Like Carrera Sans Rocker Panels?

jyl · jyl's Garage

I've been driving my car (89 Carrera) without the rocker panels lately. Yes, I've been too lazy to reinstall them. Anyway, I'm sort of liking the look. Does anyone run their cars this way? Opinions on the aesthetics?

JTO · 09-22-2003, 07:48 AM

I saw my '75 this weekend without rocker panels and thought in looked cleaner. I thought the same thing you did; should I remove them for good?

Troy

Hetmann · 09-22-2003, 08:04 AM

Post some pics.

IROC · IROC's Garage

I took the rockers off of my car years ago and haven't looked back.

Mine's the orange car....

Mike

724doorE · 09-22-2003, 08:08 AM

Souk runs his white 76 that way, looks great. It'll look better when he gets a longer hood and fenders

masraum · 09-22-2003, 08:20 AM

Many people do run without. I'm curious to see pictures since I've thought about stripping them off of mine, but haven't yet. The torsion bar hole on our cars appear different than the earlier cars, but without taking the covers off I can't tell for sure what it does look like. Keep it like that. Less weight after all.

89911 · 09-22-2003, 08:40 AM

Unless your planing to fill/repaint the lower portion of your car, I can't see how having a series of holes and unusual sheet metal would improve the look. Plus, what are you going to to with the long piece of metal that hold the black rubber strip? On a repaint maybe, but just removing them isn't the answer, at least for me.

thrown_hammer · 09-22-2003, 08:55 AM

Rocker covers do nothing but add weight and keep your oil lines hot. Ditch 'em. Souks car looks good. My '73 runs without as well.

RoninLB · 09-22-2003, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
Unless your planing to fill/repaint the lower portion of your car, I can't see how having a series of holes and unusual sheet metal would improve the look.

ditto

Rot 911 · 09-22-2003, 09:24 AM

Here's a pic of Souk's '76:

CarreraS2 · 09-22-2003, 09:28 AM

I think it looks good on certain cars under certain conditions.

First, you gotta fill in the holes! If not, I say put the rockers back on. Those holes are really rough and ugly.

Second, I think it looks really good on the early cars, or on the big bumper cars with aftermarket, smooth bumpers. For some reason, I don't really like the look of the rockers removed, but the big bumpers/rubber accordians, etc. still in place. Accentuates the heavy look of the front and rear. The rockers help minimize that heavy look, and help tie the front and rear together on big bumper cars, IMO.

KTL · 09-22-2003, 09:35 AM

I'm on the fence about this one. My car looks rather silly because of what Steve said. The G50s look weird because the area around the torsion bar hole is covered by a plate which looks kinda bad (plate installed or not ) when the rocker covers are removed. Black cars look better because you can't see all the holes from a distance. Red cars like mine look a little goofy and resemble a "work in progress" car.

I have a picture of my car with the rockers removed and the phone dials installed. I'll post it later. Looks odd.

Here's something that more people oughta do:

(oops wrong picture)

Dump those monster black pimples and save yourself some weight (they weight waaaaaaaay more than the rocker covers)! Okay, so your license plate isn't illuminated anymore. Big deal.

KTL · 09-22-2003, 09:38 AM

Try that again

MotoSook · 09-22-2003, 09:40 AM

Sans "rockier" c'est the route d'alez! (is that good enough for rusty Francais?)

My car needs to be lowered yet, and the SC flares will be welded on this winter. But, if you can overlook some screw hoses (which you can fill and paint over) the naked look is the way to go. Now my impact bumpers look out of place

There are plugs in the holes on the rocker. My were clear, and I left them off (they add weight!..maybe a few grams

)

I'll properly fill and plug when the flares go on and the painting starts!

MotoSook · 09-22-2003, 09:42 AM

Hey Kevin..there is a water spot on the right quarter! Quick was the whole car

Heheheh!

KTL · 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
Hey Kevin..there is a water spot on the right quarter! Quick was the whole car Heheheh!

Walked right into that one, didn't I?

Contrary to popular belief, my car's paint is pretty crappy. Sure it shines, but the finish and depth are pitiful. The hood's got more road rash than i'd care to admit. These 911's kill bugs like no car i've ever seen!

Anywho, here Souk claims that he's all about saving weight with a few grams from some silly plastic paint plugs. And then what do I see in Kurt's picture? His car's wearing center caps!!!!! Plus they're painted which adds even more weight!!! What's wrong with you? You gettin' bit by the bling bug or what???

Dude. Until you start dumping stuff like center caps (that's precious UNSPRUNG weight!!!) and those God awful rear bumper guards? I'm not sure I can be your friend anymore................

RoninLB · 09-22-2003, 09:51 AM

I wonder if no rear license light is a ticket waiting to happen?

cowtown · 09-22-2003, 09:53 AM

MotoSook · 09-22-2003, 09:53 AM

Oh no my friend..the rubber butt plugs are coming off before the next DE and the center caps are screen prints...minimal weight.

In the end all everything below the fender line will come off for very light fiberglass parts!

Now that I have gotten my shot in on Kevin for the day, back on topic:

As Brian K stated, the rockers add to the impact bumpers, but if you have aftermarket bumpers, TAKE the rocker covers off! Kevin, get that CTR bumper on man! And leave the rocker covers off!

MotoSook · 09-22-2003, 09:55 AM

Colin that looks GREAT! Very nice...now go out to the garage and take the rocker covers off that you installed not too long ago! What are your ride heights?