I know there's a difference between RS and not-RS fenders; they've got different prices in the catalogs, and some catalogs even have "kits" to make a non-RS fender into an RS fender.

I ask because I was looking at http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=433203290 - which is an auction on a pair of NOS RS fenders, and I realized I didn't know how to tell if they were RS or not. They look a lot like the fender I bought for 50 bucks at the meet this weekend, even up in the headlamp area.. so is there a quick and easy way to tell if it's an RS fender or not?

Thanks!

(edited to add: Pic of my fender is at http://www.derekf.com/IMAGES/mvc-401f.jpg )

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camaro@derekf.com
67 Camaro Basket Case
69 El Camino SS396 (Daily Driver)

[This message has been edited by derekf (edited 09-11-2000).]

Yes, look inside the fender area where the head light goes into and the RS fender has a tab welded into it where as the standard fender does not. Thats why you can make a RS fender work on a standard but not the other way around.

Look on page 334 of Classic Ind. catalog, bottom right side and you can see the RS tabs that they sell, thats the only difference.

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67 Camaro SS Conv.
70 Challenger R/T Conv.

Hmmm this makes me wonder. On my 68 RS the passenger side fender has been replaced. The hideaway door etc works OK but they never hooked the canisters back up. In fact I don't have the brackets that hold the canister and where it bolts to the fender there are no holes. On the drivers side the holes are in the lip where the fender meets whatever you call that piece down below it. I always figured I'd just have to drill holes when I get the brackets. Does that mean I have a non RS fender and if so how'd they make it work?

Winch, they may have replaced your fender at some point, but if it wasn't a RS fender, the headlamp bucket wouldn't bolt right, and I don't think your door would work at all. Replacement fenders, even GM, aren't drilled for accesories, or emblems. I bought a new GM RS fender for the 67, and had to drill holes for emblems and antena. The reason RS fenders have the mounting tabs set back, so the headlamp is set in deeper, is so the door can swing clear of fender and grill. You'll probably have to drill and get the right brackets for your cannister, which is what prior owner should have done in the first place. http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

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Steve
67 SS 396,4-sp
67 RS 327,4-sp
72 RS 350/350
69 4X4 suburban 350,4-sp
73 3/4 ton 454/400
http://www.geocities.com/stevocamaro

Ok, this leads me to the question then:

How deep is it set in the RS (so I can take a tapemeasure to mine)?

Thanks!

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camaro@derekf.com
67 Camaro Basket Case
69 El Camino SS396 (Daily Driver)

Derekf, I don't remember the exact measurement, but I might find it in my assembly manual for you.

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Steve
67 SS 396,4-sp
67 RS 327,4-sp
72 RS 350/350
69 4X4 suburban 350,4-sp
73 3/4 ton 454/400
http://www.geocities.com/stevocamaro

Top RS tab is 3 1/4 to 3 3/8"" from front curved edge.
Bottom RS tab is 2 7/8" to 3" from front of curved edge. I measured both brand new GM 67 RS fenders I've been meaning to install this summer. The left one was 1/8" deeper than the right. I guess I'll bend the right fender tabs in a little bit to make them equal when I finally get around to that project. Oh well, where did this summer go?

[This message has been edited by bonecrusher67conv (edited 09-13-2000).]

Well guys,

I have seen non-RS fenders work fine with RS cars. What was done is some sheet metal stock was used to fabricate some brackets that attached at the headlight bucket and to the front tabs of the fender. This sheet metal bracket is what kept the headlamp assembly in it's proprer place. As mentioned earlier, on a RS the headlight buckets are located further into the fender than on non-RS cars. This allows for the headlamp door to have clearance to operate.

Okay, next question in this thread but somewhat unrelated. I know an RS fender can work for a standard application, but is it a big deal to change over or is it as simple as hacking off the mounting taps inside the headlamp opening?

Yes, like sr71bb said, if you want to cut the tabs, or modify anyway you like, you can make a RS fender work for standard light buckets and visa-versa. You just have to relocate mounting tabs.

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Steve
67 SS 396,4-sp
67 RS 327,4-sp
72 RS 350/350
69 4X4 suburban 350,4-sp
73 3/4 ton 454/400
http://www.geocities.com/stevocamaro

The '68 I bought earlier this year has an RS fender that looks like it was once a standard fender. What it looks like they did was just hammer in the tabs for the standard headlights. They're out of the way now, but now I hafta pry them back out to be able to drive my car at night... If you wanna buy the fender, it's in good shape... e-mail me if so.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I have been told that the RS has a little more flair than a regular even though I know they say they are interchangable. I used one and it doesn't quite fit as well around the grill area. There is about an 1/8 of an inch diference. Anyone know more about this?