Designing/building front wheel skirts v.1.0 (Geo Metro)

[Jetta90GL]

I like it, its looks like batmobile's little nephew. If it had one.
I'd like to do this to my jetta, just so little time..

[MetroMPG]

Update: Just doing body work to smooth out the fiberglass. Wax on, wax off. Um, I mean skim coat of bondo on...

Should have that job done tomorrow.

[Tango Charlie]

Can't wait for pics! All your previous shots have been of just the left side of the car. Are you doing both sides, or just the left?

[MetroMPG]

I'm doing the driver's side first, to completion. Learning experience for the other side - original plans tend to get modified somewhat as I go along.

[Tango Charlie]

Any more progress, or is the can of bondo frozen over?

It was about 29F here this morning, so I finally had to turn the AC off...you know, removed my beaded seat cover.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

So, two layers of glass (one more to go for a bit more strength), rough trimmed to the final shape and two screws into the frame.

Yes. I'm. Slow.

Even with just two layers, it holds its shape quite nicely, but I'm thinking about integrity at higher speeds. Don't want it fluttering.





Aesthetically, something is bugging me (I can hear the laughter from non-EM members reading this thread who don't care about aero... ): The shape of the front skirt doesn't match the rear.

Ultimately I plan to re-shape the front bumper, which will let me extend it further out to shield the front tire, so I'll be able to trim the skirt to follow the existing wheel arch curve.

At the rear, what I was thinking is that I'd make a "faired" part to attach to the quarter panel, replacing the aft end of the skirt with a fixed piece, so ultimately I'd have something like this:

Darin,not to create work for you,but if you were to add strakes,for and aft of the the front tires,they would create a visual line which flows with the rocker panels and into the front fascia.Also,an external brace on the outside of the skirt,on the lower line of the span would both stiffen,and add visual interest to the skirt.----------------- The rear passenger side skirt on the T-100 is full-depth and since it is sheetmetal,I was able to pop-rivet aluminum angle to the bottom and it really takes the flutter out and also blends with the "ground-effects".It's cheeseier looking than composites but will help on mpg 'til I can spare time for FRP.---------------You might tape rubber foam weatherstrip piping along the bottom of the skirt and just layup over it.Just a thought.-------------------------- Finally,whatever you do,when they're painted to match,I think you'll develop a real fondness for them.I think they look great just as they are!

[Tango Charlie]

I was at Sam's Club yesterday with the wife and saw one of those white plastic cutting boards like I mentioned earlier. $10 for a nice sized one.
Anyway, it reminded me of your project. Any updates?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by FunkSkunk

Where do you guys find good sources of large pieces of cardboard?? I'm tired of piecing together templates!!

I've been able to score empty mattress cartons for free at local mattress outlets.They're huge! If you don't have a truck or trailer,take a utility knife along with you.

[MetroMPG]

Updates, yep: I'm working on the skirt again this weekend, after a too-long hiatus. (Too many projects!) Expect more pictures & video (later) of the completed skirt in action in another day or so.

I'm moving to the east coast for the winter in about a week, so I will only finish the driver's side. (Drat - still no heated shop where I'm going!). On the positive side: it will make for a good long test to see what refinements may be needed before I launch into constructing the other side.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by aerohead

Darin,not to create work for you,but if you were to add strakes,for and aft of the the front tires,they would create a visual line which flows with the rocker panels and into the front fascia.Also,an external brace on the outside of the skirt,on the lower line of the span would both stiffen,and add visual interest to the skirt.

I'm with you on that, Phil. I've been thinking the same thing - extending the "character line" of the rocker panel into the skirt, as I did on the rear ones.

Definitely on the to-do list once the functional bits are worked out.