AIR fiberglass flares, ?? Options

[Philhill]

Hello to 914 world-
I am starting a build on a 75 1.8. It is a fairly solid car and I am starting with paint and bodywork. I love the look of the 916 (don't have the $$ to do an authentic clone) so have purchased the flares and bumpers from AIR.
I have duct taped the flares on to the car and have broken out the sawzall to start cutting the body but wanted to check to see if anyone on the site had done an install on these AIR parts before irreversible damage is done ;-}. I looked to see if there were any threads for these parts but don't see any, but I am sure that some people have gone before me...am I missing a thread somewhere?
My initial assessment is that there will need to be some tweaking needed to get things to look and fit right.
Many thanks,
Paul

[Shivers]

Hello to 914 world-
I am starting a build on a 75 1.8. It is a fairly solid car and I am starting with paint and bodywork. I love the look of the 916 (don't have the $$ to do an authentic clone) so have purchased the flares and bumpers from AIR.
I have duct taped the flares on to the car and have broken out the sawzall to start cutting the body but wanted to check to see if anyone on the site had done an install on these AIR parts before irreversible damage is done ;-}. I looked to see if there were any threads for these parts but don't see any, but I am sure that some people have gone before me...am I missing a thread somewhere?
My initial assessment is that there will need to be some tweaking needed to get things to look and fit right.
Many thanks,
Paul

Are they glass or steel? Glass would bond onto the metal so don't cut too big.
Steel is a butt joint. I clamped mine in place and cut the bottom with cutoff wheels. I went up about a foot from the bottom and tack welded the bottom in place to try and keep the whole thing from shifting. Then cut up both sides a little at a time until the origional piece of steel fell to the ground. when I was getting close to the top, before the steel fell I add a few more tack welds

[Literati914]

I believe I recall 3M Panel Bond being a favored product for attaching the fg flares. Think about installing the flared rocker panels first, so that the fender flares line up with those when done.

[tygaboy]

Get your wheels on the car THEN fit the flares so the wheels are centered in the openings. Unfortunately, the quality of many (most) fiberglass parts means you can't count on them to fit exactly. Plan on reworking areas to achieve the fit you want.
Panel bond is the way to go unless you like the riveted-on look.
Do a LOT of research before you start so you're clear on what you're getting yourself into.
I don't say that to discourage you in any way but to help ensure you don't get overly frustrated when you run into challenges.
And start a build thread here so we all can watch, learn and help.
Best of luck with your build!

[Philhill]

[Philhill]

The parts from AIR are fiberglass. They say that they use Bondo Resin Je
lly to bond the flares to the car. I have the front and rear bumpers/valances on the way. Will see how they will integrate in before I do any permanent mods.
Will start a build thread if no one has already documented this install.
Cheers,
Paul

[mepstein]

Fiberglass flares were more prevalent before AA released their metal flare reproductions. Metal flares keep the structural integrity of the fenders and quarters intact. Glass tends to get used more on track cars.
Good luck with the build.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[burton73]

The parts from AIR are fiberglass. They say that they use Bondo Resin Je
lly to bond the flares to the car. I have the front and rear bumpers/valances on the way. Will see how they will integrate in before I do any permanent mods.
Will start a build thread if no one has already documented this install.
Cheers,
Paul

I say no on the bondo Jelly for sticking the flares on, maybe after they're on with an epoxy or newer two-part bonding material. I put glass rear flairs on a 911 way back in the 70s. the 2 part epoxy stuck like a mother
Also, if you get flared rockers from Auto Alanta that they molded off Georges 916 and use that for the Positioning of the flares from front to back. I cannot find it Right now but in the 914world there is a posting from some time ago where someone has measured it out as far as the each piece from front to back may have come from George can't remember for sure.

Best Bob B

[mepstein]

I had a set of AA flared rockers. They were different lengths. So definitely don’t use them for positioning. Positioning flares is easy. A perpendicular straight edge from the front, top and rear of the stock wheel openings to match up with the flared opening. The rockers are a piece of trim. They get fitted once the flares are in place.

[Literati914]

..Think about installing the flared rocker panels first, so that the fender flares line up with those when done.

..The rockers are a piece of trim. They get fitted once the flares are in place.

By first, I mean before anything is settled on and cut.. or do as Mark suggests, then have fun stretching or shrinking those simple trim pieces after the fact. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[jim_hoyland]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Great project ! Please keep us posted; this is going to be fun… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mb911]

Man can you weld? If so steel is so much better route. Fiberglass never works out

[sixnotfour]

Rivets ,,er Ribbit ,,er RWB..This 914 looks Good..

[Philhill]

Steel vs fiberglass. Agreed, the steel flares are the "proper" way to go. Fiberglass is kind of down and dirty. Reality for my build is that my goal for this car is more a driver that I can run down to the grocery store with than a world class restomod. I paid $3K for the car, doesn't seem to make economic sense (to me anyway) to spend 1,500 for the steel ones. I will be doing all paint and body work to keep cost down and because I enjoy painting cars. I am certainly not a pro. This car is a relatively cheap canvas to throw paint at.
Bonding agent. I was surprised that a fellow at AIR mentioned they used Resin Jelly. There are lot of options out there that are much more high tech. Reality there is that the flares are polyester so the high tech will probably be stronger than the part itself. Will do some research.

ph

[rick 918-S]

These Flares are Glas. I installed them around 1996. I had no idea you could actually get steel ones from Porsche back then. I didn't even know how to get on the internet. Nothing wrong with Glass if installed correctly.

[neyen14]

Good luck creating your vision! I have a well made set of glass flares that, from what I gather, was made by a company that is no longer in business. I planned to put them on my '72 as one of the factory fenders wasn't in good shape. Long story short I got a '75 with fenders in good shape and didn't think it appropriate to cut them to put glass flares on it.

Between vegan meat and drone strikes, there are so many options these days for fastening apparatuses

[Philhill]

Hi Rick-
Gorgeous car! You have given me inspiration to get going!
Lots of super cars on the site. Thanks to all for sharing.
The 916 bumpers arrived on Xmas eve. I will move over to build section and try to post progress.
ph

[KELTY360]

I’m admittedly old school, actually just old, but I don’t get the addition of flares on a 1.8 grocery getter. There’s plenty of other things to spend time and money on with a 914. Good luck with your build.

[mepstein]

I’m admittedly old school, actually just old, but I don’t get the addition of flares on a 1.8 grocery getter. There’s plenty of other things to spend time and money on with a 914. Good luck with your build.

I would have done it even if I didn’t convert to a six. From the moment I saw a flared car, I’ve loved the look.

[rick 918-S]

I’m admittedly old school, actually just old, but I don’t get the addition of flares on a 1.8 grocery getter. There’s plenty of other things to spend time and money on with a 914. Good luck with your build.

I would have done it even if I didn’t convert to a six. From the moment I saw a flared car, I’ve loved the look.

I did it when I still had a 1.7. Same reason.