A fender (2) for absorbing forces generated from an impact includes a depending attachment flange (4,5) which comprises a vertically aligned section (4) depending from an exterior portion of the fender (2) and a horizontally aligned section (5) depending from the vertically aligned section (4) adapted for mounting to a vehicle wherein the vertically aligned section (4) includes at least one contoured portion (10) for enhancing the stiffness of the vertically aligned section (4).