Front Clip

[MacQuigley]

Guy's,

Im new to the forum and American vehicles and I have to ask what may be a silly question.

I have seen and heard the term Front Clip being used and in some cases the reference is in regards front suspension and in some the front end ie wing and grill assembly.

What exactly is the Front Clip?

Bill

[PGSigns]

Term is used both ways. When used discussing the front suspension its usually used to indicate the entire cross member and components bolted to it. When used to talk body parts its usually the front sheet metal from the firewall forward.
Jimmy

[MacQuigley]

That makes perfect sense. I just couldn't understand why it seemed to be used for 2 different things. I was beginning to think someone (probably me) was losing it!

[creep]

That doesn't mean you AREN'T losing your mind.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by MacQuigley

That makes perfect sense. I just couldn't understand why it seemed to be used for 2 different things. I was beginning to think someone (probably me) was losing it!

Oh you haven't even gotten the half of it yet;

American English uses the same word for MANY different things...
On top of that, Automotive Hobbyists in general have overlap in meaning from vehicle-to-vehicle.

So when you combine American Automotive Hobbyist English...well, it just gets plain weird.


The actual use of "clip" came in the late 50's from when wrecking yards would saw cars in half, and you could (and still can) buy a whole front half of a car. Guys would do this to get better suspension, engine, and even frame components from a newer/better vehicle for WAY less than the cost to make or buy those parts seperately. This use of the term was commonplace by the 1960's when guys would buy Camaro "front clips" for example.. to get power steering, disc brakes, and even the high output motors.

Now at the same time (late 50's) the world of drag racing started to see huge leaps and bounds in technology and the aftermarket that started to come with it. By the 60's, Fiberglass body panels and altered wheelbase cars meant tons of front-tilt and lift-off panels. The front ends of these dragsters could be "unclipped" from toggles or pins and removed to service the race car. Thusly "removing the front clip".

Over the years, its just become based on the context of its use. If your ordering a Mustang II suspension that comes with frame rails and everything attached, it might be listed as a Front Clip.

If your looking to remove the front body panels, you'd search "removing front clip" here on the forum.

Clear as mud?



On a side note about American terminology vs British (UK) terminology and having the same word mean 2 different parts;

Originally Posted by MacQuigley

That makes perfect sense. I just couldn't understand why it seemed to be used for 2 different things. I was beginning to think someone (probably me) was losing it!

Originally Posted by MacQuigley

the front end ie wing and grill assembly

A wing is the thing that goes on the back of a car for downforce...the things over your wheels are fenders UK English strikes again.

'S RIOGHAL MO DHREAM