Based on Keith Tanner's excellent photo outline linked below, I decided to go ahead and install some VW Rabbit fender flares on the rear of my '75 MGB. Thought I would post these pictures here to add to the database.
http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?2,20254
Rear1.jpg
rear2.jpg
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Robert, I bought "new" Rabbit rear flares,not fenders, from Rock Auto. Approx $34./ea, plus shipping. Not an endorsement. Thanks for the pick's, roverman.
Personally, I don't like 'em. Purely a matter of taste mind you and for those that do, that's fine. But it sort of puts me in mind of rubber bolt-on Jeep flares. Nothing in common with the rest of the body. But at least they are steel.
Jim
Jim, they're very similar to Omni flares; do you not like those either? Maybe I'm biased, but I think they look very natural on the B.
I don't mean to bash anyone's car or their craftsmanship. I know they have gained wide acceptance. I'm in the minority. It could be a minority of one. But the body contours of the MGB are all rounded. The only crease to be found anywhere on the car is the line down the side. It just doesn't meet my sense of aesthetics to put a crease around the wheel-well lip, that's all.
Jim
Thanks for the photos. I have this comming up. I see you slotted the inner sheet metal. Do you fold that up to the new flair? If so can you show some pics of that? Thanks, Steve
Jim; No offense, but I always get a kick out of your mention of not liking the Rabbit flares. I feel that they are exponentially more tasteful than certain super wide rear ends. ;) They are very proportional to the car and look great in person.
In any case, I am using Omni flares on the front of my car and Rabbit flares on the rear. There is only a minimal difference between the two in person. Someone else built a GT with the same combination. I can post a picture if I find it.
Steve - I shortened the tabs a small amount (0 to 3/4") from the length they are in the picture posted above. I folded them to meet the inside of the flare, tack welded all of them to the flare, then fiberglassed over that. They are "under glass" now, so pictures will not be a possibility. Let me just assure you that it is very easy to do. The whole rear flare project was as intuitive as can be. Just take your time to trim and prepare everything properly. Preparation and patience will be rewarded.
Now on to the front flares...Wish me luck.
So, this is not my photo and it is a repost of a repost; but this is supposedly a set of Rabbit flares on the rear and a set of Omni flares on the front. Not radically different.
rabbitrearomnifront.jpg
I'd like to point out one more interesting tidbit. You may notice that Kieth's flares sit up over the trim line on his car. The top of my flares just meet the trim line, like the flares on the red car shown above. I'm not sure exactly how Keith came up with that fit, but it looks like either way does work fine.
Ah yes - Buy a sheet metal nibbler. They are cheap on Ebay, they run on air and they make the most beautiful cuts you would ever like to make on any body metal. Seriously, buy one. Thank me later.
Yes, those wide flares are sort of a necessary evil I guess. How else to avoid tubbing the car? I'll grant you it pushes the styling in the Ace/Cobra direction, which is not a result to be desired since the MGB is overall a much better car to start with. But how much rear tire is too much? IS there any such thing?
Of course it is all a system of compromises. The flares enable the wide tires. The wide tires enable the Jag IRS, and all three enable the 8" of suspension travel which has wonderful benefits for all aspects of driving. But could you see Rabbit flares covering the stock inner wheelwells moved outwards by adding a 3" strip of metal to the center seam? We looked at it, and I don't think it can be done. At least not without tubbing the rear and that is just a huge job once you're into the frame rails. The red car does look good.
Jim
I'm just ribbing you Jim. I certainly don't know where you would put the wheels if you tubbed the car and anyway the rear end sets the stage for the blower through the hood.
Actually you are quite right, since the flares came first. And of course it'd all be for nought without the wing;-)
Jim
If you were a glutton for punishment you could cut that lip off the flare or roll it softly under to meet the inner metal. It would be unique and keep with the softness of the MG's curves. Just a thought . . .
Tim
Lip gone. Although these are Omnis not Rabbit flares.
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Thanks Robert. Keep us informed on the fronts. Steve
Geoff, that looks good. How did you do it? Just a bit of work with a body hammer perhaps?
David,
Just hammer work and time. A fair bit of time.
MGB142.JPG
I came up with my fit for functional reasons. I set up the suspension limits first, and at full compression that's where my wheel ended up. I needed to place my flares where I did to clear and cover the wheels. I do have a relatively wide track, chosen for the handling aspects.
I think they suit the car perfectly. I would argue that there are a number of angles on the car similar to the edge of the flares - especially on the GT. The front of the hood. The edges of the roof. The depression around the rear window glass. The top of the rear fenders. The headlight openings. Even the treatment of the Special Tuning air dam blends in really nicely to them. In person, the car doesn't look modified unless you realize that Pininfarina didn't put them there.
It's defintely not "cobraesque" - the Sebring flares are much further along that line.
You guys are all wrong, you need to widen the whole car to cover the tires. Well, maybe just a little pooch out over the tire.
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Ahhh right, widen the car....Back to the drawing board.
That looks amazing Jim.
I'm with you Jim, wider is better. Wait, is that not a car slogan? Some of us don't have the balls to take on your project, so "we-be-flares"
I like 'em both, flares & Jim's wide body MGB with stock lines.
I think a six inch wider MGB would look great, as well. Not sure I want to tackle it. I really need to finish restoring my TF & do a lot of work on my ' 68 Camaro, plus the growing list on my MGB.
Amazing project Jim; if the Brits at Heritage were smart, they would introduce such a wide body platform...........
Perhaps SoCal holds the "record" for the widest MGB @ +11.25" ? Ed Roth never had a chance vs Jim Stabe, on this one. SoCal, where all cars "wish" they could live. Cheers, roverman.
I am itching to install the front flares on my car. Today however, I am fabricating a custom steel dash for the Ford V6 powered Jensen Healey.
Rather than continue to hijack this thread, I'm going to gather my thoughts on how to do a widened MGB much more simply than I did mine and post another thread. It isn't really as challenging as it would first appear. I never started out with a firm plan other than to make an MGB fit over full width C4 Corvette suspension and the project scope creep resulted in what I have now 12 years later. There are likely a lot more solutions out there that would provide similar results with a lot less work and in a lot less time.
Stay tuned.
Can't wait to review that Jim. I love my car and there is little I'd actually want to differently, but your wide body B is a step above. I really can't wait to see it in person.
Jim,
I'm with Rob, waiting for the widening thread . . .
Tim
I can contribute.
Jim
The post is up http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?2,37661 Please chime in.