Can This Fender Be Saved? Looking For Advice!

[rottenfish]

Hi All.. I had to pick up a fender for the driver's side of my 74. The one that is on it is VERY rotten. The replacement is relatively solid, except around the very front corner where the hood and headlight is. I am not looking for a 100 point show car, just a nice looking driver. Is this piece salvageable? I understand it will ultimately be the call of the body shop doing the work, but I would like to be armed with a few opinions before I start pounding the pavement. I would appreciate any input. I am NOT a body man, and it all looks like garbage to me, but it is amazing what can be done by the right hands. Thanks to anyone who can take a minute to have a look. Pictures are here:

http://www.putfile.com/piping_plover/images/106784

Here are a few, more in the album above:

[fishn4cuda]

A good shop willing to take the time can fix that.
I've fixed worse.

[matt63]

A good shop willing to take the time can fix that.
I've fixed worse.

Ditto.  If you pay a shop to fix it the cost may exceed the price of getting a better one.  If you do it yourself it's only your time (and skill)!

[rallyechall]

It depends on how much work you want to do. I have a fender on my car that was NOS, but it was hit in the lower rear below the body line. It was cut off just below the body line as it was too far gone to repair. Ther rest of the fender is great. A good lower piece, and the support could fix that fender just fine.

[Topcat]

Currently, I am in the process of mig welding two different sections together into one good quarter. I clamped them together real good so they are dead on overlapped and cut through both. As I cut, I spot welded behind what I cut. Then grind off weld after. It is coming out perfect so far and will not show since it is at the high corners.

In the middle areas you will require welding cooling putty to absorb heat to prevent any possible warpage. just layer it outside the weld area 2 inches away running down parrallel.

[rottenfish]

Thanks guys... the one I have on the car is totally gone. I picked up the replacement for ~$100, and I am hoping that I can get it fixed for less than a good replacement will cost. Based on what I have seen, a good fender can fetch several hundred dollars.

[willhaven]

Depending on the year, thousands.