Projects Radius the Rear Fender Wells OR NOT?

Okay so I building an Austin Somerset Gasser...
Full Build Thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=859106

So yesterday the sun was out and we got to open the shop doors for the first time in months and bask in the glory of a sunny afternoon. I am working on tubs right not and so for the first time we could actually stuff the 12" Hoosier up in place (which of course you know we had to do for a quick preview)!

From the beginning I have planned to radius the rear fender wells. However after walking around and taking in the whole view...I am having second thoughts! What do you think?

 

I don't believe I have ever seen an Austin Somerset. I like the lines of the car, if you cut the rear wheel openings it starts to look like all the other gassers. I would NOT radius the rear fenders. I like the look of the tires stuffed under it!

 

If you cut them, you'll need to bring the tires out some

 

Yep. If I radius them the tires will be right at the body line or stick out just a bit...

 

Try mocking up some skirts for it. I definitely wouldn't radius it.

 

if it is era correct , you know the answer...

 

Your right but it sure looks good tucked.

 

Make a black card board mock up of the cut and take a look at the profile.
It's going to change the look of the car - see if you like it.

You'll be a mix of the tucked "pro" look and radiused gasser.

 

This does and will look good, but only if the "tuck" on the front of the car matches.

 

This just looks better to me,the first image just come across as pro street. HRP

 

Totally agree, I have seen some Vegas and other small drag cars in the past that the rear track is much narrower then the front. That bothers me as well...

 

If you can post a direct side shot I'll photoshop both. Maybe that will help.

 

Agreed, this looks much better.

 

see post #9
Thanks though.

 

Yep Vicky is correct here. The main problem I see looks wise is that if the wheels wells are not radiused the car has a modern appearance especially with the wide slicks.

The tires would not have to come out much just even with the sheetmetal will do it. They may have to be bumped out anyway to keep them out of the radius on the tops of the tubs.

 

As cool as tucked can be, it ALWAYS reminds me of "Prostreet". I Like the Prostreet look, but on a hot rod style build, it kinda means identity crisis.

 

Radiused looks more thrilling.

 

Radiused

 

I'd leave them as they are.. Nice looking Austin...

 

looks like a Gasser with the wheel wells opened up...definitly use real hand lettering as well.

 

Change the slicks 10 times and then make up your mind.

 

Radius for sure, otherwise it will look like all the other used to be pro streeter now a fad Gasser cars.

 

Radius is a must! Don't build a cool gasser that's confused with Pro Street look rear, and gasser look front! The build is really cool now, and the radius will keep with your theme.

 

Not every gas class car back in the day had radiused wheel wells. I vote no radius, as long as the front track width is the same or narrower.

 

So what's the decision?

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I like the tucked look, but back in the day they would have been radiused and on that narrow of a car, tires sticking out at least 2" per side.

 

When you first mentioned radiusing the wells, I said "NOOO!" Then the photoshop and it changed everything.
Besides 'era correct', the lines of the body and the round radii of the fronts match perfectly.
Radius them, just like the illustration!

 

Radiused for sure. Looks period correct, and way more MEAN effect!!

 

I have some time. I am not going to do anything until I get the axles, backing plates and drums on it. That could very well decide it for me if my calculations are off an inch in either direction. I had planned to Radius them from the start, I have even had them taped up ready to cut. My measurements from the beginning put the tires right at the body line...We shall see....we shall see.