Speedster Parts and Widebody Fender Flares

I am not sure if rusty tubs is still in business.

Fabricating wide fenders is a lot of labor, the fenders blend higher up into the body as well as into the quarter panels than anticipated that's why a wide body speedster is a completely different mold than the classis style body.  This is an IM that had flares added before I purchased the car.

@Alan Merklin you are correct sir!.....it's a messy endeavor.....like building a surfboard...which i have done...which is why i would not attempt this project... i have tried to learn from my mistakes in my youth

Alan has always come up with innovative non-Por$che alternatives.  Recall LED tail lights (40's Ford? but tear drop), ebay Corbeau-like seats, Miata show roll bars, non-VDO gauges, Chevy bolt pattern wheels. Lot's of places for VW mechanicals (like CIP1).

There used to be a guy with a set of CMC flared body molds in Sarasota FL are but he seems to have disappeared.  He did this Miata Speedster from those molds:

Porsche 356 Speedster with a Mazda Miata Donor | Rare Car Network (rcnmag.com)

Someone with a body mold could flash just the flares.

What about these for fender flares? Has anyone used them? https://www.ecstuning.com/Pors.../Body/Fender_Flares/

Having sectioned four fenders to widen my MG's body for wire wheels, it is now my belief that the only reasonable way to flare a Speedster is to buy a pre-sectioned IM or one of the widebody kits.

There are basically 3 different versions of flared Speedsters that are commonly seen and they were all molded that way, not added after the fact.  Vintage Speedsters built three versions of Speedsters, Traditional, Widebody (mild flare) and the Super Widebody (similar to the look of a 930 Porsche).  Classic Motor Carriages & Fiberfab sold a flared version called the California version.  The differences between these version is subtle and not easy to recognize without closely studying photos.

You can see lots of photos of the two Vintage Speedsters flared cars on my website, but I've never owned a CMC or a Fiberfab version. www.replicaspeedsters.com

I don't think ABS bolt on flares would look right - unless you jacked car up and added big knobby tires.  I guess you could use the ABS flares to mold fiberglass flares but will look add-on.  CMC/FF Calif flares look add-on but that is how they were designed when introduced back in the '80's.

Had a SOCer in Birmingham contact me about a Speedster he bought years ago from FL.  It appeared to be a CMC but with 911 looking standard wheel openings.  To me, it actually looks better (i.e. more modern and finished) then the flat 356 openings.  (Adds not much to enabling larger tires/wheels).

To me, the Vintage Speedster flares flow more with the body shape, but it's difficult to notice when you first start seeing flared Speedsters.

They're all ugly. Standard straight-fendered Speedsters or pie-cut widened. Flares of all kinds are UGLY on that perfect shape.

Y'all know I'm right.

I gotta disagree with you, Danny.  I always like the way Henry added the very mild flares to many of his IM6 cars, like Howard Bobrow's.  I felt like they complimented the shape.

After all the flared speedsters I've had this IM's custom mild flares looking like they belonged on the car even though it was an afterthought that took many hours to get it correct .

Is there a single Super Wide body owner on this board?

Elitist no flare plastic clown car owners, all of you

@Lane Anderson posted:

I gotta disagree with you, Danny.  I always like the way Henry added the very mild flares to many of his IM6 cars, like Howard Bobrow's.  I felt like they complimented the shape.

Pie cut widened, which I stated above. They look great. Cartoon CMC flares, umm, no.

IMHO this worked out quite well !

Traditionalist or Outlaw??  Authentic or hot rod?  It's all up to you.  Pick your poison, then drink it.  It's all good.

The ultra-wide body "big butt" is sure impressive going down the road with some really meaty rims and tires!  Definitely a Brazilian butt lift.  Makes you feel sad for those with classic CMC bodied IRS car forced to use 4/5" rims to clear!

Every pot has a lid, I suppose.

Fat bottomed girls don't make my rockin' world go 'round.

Well, I like my slightly widened rear end...befitting for a man of my age. 

Yours is pie-cut, Bob. That's a whole 'nuther sumpthin'.

Sumphin' amazing, I guess.

Henry and his car elves did an amazing job of blending those fender flares into the lines of the body.  

This is my flared CMC for comparison