Rotund Wonders – A Guide to ’35 – ’48 Fat Fender Street Rod Parts
Though maybe not as popular in hot rodding lore as earlier models like the Model T and A, Deuce, and ’33/’34-era cars, the fat fender years of American cars, generally including ’35– ’48 models, have always been integral parts of the hot rodding scene. And as countless rodders will attest, these larger-bodied rides make outstanding cruisers and street rods. The rounded, bulbous fenders look great dropped over wide whitewall tires, the interiors delivers a little more elbow room and greater cargo areas, and the styling of the cars and trucks combines Art Deco flair with swoopy, flowing stamped steel.
With those attributes in mind, there are a lot of different models to choose from when you decide to go fat. Fords and Chevys of course are the most popular, but daring to be different with a Buick, Plymouth, Hudson, Mercury or other brand can be a fun way to go, too, though they can be a bit more challenging. Theres’ been plenty of influential fat fenders over the years, and we still see plenty on the road and at shops. The Goodguys 2026 Grand Prize Giveaway ’40 Ford coupe built by Roseville Rod & Custom is one of the latest standout examples, and is sure to spawn more interest in these rotund rides.
The good news is that fat fender rods have been popular for long enough that the hot rod aftermarket offers a wide range of products to restore, improve, and update them. We gathered up some of the latest and most popular parts that will help get your fat fender cruiser dialed in and rolling strong. Take a look and we think you’ll agree that fat is where it’s at!
TANKS, Inc. – Get Tanked
Working on a 1941–48 Chevy? Save yourself the hassle of dealing with the stock gas tank by getting a new one from Tanks, Inc. Their tank even holds extra fuel (18-gallon capacity) and features internal baffles to support EFI systems (or carbs).
Each tank accepts a common five-bolt sending unit for the fuel gauge and is stamped from galvanized steel then powder coated silver for a clean, restored appearance. The 3/8-inch NPT internal pickup tube is in the stock location and if you’re running EFI, the fuel pump and sending unit are positioned in a recessed area at the front of the tank to ease connections while providing extra clearance. Mounting straps, gaskets, and hardware included.
Heinzman Street Rod Shop – Chassis Exchange
Heinzman Street Rod Shop offers a unique way to speed up the progress on your 1935-40 Ford project car with their Chassis Exchange program. That’s right, they’ll trade in your original frame for a ready-to-roll street rod chassis that will accept your drivetrain and body.
The pros at Heinzman will take in your sound original frame, media blast it, check that it’s straight, make any repairs, then update the chassis with a Heidts Mustang crossmember and A-arms, add spindles, springs, and a manual rack, along with engine mounts. The center X-member is modified to accept overdrive transmissions and parallel leaf springs are added in the rear along with a clean 8-inch Ford rearend and sway bars. More options are available to build the chassis you desire.
Dakota Digital – Modern Tech, Vintage Looks
Add a touch of modern technology with vintage looks to your WWII-era Ford or Mercury car with an RTX Series instrument upgrade from Dakota Digital. These gauges are styled after originals to retain the vintage flavor you want to see, but filled with modern technology, precision values, and the features you expect from Dakota Digital.
A casual glance at the RTX gauges may lead to people to think the gauges are original equipment, but once the ignition switch is turned on, the LED backlighting comes to life! A TFT message center can be fully configured to display just about any piece of information you’d like, from the complementary home screen layout to the user-configurable data group screens and colors.
Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs – Coilover Chassis
These old cars have been through a lot over the decades, so when it comes to a solid foundation, why not just cut to the chase and start with a new chassis? Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs offers a precision-engineered Coilover Chassis to slide right under your 1935–40 Ford.
Manufactured in Knoxville, Tennessee, every Scott’s chassis is built-to-order. Constructed from heavy-duty, American-made steel with fully TIG-welded crossmembers, the front end features Scott’s proven IFS with adjustable coil-overs to provide modern handling. The rear features an equal-length parallel four-bar system with coil-overs to deliver smooth ride quality. With Scott’s Hotrods, you’re not just upgrading suspension – you’re investing in a custom-built chassis that blends style with cutting-edge performance.
Vintage Air – Compact Cool and Heat
Vehicles from the fat fender era are not known for having a lot of space under the dash, so when it comes to an A/C system you’ll need to think compact. Vintage Air offers an updated Gen V version of its popular Compac system with an advanced electronically controlled climate control system designed to fit a wide variety of vehicles.
