Rear valance molded in???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 502
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From: Reno Nevada
Rear valance molded in???
So, I am in the middle of doing body surgery to my 73 and am at the rear valance area. The left side rear has been hit minorly in the past and needs a bit of love. I am sanding and glassing, etc and wondering why I should not glass up the rear valance to be one full piece.
This car is never going to be original again anyway, I am going with flares, etc and seems to me the rear valance just looks undone. Is there any reason, I can't just glass this together for a smoother look? I have seen several flared cars and this valance is not glassed together, at least on the cars I have seen. Is there something that I am not thinking of that will be a problem later when this body goes back on the frame?
Sorry purists...but this car was messed with long before I got it.
Thanks for the replies ahead of time.
This car is never going to be original again anyway, I am going with flares, etc and seems to me the rear valance just looks undone. Is there any reason, I can't just glass this together for a smoother look? I have seen several flared cars and this valance is not glassed together, at least on the cars I have seen. Is there something that I am not thinking of that will be a problem later when this body goes back on the frame?
Sorry purists...but this car was messed with long before I got it.
Thanks for the replies ahead of time.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 73,
Really the only down-side to glassing in the rear valance is that it's a little more difficult to lift the body off and put it back in place because it can't be lifted straight up or lowered straight down.
The rear valance wants to hit the rear crossmember so the body needs to be tilted a little to get it past the crossmember.
Regards,
Alan
Really the only down-side to glassing in the rear valance is that it's a little more difficult to lift the body off and put it back in place because it can't be lifted straight up or lowered straight down.
The rear valance wants to hit the rear crossmember so the body needs to be tilted a little to get it past the crossmember.
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 106
From: Cortlandt Manor NY
The rear valance on my 69 project was glassed in at some point in its life. I like it and it gives it a cleaner, smoother look. I did a body off and it does make it a little more challanging with the rear glassed in. I did it with the car on dollies, lifted the body a few inches, rolled the frame forward a little, raised the body to clear the rear crossmember, rolled the frame back and lifted body off. Just reversed that when I dropped it.
It was also born with under body exhaust and I bought it with side pipes. When they glassed in the rear vallance they also glassed in the two exhaust ‘holes’. Building it back with big block and probably under car exhaust. Trying to figure if I can keep the glassed over holes and make hidden looking exhaust.
It was also born with under body exhaust and I bought it with side pipes. When they glassed in the rear vallance they also glassed in the two exhaust ‘holes’. Building it back with big block and probably under car exhaust. Trying to figure if I can keep the glassed over holes and make hidden looking exhaust.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 502
Likes: 103
From: Reno Nevada
Thanks guys. Sounds like I am going to glass it together.
When I pulled the body initially, I had no idea what I was doing and it came off all in one piece. The front frame piece may have to be bolted on after I get the body in place. That sounds fun...
When I pulled the body initially, I had no idea what I was doing and it came off all in one piece. The front frame piece may have to be bolted on after I get the body in place. That sounds fun...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
The one on my 69 wasnt great to start with then with both tommy and mike busting it more its a mess,
A guy was gonna give me a rear valance but i guess changed his mind,
So my plan was to just glass mine all in, my car is an old school restro l88 flares so the glassed in valance will be fine,
If i dont like it glassed in i can recut it my way, im obviously no purist.
A guy was gonna give me a rear valance but i guess changed his mind,
So my plan was to just glass mine all in, my car is an old school restro l88 flares so the glassed in valance will be fine,
If i dont like it glassed in i can recut it my way, im obviously no purist.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
I'm about the same place as you with my '73, 73. 
But what Alan mentioned, I like access to the frame back there. Wiring, brackets, exhaust; to me, I want to keep it as designed.
Yes, the no-bumper look is very cool & appealing to the eye. But a slight bump, caused by anything from a shopping cart to another car's bumper, could result in much more work to fix than perhaps a bumper being there to take the bullet. All speculative of course.
Too cold to paint here right now, so just being picky and killing time making it all good. Filling it in for about the 4th time and it still needs more, so I know what you're goin through my friend. It's not so bad a job, but of course: Your Car, Your Choice.
Good luck whatever you decide 73racevette.
Steve
But what Alan mentioned, I like access to the frame back there. Wiring, brackets, exhaust; to me, I want to keep it as designed.
Yes, the no-bumper look is very cool & appealing to the eye. But a slight bump, caused by anything from a shopping cart to another car's bumper, could result in much more work to fix than perhaps a bumper being there to take the bullet. All speculative of course.
Too cold to paint here right now, so just being picky and killing time making it all good. Filling it in for about the 4th time and it still needs more, so I know what you're goin through my friend. It's not so bad a job, but of course: Your Car, Your Choice.
Good luck whatever you decide 73racevette.
Steve
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 502
Likes: 103
From: Reno Nevada
A bit intimidating to use the cutoff wheel initially on this. Fiberglass underneath the car is super fun... only a little in my hair. Ugh.
Last edited by 73racevette; Mar 4, 2018 at 06:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 502
Likes: 103
From: Reno Nevada
I like his, but mine is going to be a bit different. Will see how it goes in the next week or so. Am going to modify the piece I cut off from the side and make it an air diffuser. Will see how it comes together.