flare opinions sought...

lateapex911 · 03-06-2003, 09:46 PM

I have a '73E with the standard body. A bit narrow in the back. The engine has become a 2.7 in RS trim, kinda, putting out just a hair over 200. Front bumper is the "S" style. The car has been stipped of all it's trim and the holes filled so that frees things up a bit.

Ok, there is some paint damage over the rr wheel so I will have to a little spraying in the future, and I always say, "While I'm here"......(this little saying has caused me to plunge into the full restoration of a '67 Camaro SS RS convertible when the initial job was to replace the windsheild to get it through state inspection, but that's another tale..!)

Aaaaaaaany way....I've always disliked the rear bumpers, bumperettte things, and the panel that covers the muffler where the plate mounts. Seems to me that it looks a bit disjointed.

Now, I'm not a slave to originality, but I would like whatever I wind up with to look appropriate for the year. No biwings and undertrays, in other words!

Jack Olsen had some good looking parts onn his old '72, and he's been helpful in supplying his parts sources.
My questions are:
- what are the different flares available? Not concerned with 10"ers here, but what wheel tire combo fits what flare?
-Then, what bumpers match them?
-And....ducktail? No tail? are there different versions of the duck tail? I think I remember that there are two, but not positive...

And are there any other designs that might be better looking?

Thanks for all the ideas and, hopefully, opinions!!!!

thrown_hammer · 03-07-2003, 02:44 AM

I have a '73T with some of the body mods you are asking about. I have the S front bumper with SC rear flares and an RS rear bumper. Also have a ducktail. I think the ducktail is the only way to go on an early car if you want a spoiler. Some of the Racer guys will have more info on tire fitment. You can see the car at my website link below.
Hope this helps.

Slider79SC · Slider79SC's Garage

Apex, sent you a PM.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Basicly there are 2 sizes of rear flare commonly used

The 9" SC/Carrera flare which can comfortably fit 225/45 - 265/40 tires on 8-9" rims and can be made to fit up to 275/40 on 10" wheels. These flares look best w/ the stock 69-89 front 6" flare fenders.

Then there are the 11" 930 flares where you can go really crazy w/ wheels and tires, 335/35 or so seems to be the limit here. These flare will need to have matching 9" front flared fenders to look good.

If you want an even racier look then 934 style tack on flares can accomodate even larger sizes.

Jbabic · Jbabic's Garage

http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/jbabic/

lateapex911 · 03-07-2003, 07:22 PM

Thanks guys...very educational! Nice pics, too! But I think I must be blind, 'cause I don't see the link for Thrown Hammer.

Well, it's safe to say that the SC/Carera flares will fill the bill, as I have no intentions of puttuing in the horspower that would need ten inch rims.!

So, the RS rear bumper is the matching unit? Any thoughts on a good source? Used? Aftermarket?

Also, will I need to make any rocker mods or is it just a little body massaging?

I'm starting to jones to do this!

thrown_hammer · 03-10-2003, 02:33 AM

Jake,
Its the little "www" button at the bottom. Where it says profile,pm,www,search,buddy.

lateapex911 · 03-10-2003, 06:13 PM

I am so blind!

. Nice car- I take it you are removing the red full width bumper and retro fitting the seperate RS bumpers? I think that is about right for mine as well, but I'd like to look into the center panel Jack Olsen had on his BB1 car.

What is the proper technique for adding flares? Lap weld? Butt weld?

Thanks-

Zeke · 03-10-2003, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lateapex911

What is the proper technique for adding flares? Lap weld? Butt weld?

Thanks-

That is surely going to raise a friendly debate. I just recently examined a '76 with lap welds. I found the undeside of the fender to be nicely done. It is a place for water to enter and cause problems, IMO. A bigger lap will provide the area for bonding, a newer technique. If you get the bonding agent to ooze out everywhere, then presumably water can't get back in. Lastly, I had the priviledge of examining at North American Porsche Racing ( I don't think I ever get the name correct, but you know the place that is directed by Alwin Springer of Andial fame) what I believed to be a factory race car (911) of the early years. This car was a recently painted body shell, all steel, and the metal work was all butt welded. Lots of skill involved but fewer long term problems, I would think.

lateapex911 · 03-10-2003, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeke
That is surely going to raise a friendly debate. .........
...................what I believed to be a factory race car (911) of the early years. This car was a recently painted body shell, all steel, and the metal work was all butt welded. Lots of skill involved but fewer long term problems, I would think.

I was afraid that would end up being the "right" way to go!

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Butt weld always! A lap weld although easier to do tends to trap moisture between the panels and where it will eventually rust. Also lap welds require more body filler to transition the added thickness of material.