Fender Spats

Merv and Sharon · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 10:43 PM

I am trying to decide on the type of fender spats (for the leading face of the rear wheel arches) to use on a Harrison Cobra. I have seen the stainless steel ones and some ally ones. Some seem too short, but they all are a bit 'bling', at least to my eye, at this stage. My car will be black. Have also looked at the the 3M clear adhesive material. Could be OK. One that caught my eye was the leather/vinyl, clip on type. I am not entirely sure how that attach to the inner part of the arch but they do look the goods.

Has anyone had experience with these? Do they work? Do they flap around? Where would one get them or a template for them? Have tried to attach a photo.
/Users/eps/Desktop/Drivers side spats.jpg
Merv

400TT · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 11:20 PM

Due to the difference in shapes of rear guards, position of soft top mounts etc, I would be getting them custom made by your trimmer after your soft-top has been fitted. That way they will fit perfectly.

The beauty of them is that you can remove them for shows, washing the car etc.

I've seen press studs used under the wheel arch to attach them. On top they just attach to your soft top lift-a-dot posts.

I'm seriously considering them for my RMC.

The other option is black stick on material with a slight grain to it. Needs to be UV resistant, something suitable for automotive use. I'm currently looking into some suitable material. I have a sample, so just looking into it's suitability.

Merv and Sharon · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 12:04 AM

Thanks Craig. Sounds like a good concept with the removable feature. I think some press studs could be fitted inside the wheel arch, as you say. Keep in touch please re the best material.

Merv

400TT · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 12:10 AM

No worries.

I personally feel the stick-on material will end up looking much neater, but is not quickly removable like the leather-vinyl ones.

I reckon the black ones have a more race feel to them. Which is what I'm aiming for.

07cob · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 08:38 PM

Merv

i have just fitted the clear (3M type) material to the front of my wheel arches and I am quite happy with it at this stage. Fitting was *fun* and I think I will repeat the whole process at some stage (I got enough material to do it twice!!). I am relatively happy with the driver's side - 1st attempt - then I made a bit of a botch of the passenger's side.

I ordered the product through www.ozicozi.com.au and found it to be incredibly flexible and easily manipulated to fit this area. I tested some of the offcuts and I reckon if a stone gets through it, it will go straight through the fibreglass as well!!!

Cheers

Geof

Cameron Parsons · #6 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 10:33 PM

I have used the 3M, and had great results. It's very 'invisible' and has only been replaced once. (about 20,000K's).

Cameron

Merv and Sharon · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 04:55 AM

Very nice! Thanks Cameron and Geof. Hope to catch up at the B'fast on Sunday (my wedding anniversary!)

1985 CCX · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 11:59 AM

I have a set from Bill Andrews:
Very easily cleaned and do not disturb car finish.

400TT · #9 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 02:35 PM

Jeff, they are really nice fitting examples.

How do they attach underneath? Is there just a press stud at the top under the guard and another at the bottom? And also one half way I expect?

JCoop · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 04:19 PM

I have the same leather(ette) ones and they have a snap button at the bottom and velcro all along the edge that wraps under the wheel well lip. Not as snug around the edges but very secure and does the job. The only thing is you have to replace the one liftadot on each side that the spats attach to with the double height kind so that you can still use that dot for the soft top or the tonneau cover as well.

400TT · #11 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 07:29 PM

Thanks Ray, that's exactly what I needed to know.

Going to have a talk to a trimmer today about splats.

spookypt · #12 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:32 PM

Hey Craig.. get a price for me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SpookyPT

Wazza · #13 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:47 PM

Hey Boys...

Take the time to stroll through JCOOP's gallery( Above)....some very cool cars!!!
SPF#1052 11mpg
CAV GT40 MONO29 9mpg
'67 Austin Cooper S Concours 42mpg
'01 MB CL600 V12 18mpg
'06 MB E350 4matic 25mpg

400TT · #14 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 05:31 AM

Spookypt, I was going to let you know anyway as I know your chasing them.

Merv and Sharon · #15 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 06:39 AM

Thanks Ray. I was thinking that there may well be a market here for those! Especially when ordering a tonneau. You seem to like the MB's. I hired a car for four months in NY last year and found that gas mileage seemed an afterthought there, but I guess thing are changing now, however. Don't give up the V12 they are a great car.

Merv

JCoop · #16 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazza

Hey Boys...

Take the time to stroll through JCOOP's gallery( Above)....some very cool cars!!!

Thanks Wazza. I really wanted to buy that Spyker but it was a little out of my reach and the paperwork was a little fuzzy with the Euro spec.
Cheers!

JCoop · #17 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Thanks Ray. I was thinking that there may well be a market here for those! Especially when ordering a tonneau. You seem to like the MB's. I hired a car for four months in NY last year and found that gas mileage seemed an afterthought there, but I guess thing are changing now, however. Don't give up the V12 they are a great car.

Merv

Merv, the CL600 is a sweet ride. Smooth, seamless power in an elegant package. Thanks for stopping me. I'm about to take a road trip to Toronto this weekend (10 hr drive) as a goodbye, then I was going to place an ad in the paper as I wanted to buy a couple of Toyota hybrids like the Prius. I know, quite a contrast but my wife Jane and I are really getting concerned about the environment and are starting on a "green" campaign but can't fit that many cars in the 2 garages

PS believe it or not, I get 25mpg highway on the V12.

400TT · #18 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 02:37 PM

Ray, just donate to an organisation that will plant some trees for you(or plant them yourself) to offset the carbon emmissions from your cars. The last thing I would be doing is selling the V12.

I can only dream of having a car collection like yours. I do have a Cobra and GT40, just wish one of them was driveable at the moment. But I'm working hard to rectify that.

400TT · #19 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 11:07 PM

The trimmer came and had a look at doing the splats for me this morning. Didn't get to catch up with him yesterday.

He said they would be better in leather as the leather will stretch and fit the body better. Vinyl like soft top material etc will not stretch and would look wrinkled. He will add a thin foam backing.

He agreed the best way to do it was attach to the top lift-a-dot, then at bottom have a strap over to the chassis and a snap button there. And then velco up under the guard lip. Thanks to Ray(JCoop) for the original info.

Don't know a price yet. He did say they would be easy. The car goes to him Monday arvo for other interior work, so will get the splats done at the same time and find out a price for doing them separately to give people a ball park idea. I'll also post photos of the finished product.