Fender flares

[Bottom Feeder]

Hello.  I have a question about fender flares.  I have a 72 Firebird.  Wanting to do a 72 T/A clone.  Not a show car but nice driver, local shows etc.  The 72 car didn't have front clip.  I tried to find an early 70-72 front clip with no luck.  All were stupid expensive or rotten with rust.  So....I bought a 75' hood and shaker.  Bought a 70-72 front nose.  But I had to settle for 80' fenders.  I know all this will fit together and look somewhat correct.  I have to weld on some clips for front valance.  Here's my question.  I was stripping down the fenders yesterday to go have them blasted and put in epoxy.  I noticed the fender flare is bolted on with two studs` and three skinny screws to inside of fender lip.  I think I'm right on this???   Fender flares are grouped as 70-78 and 79-81 right?  If I used the correct "bigger" flares for the front what would I do for the back flares? Use the bigger flares on rear? Would this look really bad? Is there that much of a difference versus the "skinny" chin 70-73 spoilers?  OR,   weld up the two holes on the fenders and mount up the 70-73 chin spoilers and correct smaller for rear? Thanks  Any pictures of the 79-81 flares used on a early Trans Am or Formula?  thank you.

[Grand73Am]

My opinion is that it would be noticeable to have a mismatch between 79-81 front flares and the older ones in the rear. The lower shape of them are different..the older ones more rounded on the bottom, with the later ones more angular. Since your car is a 72, I'd use the early flares on it. But if you choose the later flares, I suggest using them all front and back so they'll match.

[b_hill_86]

X2. Those who don’t know trans ams wouldn’t know the difference I don’t think but anyone remotely familiar with them, I think the later flares will stick out like a sore thumb. Just my opinion. Plus, as I’m sure Luke can attest to, you may find more trouble getting a used set of the later flares to fit properly. I’m not sure if they’re reproduced. The early ones are.

[Wallington]

Not just the mismatch of flares but mismatch of front spoiler between the flares that don't fit the nose they are under, or not as well as the correct type did.

[roadking77]

I too would stick with the early style flares. I do not like the looks of the '79 compared to the '77. They look too bulky to me, much the same as I like the rear spoiler on the earlier cars over the later ones.

[Bottom Feeder]

Thank you. That's what I thought.  If I use the earlier flares, I'll have to weld up 4 holes in each fender.  OR, just don't do any flares.  I saw a 72 with no flares but had the shaker, rear spoiler.  He didn't have T/A fenders either and no bird. Solid Lucerne blue......car looked great.

[N PRGRES]

Leave it a firebird.  Far more rare at shows and they look so clean without all the TA stuff.  If I had to do it again, thats the route I would take

[76455sd]

Thank you. That's what I thought.  If I use the earlier flares, I'll have to weld up 4 holes in each fender.  OR, just don't do any flares.  I saw a 72 with no flares but had the shaker, rear spoiler.  He didn't have T/A fenders either and no bird. Solid Lucerne blue......car looked great.

So it was basically a formula clone with a shaker. Like a 73-74 455sd formula.

[Bottom Feeder]

Yes.  I'll post a picture of it.