Gauging Interest - GT Front / Rear Valance Options

[RiqueMar]

Those members that may have seen my project thread recently may recall that this last summer I had a HELL of a time working with a set of front, rear and side-valences. I don't want to speak poorly, but let's just say after digging in to this portion of a modification / restoration, I came to the conclusion the product could have been produced much better.

As we have FRP capability in-house from the manufacture of our driving and racing simulators, I would now like to offer sets of these to the 914 community. Unique to this product, is the ability to mount the front valance to the car body using 2x studs, making the installation, removal and adjustment much easier than the stock-setup. Additionally, the rear valance is pre-cut and setup for dual-exhaust using the same dimension and shape as the stock rear valance.

What I can guarantee from the end-product...
- Superior quality and materials
- On-time production and delivery
- A great product, requiring significantly less work and a better fit-and-finish

I've attached a few photos of the modeling process and we are currently making molds, with the first pieces expected in the next few days. Eager to get feedback from the community, and look forward to any comments. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[Chris914n6]

Unique to this product, is the ability to mount the front valance to the car body itself, making the installation and removal much easier than the stock-setup.

I have yet to see a valance that doesn't mount to the body, and stock has always mounted to the body. Did you get one with the tabs cut/broken off?

[mepstein]

Unique to this product, is the ability to mount the front valance to the car body itself, making the installation and removal much easier than the stock-setup.

I have yet to see a valance that doesn't mount to the body, and stock has always mounted to the body. Did you get one with the tabs cut/broken off?

Front mounts to the body, rear to the bumper. Looking good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Chris914n6]

rear to the bumper.

We'd like to see a pic of that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

[RiqueMar]

rear to the bumper.

We'd like to see a pic of that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

Correct me if I'm wrong, I think @mepstein meant to say rear to the body - front to the bumper.

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The units I started off with was pretty bad. You can see in my original post that we had to actually widen the front significantly, flair-out the ends, top off the edge meeting the wheel-wells, etc. All this before we actually started 'shaping'.

While some body work to the valances is expected when adding flairs (every car is, by nature, going to be slightly different) I found that the amount of work going into the pieces to be pretty ridiculous. For members that don't have a 'body-guy' and a 'fiberglass guy' on staff, this is going to be cost prohibitive when you consider a $60-$90 per hour rate.

I'm not sure how other manufactures produce and mount the unit, but the current design we are working on has the Front valance mounting to the body. Two M8 'studs' will insert below a new-hole drilled just below the holes to mount the from-bumper (jig/template will be provided with the piece).

[Chris914n6]

There's you problem... you factory spoiler screw holes are covered in bedliner crap.

The inset rocker covers are factory. They bug me too but hey its 70s style. I think the flush fit you are going for will look good.

The factory chassis jigs weren't that good, then add hand fitting flares, you will never get perfect fit flared rockers to customers. It will only be 'good enough'.

rear to the bumper.

We'd like to see a pic of that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

Correct me if I'm wrong, I think @mepstein meant to say rear to the body - front to the bumper.

---

The units I started off with was pretty bad. You can see in my original post that we had to actually widen the front significantly, flair-out the ends, top off the edge meeting the wheel-wells, etc. All this before we actually started 'shaping'.

While some body work to the valances is expected when adding flairs (every car is, by nature, going to be slightly different) I found that the amount of work going into the pieces to be pretty ridiculous. For members that don't have a 'body-guy' and a 'fiberglass guy' on staff, this is going to be cost prohibitive when you consider a $60-$90 per hour rate.

I'm not sure how other manufactures produce and mount the unit, but the current design we are working on has the Front valance mounting to the body. Two M8 'studs' will insert below a new-hole drilled just below the holes to mount the from-bumper (jig/template will be provided with the piece).

[RiqueMar]

There's you problem... you factory spoiler screw holes are covered in bedliner crap.

The inset rocker covers are factory. They bug me too but hey its 70s style. I think the flush fit you are going for will look good.

The factory chassis jigs weren't that good, then add hand fitting flares, you will never get perfect fit flared rockers to customers. It will only be 'good enough'.

@Chris914n6 - First and foremost, thanks for the input!See what you're saying. Note, original screw holes are still there just covered by the red-circle in the graphic. Factory method aside, believe this to be a better way to mount and adjust the front valance, more on that in my response to Bill below.

@BillJ - To your question: Like the bumper, this method will allow the front valance to be adjusted to maintain the gaps between the bumper and chassis, by loosening/tightening a nut on the inside of the fender; Easier and better than screwing, IMHO. As to the rear valance, this piece would mount in the same way as the stock unit, and has cut-out for dual-exhaust, with a nice lip on both. In the future, would love to create both a single-exhaust unit for flared cars, as well as a Dual-exhaust 914/6 flared valance.

As for the inset vs. flush look; I can find references to both. Further complicating the matter, it's hard to tell from more recent HD photos which cars (Factory flares / GT's) have been restored and which are original and un-touched. People more knowledgable than I on the subject can chime in, however if someone prefers a 'flush look' they won't have to add the 1/2" of lip (and hours of labor) if you purchase these.