DC Townsend David Townsend Vermont (406 posts) Registered: 11/21/2007 12:22PM Main British Car: '78 B (almost done) 30-over SBF, dry sump |
Radiused My Wheel Wells
With apologies to Dave Craddock, I love my Sebring kit (even though I lust for a new one), but never cared for how the wheel wells were done so I decided to change them to look more 'stock'. A funny term to use considering the level of modification this car has been subjected to.
I started by marking my cut line 3/4" from the outside edge of the fender. Originally I planned to curve it around the bottom but after I made the initial cut, decided it would look better taken all the way to the bottom. I used a cut off wheel to trim away the excess fiberglass, then finished the edge with a 120 grit disc. I radiused the front part of fender a while back so the trim edge now goes all the way around the wheel well. To my eye, it just looks better and, in any case, it's a done deal. Going to do the rears as well. |
DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1366 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Radiused My Wheel Wells
I don't think that Dave means for that big lip to remain either.
I would suspect that its there to provide the maximum versatility for the kit. Trimming it makes for a more professional look and I would guarantee that, that was the intention from the start. Regardless, your work on the fender looks great and I'd be proud of it. Cheers Fred |
DC Townsend David Townsend Vermont (406 posts) Registered: 11/21/2007 12:22PM Main British Car: '78 B (almost done) 30-over SBF, dry sump |
Re: Radiused My Wheel Wells
Fred, I think you're spot on that they were intended to be trimmed to begin with. I just assumed they were formed the way they are for some purpose but was never comfortable with how the well area looked. The alteration doesn't seem to have compromised the strength of the fender (as far as I can tell) and, as you noted, they sure look better.
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Preform Resources Dave Craddock Redford,Michigan (359 posts) Registered: 12/20/2008 05:46PM Main British Car: 72 MGB V6 3.4 |
Re: Radiused My Wheel Wells
It's been a while , but I think you bought our race kit from Spridgetech which would not have had our wheel arch system, however the bottoms of the fenders are as wide as they are because they go back to the normal sheet metal surface about 6" up from the bottomand the fender bonds to this surface,combined with our inner wheel arch panel it seals the whole inner , using our wheel arch system makes it easy to radius ones arches and if the FRP seems too wide I would suggest blacking it out.
BTW; both the SEEDSTER and the SEBRING kit fit in the same manner. Dave Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2013 05:22PM by Preform Resources. |
DC Townsend David Townsend Vermont (406 posts) Registered: 11/21/2007 12:22PM Main British Car: '78 B (almost done) 30-over SBF, dry sump |
Re: Radiused My Wheel Wells
Correct Dave. My kit was bought from Spridgetech.
To be clear, I LOVE my kit and am not complaining. Just was looking for more 'stock' appearance. I ended up fabricating my own inner wells for the rear and splash panels for the front as this kit pre-dated those very nifty parts included with the newer models. It's hard to see in the picture but the front fender still wraps underneath and attaches the existing sill. |
Preform Resources Dave Craddock Redford,Michigan (359 posts) Registered: 12/20/2008 05:46PM Main British Car: 72 MGB V6 3.4 |
Re: Radiused My Wheel Wells
Dave ,no problem,you've done a fantastic job on your car, I just wanted to express the intent of what we are doing with our
parts and to make the fender opening look like stock, I'm just saying black out the unwanted body color,in your case you HAD to fabricate the inner wheel arches. Dave |
DC Townsend David Townsend Vermont (406 posts) Registered: 11/21/2007 12:22PM Main British Car: '78 B (almost done) 30-over SBF, dry sump |
Re: Radiused My Wheel Wells
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HealeyRick Rick Neville (490 posts) Registered: 12/19/2007 05:01PM Main British Car: 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L |
Re: Radiused My Wheel Wells
Looks great, David. Very nice!
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