed. As for mine, I never removed them.

[68ragtop]

Those are the picts we should probably be looking at more of. The ones that show the shields from the installed side perspective. It is interesting how the slot upwards, has the edge following the frame quite nicely like we can see in post #26

I'll bet we have now collectively discussed this more than was covered on how to install them in 68 I enjoy this part of the hobby though......

[Greg Reid]

After looking at Formulajones' photo and referencing Ken's photo from post #26, you can see that the slot mentioned by Mr. Jones is covered up.
I think you guys are correct that the slot goes down...but you can see how easily one plant might assume it goes the other way..like I did...for the bolt holes.

[68ragtop]

when I first saw the slot, I assumed it was just a releaf cut so it could follow the frame better. I do see an area above where the shield looks bubbled out. Probably from the way it was stapled. as we know, these staples are all over the place from car to car.

If it is indeed for the frame opening, now I am going to want to try & line that up before stapling mine. Lol.