The molded case features a high-capacity coil and variable-speed blower to cool down the interior quickly. High-torque OEM stepper motor-controlled blend air doors create a consistent “just right” temperature. The Compac Kit includes mounting brackets, defrost ducts, wiring harness, and duct hose and is compatible with all Gen 5 Builder Series and SureFit control panel options
Johnson’s Radiator Works – Cool Running Classics
Cooling your fat fender ride should come with peace of mind, and Johnson’s Radiator Works has you covered. Johnson’s offers a large variety of 1935-48 radiators to bolt into different Chevy, Ford, or Mopar cars whether equipped with small- or big-block Chevy, Fords or of course, Flatheads, GM LS, and some LT engines.
Johnson’s radiators feature a four-row, 2.75-inch-thick copper core, with .040-inch deep-draw one-piece brass tanks along with half-inch brass tubes, all of which is manufactured and assembled in-house. Each radiator is designed as a stock replacement with heavy gauge galvanized steel brackets providing a simple bolt-in installation with no modifications needed. Available with A/C and/or an optional transmission cooler and backed by a five-year warranty.
Kugel Komponents – Experienced in IFS
Kugel Komponents has been building cutting-edge suspensions and street rod components since the early-’80s, including their own independent front suspensions. Their IFS systems have been engineered in-house from the inside out with all their own parts – and they have a knack for making them look as good as they perform.
Kugel points out that their IFS is not a Mustang II front end, as they make their own cast stainless spindle assemblies and manufacture their own A-arms. Their suspensions come complete with a crossmember, QA1 adjustable coil-overs, 11-inch vented rotors, Wilwood calipers, a steering rack, and sway bar. Available for any model fat fender you may be working on.
Powermaster – Looks Right, Works Right
If you’re running, or plan to run, a vintage Flathead in your fat fender rod, be sure to complete the classic look with a PowerGEN from Powermaster. The PowerGEN has the looks of the original generator, but with the internals of a modern alternator. This means no more dimming headlamps at stoplights or drooping charge gauges while sitting at an idle.
The PowerGENs feature one-wire charging capabilities and bolt right into the factory brackets for an easy installation. Plus, they only weigh a fraction of the factory generator thanks to the billet aluminum housing, while producing 65 amps at idle with 90-plus amps at top rpm. In short, they look right and work right.
Flat Out Engineering – Suspension with C4 Performance
Independent Front and Rear Suspension systems provide superior ride and handling capabilities that are just not achievable with straight axle suspensions. This is why Flat Out Engineering pioneered DIY installation kits specifically designed to fit 1935-40 Ford passenger cars.
Flat Out offers both front and rear kits that are designed to use readily available 1984–96 C4 Corvette suspension components. Their kits provide OEM-designed power rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel power disc brakes that are engineered to work together. Each kit is narrowed to fit the stock fenders with modern-sized rims and tires and set up for use with Aldan American’s adjustable coil-overs.
New Port Engineering – Wiper Motor Upgrades
When you run into a rainstorm on the road, a squeaky, slow wiper motor isn’t going to do you much good. In fact, it’s just not safe! We understand that windshield wipers are not something you tend to think about updating until you need them, but if you plan to roll that odometer, you best look up New Port Engineering.
New Port Engineering has focused on wiper motor technology for years and they’ve designed their two-speed Clean Wipe Wiper Drive as a direct bolt-in for a long list of vintage cars, even for 1946–48 Dodge and Plymouth models! This particular model replaces the factory vacuum motor and mounts in the stock position while using the stock linkage.
Total Cost Involved – Chevy IFS System
Total Cost Involved has been developing suspension systems and complete chassis for hot rods for more than 50 years. Not only is all this experience built into each suspension component, the company also backs it up with a dual warranty of six years or 60,000 miles on wear-and-tear items with a lifetime warranty on in-house built parts!
For Chevy enthusiasts, TCI’s Coil Spring IFS for 1937–48 Chevy cars is engineered for easy installation and enhanced drivability. The spring towers utilize a vertical metal plate for mounting the tubular upper control arms for easy camber/caster adjustments via shims. Tubular lower arms are supplied along with 2-inch drop spindles, urethane bushings, a manual rack, shocks, springs, 7/8-inch sway bar, and GM big-bore disc brakes.
