1940 Pontiac deluxe 6 question

[Gerty the Gremlin]

So, I’m working on painting and restoring my 1940 Pontiac Deluxe 6.  I’m in the process of removing the front fenders when I noticed that the fenders have a cutout for the 1939 style headlights but that has been roughly cut out and the 1940 style lights have been installed.  
 

was it a common thing for Pontiac or GM, to re-purpose parts from previous years like that?

[1939_Buick]

If "roughly cut out" would not be GM.

A repair sometime in the last 83 years. At some time in history your car may have been worth $25-$50-$100 at best.

Edited November 9, 2023 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[Bloo]

I have heard of "using parts up" stories told about GM, but mostly in the 20s. I agree with @1939_Buick that they would not have "rough cut out" fenders to use them up. In the mid 30s, there were so many mid year changes at Pontiac it is hard to even follow. Some make sense, but a lot of these seem to be the opposite, where they designed new parts and changed something in the middle of a model year for no obvious benefit.

 

[28 Chrysler]

Are the 39/40 interchangeable? It may be an old repair from an accident.

[Pfeil]

34 minutes ago, 28 Chrysler said:

Are the 39/40 interchangeable? It may be an old repair from an accident.

1940 is a slightly bigger and wider car than 1939.