types of rear flares

[kent olsen]

Years ago when I first repainted my 72 I thought about adding some rear flares. Since I only had a 2.7L i didn't think I needed them. Then years later I built my twin plug 3.0L and with some weight reduction I have 9:1 power/weight (crank HP).

I don't have any issues during a track day, maybe I've learnt to drive her after about 7 years with this engine.

Now retired and just playing with my cars I'm thinking of rear flares. I've seen some different styles but don't know one from another.

Any pictures/names would be appreciated.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by kent olsen

Years ago when I first repainted my 72 I thought about adding some rear flares. Since I only had a 2.7L i didn't think I needed them. Then years later I built my twin plug 3.0L and with some weight reduction I have 9:1 power/weight (crank HP).

I don't have any issues during a track day, maybe I've learnt to drive her after about 7 years with this engine.

Now retired and just playing with my cars I'm thinking of rear flares. I've seen some different styles but don't know one from another.

Any pictures/names would be appreciated.

The most common for you purposes is the SC/Carrera flare which can accommodate up to ~9.5" wheel and ~275mm section width tire

The original '73 RS flare was slightly different from the later SC/Carrera flare which was standardized ~ 1975+/- a year

This is an original 1973 RS




1974 Carrera




1976 Carrera



1987 Carrera


1979 SC


Beyond that is the 930 flares front and rear which can accomodate up to ~9 & 11" wheels and ~245 & 315mm section width tires

[kent olsen]

Thanks
Boy there is a subtle difference. Some are tighter or flater across the top. I imagine tire size makes a difference as well. Mine are 205 X 50 X 15 on 15 X7 inch rims.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by kent olsen

Thanks
Boy there is a subtle difference. Some are tighter or flater across the top. I imagine tire size makes a difference as well. Mine are 205 X 50 X 15 on 15 X7 inch rims.

As I said they were standardized sometime around 1974
before that they were subtly different after all the same

The most obvious is the wider flat perimeter area on the early version vs narrower flat on the later version.

All accommodate the same wheels, the main reason to go w/ an SC/Carrera flare is to be able to use 8 to 9.5" wheels, go to ST rear (intermediate between SC/Carrera and 930/RSR fronts are the same as 930/RSR flares) for up to 10 and 930/RSR for up to 11


No work other than shaving or folding is usually done in front w/ SC/Carrera

Usually SC/Carrrera will use 7 or 8" front wheels and 8 or 9" rear wheels w/ 205 to 245 front and 225 to 275 rear tires.

If you want to you would probably move the 7" rears to the front and purchase 8 to 9.5 for the back, tires would likely be 205/225 or 225/245 but do look into the availability of tires before making any decisions, tire choice is very limited, there are some good selections available but it will depend on what you want in a tire.

[Matt Monson]

I don't remember the exact number but somewhere around the first 105 1974 Carrera got the 73 RS flare and then it was standardized.

[blucille]

A bit of warning, based on the look of your car currently, both the authentic UK minilites and the repros seem to push the wheels outboard, so if you are trying to maximize tire contact patch, you’ll likely be better off with something other than the minilite look.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I don't remember the exact number but somewhere around the first 105 1974 Carrera got the 73 RS flare and then it was standardized.

I believe that's correct
here is the '74 Carrera I posted above w/ the later narrower flat flare



and here is an early '74 Carrera w/ the earlier wider flat flare

[kent olsen]

Thanks all

Front and rear are 15 X 7 and I have been on those Superlites for near 10 years. Also the tires are 205 X 50 Yokohama Advan. They have an 8" thread on the 7" rim. I've run them for years and they are awesome on this light car on the track (2200 lbs). I'm corner balanced with a modest amount of negative camber.

My idea was a little more than the stock fender flare, I don't like the big rear flares, would add a little to the look and allow maybe an 8" rim and 9" thread

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by kent olsen

Thanks all

Front and rear are 15 X 7 and I have been on those Superlites for near 10 years. Also the tires are 205 X 50 Yokohama Advan. They have an 8" thread on the 7" rim. I've run them for years and they are awesome on this light car on the track (2200 lbs). I'm corner balanced with a modest amount of negative camber.

My idea was a little more than the stock fender flare, I don't like the big rear flares, would add a little to the look and allow maybe an 8" rim and 9" thread

for an 8" ET~11+/- rear wheel you'd want an 225/40, 45 or 50 tire, these will have ~8" tread width
for a 9 or 9.5" ET15+/- or 19 exactly wheel you'd want a 245/40 or 45 tire, these will have ~8.5 to 9.5" tread width

as the width goes up the wiggle room on ET goes down

[kent olsen]

Well it was just an idea.

I can actually find the wheels in 15 X 8, they are more available now than when I first purchased them.

My Yoko Advan Neoa tires for 15" are only available in 205 X 50, then you have to go up to 16-17" which I'll not do especially since I just picked these four up not 6 months ago. Putting the same tires on a wider rim doesn't make much sense.

Then if I did go with the addition of a little bit of flare the tires might look to small in the fender well.

So much for that. Thanks for your input Bill. Hope you have a nice Christmas.