Lecarra by Lokar – Classic Banjo Style
A banjo-style steering wheel looks just right in a fat fender rod. Lecarra, a division of Lokar, understands this combination and offers steering wheels with this classic design married with modern durability and quality in a 15-inch-diameter wheel.
Each Lecarra steering wheel is hand crafted at Lokar from heavy-duty stainless steel and billet aluminum with the precision and quality you demand. Style is felt and seen as each steering wheel is leather bound and hand stitched with your choice of 12 different color options. The stainless-steel spokes are attached to a billet aluminum hub and can be customized with a variety of horn button styles.
Summit Racing – Rings for Wheels
Simplicity, like stock-style steel wheels, is just the way to go on a classic fat fender rod. If you do go this route, Summit Racing can help you finish the details with a set of direct-fit Wheel Trim Rings.
Summit offers two styles of trim rings for 1940–41 and 1946–48 Fords in smooth or ribbed face. The rings are made from stainless steel and available for 15- or 16-inch stock style steel wheels. The polished trim rings simply snap in place and will instantly upgrade the look of your wheels and entire car with a touch of shine.
Classic Instruments – An Absolute Classic
When it comes to street rods, the ’40 Ford is one of the most popular models to build, but not just the car – hot rodders also just love the original instrument cluster. Classic Instruments offers a complete Direct-Fit ’40 Ford instrument package that combines the vintage style with modern functionality and accuracy.
Classic’s gauge set comes completely assembled, is available in four different designs, and ready to install. The electronic gauges are secured in an injection-molded ABS housing with LED lighting including green LED halo turn signals. Classic’s built-in ZST technology accepts any speed signal without the need for an extra interface and calibration is easy with the push of a button. The package is finished with a polished stainless-steel bezel and glass lens.
Speedway Motors – Fenderwell Fitment
If you’re building a fat fender Ford street rod or maybe a gasser-style rod with a classic small-block Chevy, Speedway Motors offers these great-looking headers to give your car just the right look. These headers fit Chevy 265–400c.i. small block V8s and are designed for optimum performance and fitment in a variety of 1935– 48 Fords.
The headers feature 1-5/8-inch long primary tubes that curve over the frame and through the fender wells. (Obviously, the inner fender panels require cutting!). Speedway offers the headers in a ceramic coated finish that will look great for years to come and reduce under-hood temps – also available in chrome or natural steel finishes. Supplied with 2-1/4-inch collectors, gaskets, and header bolts.
Flaming River – Electric Assist Steering
Flaming River offers a custom column program to integrate their Electric Power Assist Microsteer to virtually any of their columns. A custom column allows the user to find the perfect fit in their dash while simultaneously adding a boost of power assist to the steering feel.
A detailed measurement form starts the process and even enables you to select the clocking of the Microsteer to avoid interference with brake pedals. From the wire slot location to the overall length of your column, everything about this steering column is customizable to ensure that it is a perfect fit for your fat fender project. Give Flaming River your measurements and they take care of the rest!
Pete & Jakes – A-Frames and Suspensions
Today’s hot rods need to be able to handle modern roads and speeds while being safe and reliable. Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Parts understands the importance of designing quality parts with strength for the road. Not only do they offer a complete chassis for your 1935–48 project, but also proven front and rear suspension kits to install on your chassis.
Pete & Jakes Rear Coil-Over Suspension Kit features Viper alloy adjustable coil-over shocks that are available with different spring rates to dial-in for your specific build. The upper mounts weld onto the stock-style crossmember and the lower mounts have three vertical positions to help get the ride height just right.
Ididit – Steering Comfort
Do yourself a favor by having a plan to upgrade the spindly, worn-out steering column of your fat fender project. Ididit offers a number of columns featuring a comfortable eight-position tilt, in lengths from 12- to 35-inches or even custom lengths if needed.
Ididit’s universal floor shift columns feature self-canceling turn signals, four-way flashers, horn wiring, and their standard turn signal lever, tilt lever, and flasher knob. You can choose a column with an ignition key cylinder or one for use with a dash-mounted ignition switch. Each column has a 1969–94 GM-style upper shaft and 1-inch 48-spline shaft. Available in different finishes and custom applications are available.
Old Air Products – Cool Kits for Under the Dash
Looking for a way to add a lot more cool to the interior of your fat fender cruiser? Old Air Products offers an under-dash system that provides vintage street rod style, but with the efficiency and cooling capabilities of a modern A/C system.
