Can you remove flares on early cars

[curlesw]

This is probably a silly question, but here goes.

I have seen quite a few early cars for sale with flares added to them, either SC or turbo. Is there any way to remove the flares and return them to their original look? If so, is it any more difficult than adding SC or turbo flares.

The reason I ask is I'm looking for a project car and some of the cars with added flares look absolutely hideous. If the rest of the car is good, then maybe one could get an exceptional deal albeit with some extra work.

Is this possible and if so, is it worth it?

Wayne C.
83 SC

[Joe Bob]

Sure....you just need the donor pieces to put back in....

[jhelgesen]

I have a set of early flares if you need them.....

[curlesw]

Thanks for the quick response.

John, can you PM with the details? Thanks.

Wayne C.
83 SC

[Joe Bob]

If you are going to cut out the wide frares and they are steel....send me some pics....

[curlesw]

Originally posted by mikez
If you are going to cut out the wide frares and they are steel....send me some pics....

Will do...

[Jack Olsen]

In your shoes, I'd consider cars with 'RS style' flares, whether they're actual RS, SC or Carrera pieces that have been used. If someone's added RSR flares, you're going to have more than double the work to undo it, since with the 'RS style' only the rear flares are changed. And keep in mind, you'll need not just flares, but also an unflared rear bumper (and a front one, too, with an RSR).

Also be aware that the wheels used on RS and RSR clones won't usually fit when you go back to skinny.

I've got a nice skinny steel rear bumper, if you end up needing one.

[curlesw]

Thanks, that's good info. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. I have not seen it in person, but it's basically a tub...add new front and rear bumpers, new front fenders, and cut out the rear flares. All this assumes rust is not an issue.

I've seen some decent prices on cars with uncommon/unique modifications that if your plan is a complete restoration project, this might be the way to go.

Wayne C.
83 SC

[Joe Bob]

That's a slant nose....

[Jack Olsen]

In the case of that car, you'd also want to check to see what they did to allow the short hood to latch. It could be that a later car's front clip was welded onto it.

Unless that's an S with the correct drivetrain intact, it's hard to imagine that being an exceptional deal. The cost of the original parts (like door pockets, dashes, seats, steel body parts -- even the hood badge is a $400 item, now) would put you upside-down pretty quickly if you were trying to create the kind of T that sells for more than 20K.

If it's an S, then things start to look better.

[curlesw]

Mike, yes, thought I could repalce fenders and bumpers and be done. Are there other mods/components that would need to be replaced?

Jack good point on the latch. Also, I just assumed I would end up being upside down on this whole restoration thing once finished. Looking for the "experience" and a "car to keep" I guess.

Wayne C.

[curlesw]

And it suppose to be a 69...

Wayne C.

[Jack Olsen]

If it's for the experience, and not for profit, then I think we would all thank you for bringing that poor car back from its particular slantnose-early-Targa-with-an-accordion-bumper-in-front circle of hell.