Diaper and trim question (1977 GTB)

In post #4 of my thread from a few days ago, user rkljr fabricated one of his own. Maybe you can reach out to him about making one to your liking...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/484831-correct-butchered-exhaust-valence.html

 

Justin, it looks like you have a Euro GTB, very nice. I ditched my muffler a few years back (Tubi now) and was never happy with the diaper. Two winters ago, I finally decided to take it off and find something better and more like the valance on the Euro cars.

Ultimately, I did not find anything on the web that looked like what I wanted. So, I started playing around with making one of my own. I made a prototype of lightweight aluminum that was easily trimmed etc. Once I was happy with the general fit and look, I purchased some aluminum stock and matched the template for the size and fit. It was at this stage that I cut in the slots. The slots on mine are intended to match the size of the vents behind the wheels. I little primer and then some paint, which I actually want to re do in satin instead of gloss. All in all it was a fun project.

Let me know if you are interested. I am not committing but I still have the template etc. I could deliver it primed or raw so you could have it painted to match your car.

 

Ellie,
I'm about to do a Euro bumper conversion on my '78 GTS, and have been wondering what to do about the ugly diaper. I'd love to have a valence like yours if you feel like making another.

 

OK, where were you guys last year when I suggested making a few? There was no interest.

John, do you have the stock exhaust? It does not matter for the size but I am not sure how it would look as it is not the prettiest thing. Chas has an Ansa and mine '79 has a Tubi.

There are also some options to consider. What should the slots look like? (The one on my car (a prototype in my mind) are the same length as the side slots behind the wheels) I have also considered putting black mesh behind the cutouts which is common on other types of holes but not on the 308. I could always just make one identical to mine but wonder if others have ideas that may make it better.

 

That was supposed to be 'rkljr' - auto correct changed it to 'Ellie' for some reason. Sorry about that!

 

Where was I last year? Still shopping for my car, I'm afraid.

Yes, I have the stock exhaust, but I'm planning on changing it at some point in the near future.

I think the slots would look better if they were longer or maybe if there were more of them, like on a deep front spoiler.

 

Interesting valence solution that you have created. When I put a Mille Miglia exhaust on my '77 I ultimately had the exhaust cut and re-welded so it would fit correctly through the original slotted screen. It took some skilled craftsmanship (not mine) to get it all to work but I'm really pleased with the end result. I like to make the car look original, even though I've done subtle mods to make it operate better. Oengus, your '77 is so classic looking and nice that I would consider doing the exhaust mod rather than the valence mod. But that's just my dumb opinion...

 

Gentlemen -

I'm glad you all connected with rkljr. One suggestion, for what it's worth: I'm all for customzing/personalizing, BUT the Euro cars that didn't have the heavy diaper shrouds had the trim piece in the photo below. Looks like the equivalent of connecting rkljr's two slots as a single long one, and would then match Euro factory style...
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PS, if you decide to do a run of these, I might take one, too, just in case I decide I want the significant weight savings, rather than stock look. Rkljr - If this is soemthing you're willing to tackle, might be worth starting a fresh thread on "Group buy repro 'Euro'-style exhaust valence," just to get would-be buyers' attention if they're not reading this valence discussion. Between Chas, John, and me, that's three prospects already.

 

After a little more thought, I agree with Justin - I think one long slot would look better. Newman did something similar on a couple of cars he did:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/379748-%241500-500%25-ferrari-tax-paint-job-10.html (see posts 184 and 193)

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/386363-3-4-qv-crowndogs-adventure-46.html (See post 908)

 

Richard,
Any idea how much you'd charge?

 

Someone did this to my 77
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Mine came with an oversized exhaust covered with chicken wire painted black.

Both issues are being addressed.
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I debated the slots with myself for a long time. There are numerous examples on the web. From Euro cars, to other custom ones, and the 288.

In the end, I chose two slots for balance and to provide a little bit of rigidity in the middle. I was worried about the bottom vibrating with a single long slot. It is possible to solve the potential vibrating pretty easily.

The single slot in Newman's car looks very nice indeed. His valance looks very similar to what I did, I wish I had seen his when I did mine. I think Crowndog's is a little too curvy, the corners are rounded.

Justin, it is a lot lighter. Is is much smaller than the diaper and it is made of aluminum. I do not know the weight but if we move forward I will weigh them both.

Good idea on the Group By thread. That would be best.

 

Chas, I like the single slot. The width should probably be set to have equal distance between the side slots and the center slot. The car pictured is a Euro car or converted to look like one and thus does not have the side slots of a US car. Thus, the slot would be a little shorter in length but the same idea.

I was thinking I would order up some aluminum stock and make a new valance for myself as I view the current one as a functional prototype and figured I would create a new one at some time. I guess this is the time.

I also need to see if the strip below the slot is stiff enough. I am worried that a thin strip that long may not be stiff enough. I believe the Euro cars valance is steel and mine is aluminum. I suppose I could use steel, which is actually easier to work in some ways. Steel would be a little heavier but still way lighter than the old bracket and diaper.

Once it is done, I would share with everyone and if you are interested I could then make a number of them.

 

How about...

Then it it would really look like a Euro instead of a Fauxro! (Teasing of course)
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I would love to get one of these and get rid of the diaper!

 

Agreed!

 

That is an interesting rear end. One side has a cut out for the exhaust and the other does not. I have not seen that before.