The Old Air Products Underdash system features chrome ball louver outlets packaged in a housing with your choice of a brushed aluminum, carbon fiber, or engine-turned finish on the faceplate. Rotary switches control the temperature and fan speed. Old Air packs a high volume 32-pass coil to help provide maximum cooling performance. Available with A/C only, or with heat, as a complete system including a compressor, brackets, the condenser, and drier assembly plus hoses, or as just an Inside Package only.
Carrillo Customs – Straight Axle Drop
Looking to get your 1935-36 Ford a little lower? Carrillo Customs has done the hard work of putting together a kit that utilizes the factory Ford spring and stock wishbone combined with the best parts to get your fat ford to sit 3.5-inches lower in the front and still have good tire clearance.
The kit is based on their 4-inch dropped forged axle with custom machined bosses that bolt-in to the stock front wishbone. Two-inch wide drop shackles with built in shock studs pair with Carrillo’s unique upper shock mounts and bolt into the stock frame holes to provide adequate inner fender clearance. New forged ’39 spindles are reamed to fit fresh kingpins, while drop steering arms, tie rods, drag link and shocks complete the kit.
Steele Rubber – Fresh Seals for Fat Fenders
One key to enjoying time on the road in any classic cruiser is to block out interior wind noise and keep the outdoor weather out of your cabin. Steele Rubber Products has the parts you need with a full line of perfect-fitting rubber seals for fat fender applications, including this 4-Piece Front Door Weatherstrip Kit for the ’48 Chevrolet Fleetline.
This kit is supplied with the door edge weatherstrips with molded corners and the hinge post weather strip for both doors of your vintage Chevy. The seals are crafted from 100-percent EPDM sponge rubber for exceptional durability with UV protection ensuring longevity and proper sealing. Manufactured in the USA, Steele Rubber Products stands behind their parts with a 100-Percent Satisfaction Guarantee.
Heidts/Chassis Engineering – Rear Leaf Conversion
One of the first steps in getting your 1941-48 Ford to sit and ride better is update the rear suspension and Chassis Engineering, a division of Heidt’s, has an affordable and easy solution. The company’s Leaf Spring Rear End Mounting Kit is designed to bolt in with no modifications and even adds reinforcement to the frame.
The kit is supplied with CE-spec’d 2.5-inch-wide slider springs, front and rear hangers, shock mounts, shackles, U-bolts, and mounting hardware. This kit fits a wide variety of rearends such as those from 1968– 75 Novas or early Camaros with a width of about 58-inches from outside-to-outside of the drum depending on the offset of your wheel/tire combination.
Golden Star – New Bezels for Fords
Time is not always kind to our old cars and for those that are nine decades old, it’s nearly impossible to find useable trim or NOS parts. The good news is that there are plenty of enthusiast-driven aftermarket companies like Golden Star Classic Auto Parts that understand the need for a high-quality replacement parts that fit like factory pieces.
One such example of a small, detailed part that Golden Star has developed are these Headlight Bezels for 1935–39 Ford pickups. These bezels are direct placements crafted from OE-spec steel gauge and come ready to be installed. Golden Star offers a thick catalog of replacement sheet metal, trim, and panels to help with your project – give them a call.
Wise Guys Seats – Frames, Foam & Upholstered
One key to being comfortable on long drives in your fat fender rod is having the right seat. Springy, bouncy, and warped seats should be tossed immediately and replaced with a fresh, bolt-in seat from Wise Guys.
Wise Guys offers bolt-in bench or bucket frame assemblies for most fat fender applications. The frames are manufactured with 16-gauge steel then powder coated for corrosion resistance. They offer bench, split bench, and bucket styles with options such as 7-inch slides, adjustable risers, lumbar adjustments, 3-point belts, even heaters! Plus, you can order an upholstered seat that shows up ready to bolt-in.
Chevs of the ’40s – Fresh Floors
When it comes to sourcing hard-to-find parts and information on your fat fender Chevy, dial up the Vancouver, Washington-based experts at Chevs of the ’40s. The name pretty much says it all as Chevs of the ’40s has been focused on restoration and hot rod parts for 1937–54 Chevys for more than four decades.
It’s a safe bet that most fat fender Chevys could use some new sheet metal floor panels and Chevs has you covered with fresh steel stamped toe boards, floor panels, and transmission panels formed of OE-grade steel panels. They also offer firewalls with setbacks for small- and big-blocks, and a variety of body panels to help get your vintage Chevy rust-free and solid again.
