ZL1 Fender Flare Lovers

[Tom Bryant]

This one's for you.

For a couple more pictures of this car click here---------> X

Tom

 

[Stallion]

Is this an LT1 flare, or L88? I didn't even know LT1 had flares, or some so defined such as that. But I have seen L88s like that.

 

[matchframe]

You are right, LT 1 did not flare the wheels like that, those are ZL 1 flares.

 

[Stallion]

Yes, ZL1 did go out like that. But so does L88. So defined, I don't know.

 

[Tom Bryant]

The flares were originally sold as individual pieces through the old Heavy Duty Operations Parts list that was just a supplement to P&A 30A (multi line passenger car parts and accessories manual). This was way back before there was a Chevy Power Manual or GM Performance Parts catalog.

They were listed under Corvette and the nomenclature was simply FLARE (Fender L. Frt.) and so on for the other 3 corners. Part numbers were 3958681 through 4. They were a parts dept only item and never came installed on any Corvette from St. Louis.
They were commonly called L88 flares or ZL1 flares by the general public and the ZL1 name seemed to stick more when the aftermarket started copying them and selling them through their catalogs.

Tom

 

[Tom73]

They were commonly called L88 flares or ZL1 flares by the general public and the ZL1 name seemed to stick more when the aftermarket started copying them and selling them through their catalogs.

Just a technical point for fun. Only two ZL1s were produced. Neither have flares. So don't think it right to call them ZL1 flares since those never existed

tom...

 

[Stallion]

Just a technical point for fun. Only two ZL1s were produced. Neither have flares. So don't think it right to call them ZL1 flares since those never existed

tom...

Hmmmm..I thought those two ZL1s did have flares.

 

[jonstr]

Hmmmm..I thought those two ZL1s did have flares.

Nope. As Tom mentioned, the flares did not come from the factory installed on any Corvette. The owner/dealer could order and install them, but whether or not they are "correct" today depends on your definition of "correct". Neither of the ZL-1s in existence have the flares on them today, however either or both may have had them installed early in their lives. If memory serves, the white ZL-1 was drag raced extensively by it's original owner, so it may have had the flares installed to allow for more meat in the rear at one time.

Later,
Jonstr

 

[MaineShark]

If I can introduce a side-topic: does anyone have pictures that show other styles of flares? I know there are a number of different styles available, but I haven't seen good pictures to compare them.

Joe

 

[Stallion]

Hmmm...I'm not so sure there are styles so much, but different degrees of how far it comes out. Mid-America sells them, if you are interested.

TR

 

[MaineShark]

There are different styles. Some are square, like those. Some are very tapered. Some are in-between.

Joe

 

[Stallion]

So you are looking to put on some fender flares, Joe? They look nice. What kind of wheels are you going to throw in there? What size? You have a lot of lee-way (sp?) when you put on the flares.

Good luck!!

I see you posting a lot, seems like you are doing a lot of work and rennovation on the Vette. Good luck with everything and I'm sure it'll turn out great.

TR

 

[69autoXr]

The squared off flares, as shown above, are not the original type flare that GM offered. The original style had a much more rounded blend into the body. Both my car and 69MyWay's have the original L-88 flares, and I think 69dream's car as well. I have read (but cannot confirm, I'm too young to know) that the flares were included when you bought an L-88, but they came in the trunk.
The squared off design are sold by Eckler's (and probably others) and they call them "ZL-1" flares. If you look in the Eckler's catalog at the pictures, you can see that the ZL-1 flares are actually molded into large panels which extend very far into the fenders and quarter panels. The L-88 flares consist of just the flare which is bonded onto the existing fender and quarter panel.

 

[69autoXr]

a rear shot

 

[69autoXr]

from the front left

 

[Tom Bryant]

The squared off flares, as shown above, are not the original type flare that GM offered. The original style had a much more rounded blend into the body. Both my car and 69MyWay's have the original L-88 flares, and I think 69dream's car as well. I have read (but cannot confirm, I'm too young to know) that the flares were included when you bought an L-88, but they came in the trunk.
The squared off design are sold by Eckler's (and probably others) and they call them "ZL-1" flares. If you look in the Eckler's catalog at the pictures, you can see that the ZL-1 flares are actually molded into large panels which extend very far into the fenders and quarter panels. The L-88 flares consist of just the flare which is bonded onto the existing fender and quarter panel.

You are absolutely right Chris. I kept thinking the back of that car didn't look right. Road racers are known to extend or enlarge flares to cut down on water spray in the rain and the aftermarket has taken liberties with the design to make them easier to install or "inprove" their appearance (in their minds).

You are also correct that the flares came in the rear of the car at delivery, at least according to everything I have read over the years. If I am right I don't think this was available in '68. I think the parts were introduced in '69. One reason why the ZL1 name stuck.

BTW Your car looks awesome. I have several pictures of racers in this alblum if you want to compare flare style. I just loaded the pics and haven't had time to edit them or add captions yet. You will need to register to see them. It is a free site by Sony. Click index for a faster load with 10 thumbnails at a time.

Tom

 

[MaineShark]

So you are looking to put on some fender flares, Joe? They look nice. What kind of wheels are you going to throw in there? What size? You have a lot of lee-way (sp?) when you put on the flares.

Maybe someday. I'm not really sure where I'll go with this car. It's sort of a "I'll figure it out as I go along" experience. I don't think they will be necessary, but maybe...

On the other hand, I'd have to be looking for some pretty aggressive tires, since offset trailing arms will allow 2" of extra width. So I'd have to be looking for wheels larger than 10" (and wider-than-300 tires) before I would really consider flares. If I go a bit overboard, though... maybe flares are in my future

Good luck with everything and I'm sure it'll turn out great.

Thanks. I'm figuring it out as I go along. I'm sure I'll end up spending more money, that way, but it's a learning experience.

69autoXr: Very nice...

Joe

 

[Vette 76]

Flares question Help!!

After corresponding with TZ racer and 69 myway some months ago I bought my ZL-1 flares from ACI. They make them very close to the original design. However, I had to cut out the rear flared areas of my old fender wells and intend to mold them into the new flares in order to get back to a more "correct" look on my 72 454 vert. as the ZL-1 flares are for a 68-9. My question is this. What type of adhesive should I use to attach the fiberglass flared area of the old fenders to the new style material that the ZL-1 fenders are made of. I thought I better stop and ask before I continued. I have the old style adhesive I bought from ecklers. Any ideas folks?:confused Vette 76

 

[69autoXr]

I would think you would use fiberglass mat and resin.

 

[Vette 76]

Flare question

I have used mat and resin extensively with the old style fiberglass. However these flares are smooth almost plastic in appearance. Will the matt and resin mold both types together or should I use a small bonding seam on the inner well with the old style bonding adhesive? Thanks, Vette 76