Need help with fender flares

[Vette 76]

Hi, I am rebuilding a 72 454 roadster and was needing help in finding sources for fender flares. I want to use a minimum of a 10" rear rim, possibly even as much as a 12". How much room will offset trailing arms allow me next to the inner fender well? I have room to cut or do just about anything needed to modify for wider tires at this point because I have just completed a conversion from the original 72 coupe to make it into a convertible. I had 68 and 75 convertible rear clips that I used for the correct parts. Ecklers has been the only place I have found flares but they only have one size. How much flare do I need? I also want to put in a plug for this forum. You folks are great! This is my second vette to rebuild and you folks have been wonderful each time I have had a technical question. It is an honor to be a part of this corvette community. Thanks, Vette 76

 

[69MyWay]

My flares are ACI brand. TZracer ordered them for me. I don't know where he got them from. He also ordered a set for his 71, and I am in the process of putting those on that car.

There is another brand out there that includes part of the quarter panel in the flare kit. I don't like this one as much as it is a more harsh angle on the flare. The ones I have allow you to contour and flow the flare as desired to make it almost look OEM.

I also added wheel well lips to mine using the cut out edges from the stock fenders and adding a little here and there.

You can see more details under

www.tropiczoneracing.com click on his race car, then look to the left for the Street Vette photos. You can get an idea of what I had to cut and fit to get the rear ones on his car.

 

[Vette 76]

reply to 69MyWay

Thanks so much!! The pics were really helpful. Looks similar to my shop floor right now. What size tires is he going to put on the 71? I would be very interested in buying a set of flares. How would I get info about ACI products ? Do they have a web site or phone #? The quarterpanel flares you refered to are the ones listed in ecklers. I have the same opinion of them you do and was looking for some that could have a resemblance to a wide yet close to stock appearance.

 

[ChrisH]

My '68 has flares very similar to what was on the GM test Vette ot '68/69 also the factory race vettes of that era. Approx. 4" on the back, 2"front. I measured and came up with I could put an 11" wheel with 4" backspacing. Now mine has stock trailing arms and I'm not sure but I think offset trailing arms will give you an additional 1.5". I bought my car about two years ago with these flares already on it but the wheels it had did not fill up the flares. So early this spring I started wheel shopping and found finding wheels with the dimentions I needed(also had to be able to clear the brake calipers) were hard to find. What I was looking for were aftermarket wheels that would look period correct for the car(late sixties/early seventies, like Torq-thrusts, Coke-bottle five spoke's, Slots, etc.). I went with a set of Slots from U.S. Wheel wheels measuring 10.5" with 3.375"backspacing for the back and 8.5" with 3.375" backspacing up front. Tires are 295 50's back, 245 60's front, BF Goodrich TA Radials. I bought the wheels from a vintage wheel dealer AKH Wheels, they came highly polished, new center caps, shipping for $944.. I'm very pleased with how they look and fill up the flares. I wish I knew how to post a picture so you could see for yourself. I could probably figure out how if your interested. Hope this helps!

 

[69MyWay]

Re: reply to 69MyWay

Thanks so much!! The pics were really helpful. Looks similar to my shop floor right now. What size tires is he going to put on the 71? I would be very interested in buying a set of flares. How would I get info about ACI products ? Do they have a web site or phone #? The quarterpanel flares you refered to are the ones listed in ecklers. I have the same opinion of them you do and was looking for some that could have a resemblance to a wide yet close to stock appearance.

I think he is going to run the same thing as me.

I am running 18x12 on the rear with a 5" offset, and a 18x9.5 on the front with a 4.5" offset. You can see more on my homepage www.mcspeed.com

I'm very pleased with how they look and fill up the flares. I wish I knew how to post a picture so you could see for yourself. I could probably figure out how if your interested. Hope this helps!

As far as posting pictures, there are two quick and easy ways to do it. When you start a new thread, look below the message text of the box where it says Attach file on the left side, then there is the Browse button. Click on the browse button and select a photo from your hard drive or disc. It must meet the size requirements (65,000 bytes). If too large, you can edit your photo to make it fit.

Then, if you are using a photo off the web, click on the IMG tab above the text box. When the URL line pops up, copy and paste your full URL address for the image in that spot. Back up and delete the http:/ line that is automatically filled into that pop up box.

That should do it. I would love to see some pics of that

 

[Vette 76]

Reply to 69MyWay & ChrisH

Your vette is truly awesome!:BOW Did you need an adapter to convert from 15" to 18" wheels? What brand are your tires? Also, Where can I go to purchase the rear flares? ChrisH: Your vette sounds really cool as well. I would love to see some pics if you can post some.

 

[69MyWay]

Re: Reply to 69MyWay & ChrisH

Your vette is truly awesome!:BOW Did you need an adapter to convert from 15" to 18" wheels? What brand are your tires? Also, Where can I go to purchase the rear flares? ChrisH: Your vette sounds really cool as well. I would love to see some pics if you can post some.

No adapter needed.

Contact www.hvydeez.com and ask for Dave or Lynn. Tell them I sent you. Wheels are expensive, but well worth the overall value.

I am running Michilen 275 35 18 front 315 30 18 rear.

 

[Vette 76]

69MyWay: Where can I order flares?

I went to TZracer's web site and looked at the flare install pics you did. Really professional looking job. I am at that point in my 72 rebuild and would like to order a set of flares. Could you tell me how to find ACI products or how I could get in touch with someone who could get me that info. Thanks, Vette 76