Radiused rear wheel wells lip..
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Eastwood sells a really nice tool for rolling fenders.
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-fender-roller-w-instruction.html
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-fender-roller-w-instruction.html
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The Eastwood tool works well if you're not changing the shape of your wheelwell, and the wheelwell is round. If it has an odd shaped wheelwell, then as the wheel turns you have to readjust the roller to stay in contact. Another big problem is if there is any bodywork around the wheelwell, as it will pop any filler or at the least crack it. So you need to know before starting if the car has ever been hit.
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Yes dude i agree its really a nice idea,.
Pics are looking awesome,.
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Thanks for posting.... forgot about this good idea!!!!
One of the plans I have for the Opel is to switch from 10" rims & tires width to 12".
Since I got the Opel late last Summer I have been kicking around the idea of removing the rear fender flares for a more authentic "gasser look".
Whoever installed the rear fender flares did a GREAT JOB doing so. They look like they came from the factory.
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So another one of my "plans" will be to remove the flares and while I am at it relocate the leaf springs inboard and make new mounts for the rear shocks which will attach to an additional crossmember that will be added to the rear of the frame.
One of the plans I have for the Opel is to switch from 10" rims & tires width to 12".
Since I got the Opel late last Summer I have been kicking around the idea of removing the rear fender flares for a more authentic "gasser look".
Whoever installed the rear fender flares did a GREAT JOB doing so. They look like they came from the factory.
So another one of my "plans" will be to remove the flares and while I am at it relocate the leaf springs inboard and make new mounts for the rear shocks which will attach to an additional crossmember that will be added to the rear of the frame.
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Hey Steve..... Ironic you should reply to this "older post" of mine today...... Just the day before yesterday I took a magic marker & some string .... measured the radius of the M/T's I picked up at the Spring swap meet in Canfield, Ohio and did a "let's see how this looks" on the rear fenderwell opening on the Opel.
Everyone who looks closely at the flairs on the Opel are amazed they are NOT factory. Even the inside of the fenderwells are stock=looking as can be. They obviously took many man-hours to install & to bring to the level of finish that they are.
I'll post pics of "line" I made on fender flare tonight so you can see what the opening would look like "without" removing the flares...... in way I hate to 'chop-up" such nice custom work.... but then I am getting pretty good with a sawz-all...... ha!!!!
and also prefer the old-school LOOK of traditional "radiused fenders.
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Is that the same car in the second picture ? If so ( hands down ) that's just cool. Not to say I don't appreciate the flares and the work that was involved. But as a Gasser or even a Street driven hot rod, the radius is more suited for the Opel then the flair. Now go figure when I've been considering building radius fenders on the Grump..... .
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Your flares are very nice on your Opel John, but radiused wheelwells will really look more old perior gasser. That second car looks great radiused, and only thing I'd chaange is a little more tire out past the edge of the opening for my taste.
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I agree.... got to have some tire poking out of the rear fenderwells. Years ago the State & local Police would ticket you if any of the tire was sticking out of the fenderwell. Times have changed.
If you notice on the picture of my Opel and the lighter blue one as well..... the rear wheels have a negative offset which helps to keep them inside the rear fender.
Here's a couple of pics:
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As you can see in the second picture.... the flares are not just stuck on the car.... even inside the fenderwell is completely finished giving them a factory look.
I am hoping that under the flares "most" if not "all' of the rear quarter sheet metal will be intact.
If you notice on the picture of my Opel and the lighter blue one as well..... the rear wheels have a negative offset which helps to keep them inside the rear fender.
Here's a couple of pics:
As you can see in the second picture.... the flares are not just stuck on the car.... even inside the fenderwell is completely finished giving them a factory look.
I am hoping that under the flares "most" if not "all' of the rear quarter sheet metal will be intact.
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After posting a reply to ProStreet Steve's resurrection of this thread about "radiused wheel wells" my curiosity started "killing me".
As soon as I got outside this morning I gathered my tools and "attacked" the rear fender flares on the Opel.
I was pleasantly surprise to NOT ONLY find all of the stock sheet metal intact.... but a VERY decent radiused fender opening. Feels GOOD to WIN one for a change.
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I have posted MORE PICTURES of the flare removal at my build thread.....
Go To: http://www.gasserhotrods.com/forum/showthread.php?375-Opel-Kadett-Gasser&p=9153&posted=1#post9153
As soon as I got outside this morning I gathered my tools and "attacked" the rear fender flares on the Opel.
I was pleasantly surprise to NOT ONLY find all of the stock sheet metal intact.... but a VERY decent radiused fender opening. Feels GOOD to WIN one for a change.
I have posted MORE PICTURES of the flare removal at my build thread.....
Go To: http://www.gasserhotrods.com/forum/showthread.php?375-Opel-Kadett-Gasser&p=9153&posted=1#post9153
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Oh GOSH ! ! ! What did I start ! ! ALTHOUGH ! Fantastic results there John that's looks good ! Next ( while luck is on your side ) I would run out and grab a few lotto tickets. I don't think there's been a time when I ucovered an older repair and found something I was look forward to let alone in that good of shape. How long we're the flares on the Opel for ?
that's looks good ! Next ( while luck is on your side ) I would run out and grab a few lotto tickets. I don't think there's been a time when I ucovered an older repair and found something I was look forward to let alone in that good of shape. How long we're the flares on the Opel for ?
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Not sure of the exact amount of time but the flares were on when the owner BEFORE the guy I got the Opel from owned the car.
So that means the work was done by the guy who started the project back in the '70's.
Then, from what I know ...... the car sat in a barn for 20 years or so (sounds like a familar story). It's like the flares "protected" the radius all of those years.
Taking the flares off was like opening a time capsule or something.
Just to have the original sheet metal intact would have been good enough but to have found the radiused opening as well and the quality of work is a real bonus.
As you can see the bottom of the rear quarter & in front of the wheel opening is shot.
Hope the other side is in as good a shape.
Thanks again for the "motivation"!!!!!
So that means the work was done by the guy who started the project back in the '70's.
Then, from what I know ...... the car sat in a barn for 20 years or so (sounds like a familar story). It's like the flares "protected" the radius all of those years.
Taking the flares off was like opening a time capsule or something.
Just to have the original sheet metal intact would have been good enough but to have found the radiused opening as well and the quality of work is a real bonus.
As you can see the bottom of the rear quarter & in front of the wheel opening is shot.
Hope the other side is in as good a shape.
Thanks again for the "motivation"!!!!!
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Ya know John I didn't go to start an old post back up ! ! I use the ( what's new link ) and this thread popped up. However glad I did, it started back on the wheel openings.
However glad I did, it started back on the wheel openings. 
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Dang John, there ain't no turning back now! Hope the other side is good too.
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Hey Steve.... I think I can speak for others who frequent this forum that you "motivate" us in so many ways.... just by having you nearby especially when you frequent the forum is an invaluable tool for us backyard builders.
Anyone who has been around hot rods as much as most of us here on this forum have grown into being able to identify quality work & the creative mind that is able fabricate parts in a truly unique high-quality one-off fashion.
So now that I spent my 2 cents ...... "what are you doing this weekend????? HA!!!!!
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Anyone who has been around hot rods as much as most of us here on this forum have grown into being able to identify quality work & the creative mind that is able fabricate parts in a truly unique high-quality one-off fashion.
So now that I spent my 2 cents ...... "what are you doing this weekend????? HA!!!!!
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