wheel fairings?

[NutmegCT]

I've read several recent posts here mentioning wheel fairings. And some of the pictures I've seen of TRs with fairings are NICE!

Is there a source for those nowadays? Any praise - or caveats - on the idea?

Thanks.
Tom

 

[martx-5]

There was someone making them awhile back, but I can't remember who. BTW, they are called SPATS. It was a rare option, so finding a set of originals would be quite a challenge, not to mention a rather high price.

 

[tomshobby]

Tom, if you cannot find a set you might be able to make a set and use the mounting hardware from an 80's or so GM.

 

[Andrew Mace]

[wheel fairings ...or spats] Is there a source for those nowadays? Any praise - or caveats - on the idea?

I always did like the look of them!

One obvious caveat is that they will NOT work with wire wheels! The other is that they will be expensive whether original, reproduction or "homemade"!

Saw a pair for sale in 1985 at a VTR Meet in Michigan. Couldn't afford them then...or now. Quick anecdote: I bought a TR2/3 Spare Parts Catalogue from the person who was selling the spats. Got back to my room and realized that the page in that catalogue showing the spats was missing and remembered that he'd had that page on display with the spats themselves. Fortunately, he was still there and let me have the page! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Twosheds]

Joe Richards' TS1 has 'em. So does Ralph Ericsen's TR3. I can find out where Ralph got his if you're really interested.

I don't like 'em myself. They work on a Jag XK 120, but they look Over the Top on a TR, I think.

 

[tomshobby]

Seems like they would fit very well when I have on my top hat and tails while escorting my wife to the ball! Of course that would be when the Rolls was indisposed.

I have mixed thoughts on them except to say they are not real handy when changing a wheel and I do think they make the car look heavier.

I had a set on my '81 Bonneville. I finally left them in the garage.

 

[Don Elliott]

There was an original pair of green ones for sale on e-bay about a year ago. I heard they went for something like $1400.00 for the set.

A TR owner somewhere on the left coast was going top have a body man make him some just after that. He said he'd work from photos and the page from the parts catalog. I never heard if he had them made.

 

[Moseso]

A set of repros just went on ebay a few weeks ago for 5 or 600 bucks. That's more than I have, though I've been thinking some spats might be nice...

I have found this through idle web browsing. https://www.skirtsandvisors.com/homepage.html. They don't list Triumph by name, but they might be able to do them, if asked. Their prices on what they do list are very encouraging. It's certainly worth an email inquiry. I haven't done it yet because I'm WAY far away from that level of completion.

Post back here, if you find out anything good

 

[Tomster]

tomshobby, they sometimes come with a little show of petticoats as well, just to set the heart racing....
Major concern about another seam to catch moisture

 

[Twosheds]

One obvious caveat is that they will NOT work with wire wheels!

Every time I see spats on a TR2-3, I wonder if anyone has tried to make knock-off cut-outs to allow the use of wire wheels.

Coincidentally, this photo came today in an e-mail. It was taken at a car show in Florida:

 

[martx-5]

I'm not a big fan of the look of the spats, but that cutout for the knock-offs makes them look even worse. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif

 

[kodanja]

fugly

 

[TR6oldtimer]

If you like spats on a TR, then you will probably like these:

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif

 

[angelfj1]

A bit much if you ask me.

 

[Twosheds]

A bit much if you ask me.

I agree, especialy combined with the wide whitewalls, which I don't like on a sports car.

Maybe they're O.K. on a giant American car from the fifties, but not on an LBC.

 

[TR3driver]

Always a matter of taste. I'd never have wide sidewalls on my TR3A, but this car looks good to me.

 

[toysrrus]

Hi There Moseso;

The link you gave us does`nt open? There`s nothing there? I`m searching for some spats for a friend of mine here in NE PA:

Should anyone know of a set for sale or where to have them made; Please email or PM myself:

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thankyousign.gif Russ

 

[Andrew Mace]

Hi There Moseso; The link you gave us does`nt open? There`s nothing there?

Try this . The original had an extra period at the end.

 

[Moseso]

Thanks, Andrew. I guess I screwed that up...