Wheel wells cut?

[A83]

My 83 came with a new 350 engine and new front end I have 15 inch tires but I noticed the front fender wells have been shaved off so there is no lip like around the back wheels - any reason someone would do this? Is the wheel well now weaker? There is no overseeing of anything.

Thanks

Kevin A83

[silverstude]

If there's no lip rolling under the fender, then it is definitely weaker. Might just flutter in the wind turbulence when driving at speed. I can't comment on how the bodies of an 83 were manufactured, but the lore is that by 1983, he factory did some of its best work on these cars. The seams were tight, tolerances close and very professional fit and finish. Hard to believe there wouldn't be any reinforcement behind the fender

[Gunslinger]

Someone could have shaved the panels if they intended to put oversize or wider rims and tires on the car.

[A83]

Thank you both for the reply. Fender seems strong in general but very thin. Thanks. Rear fenders are normal.

Kevin

[Avanti83]

My 83 is setting on the hoist for winter. It is original as far as I know. I can post a picture or two if you want to compare yours.

BTW, I agree with the 83 is better comment. My 74 is a kit car assembled a high school class compared to my 83.

Bob

[A83]

If you could post a picture that would be great

I don't notice any flutter at high speed but will double check

Thanks

[wildfelr]

RQB3263 BILL....The latest issue of Avanti Magazine has a featured article about a highly modified Avanti which incorporates excellent fender flairs...The pics indicate that a whole lot of thinking and skillful workmanship went into this body modification but then thats true of the entire project. its perty extreme....The wheel well flairs look awesome and to copy this would not be a sin...I sure would as they probably could not be improved on..especially if the openings have already been butchered...ittl be a lot of work but the finished product will look great on any modified Avanti...it will prob req wider rims and low profile tires to go with the flairs...(snowball effect)...its a long cold winter.... BILL RQB3263

[wildfelr]

RQB3263 This web site might help you get it right when changing wheel ans tire sizes...it did me ...avoid costly mistakes...

<www.calculation.com/calculator/tire-size.php>

[mfg]

Frankly, if the 90' lip has been removed from an Avanti fender with no other type of reinforcing done,.....I'd be afraid to SNEEZE in its direction for fear the fender would crack!!

[Avanti83]

Finally remembered to take the picture of the front wheel well on my 83. A little hard to see but there is a lip at 90 deg to the fender all the way around the opening. It's about 3/4" or so wide.

If your's is missing you might want to epoxy a metal rod around the inside edge of the opening and then glass that in.

Bob

Edited November 27, 2016 by Avanti83

[A83]

Thank you Bob and everyone I like the reinforcement idea and will check out the modification in the mag - Kevin

[WayneC]

RQB3263 This web site might help you get it right when changing wheel ans tire sizes...it did me ...avoid costly mistakes...

<www.calculation.com/calculator/tire-size.php>

Seems to be a bad link, perhaps this is it: https://tiresize.com/calculator/

Here's one I like: http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp