TR2/3/3A TR3 Fender Skirts or Spats

[karls59tr]

I know..I know...they were so ugly back in the day that nobody wanted them. However if you see them on a TR3 in combination with the hardtop you've got quite a unique looking vehicle..somewhat Jaguar like. I was thinking of fabricating some "spats" for my 3 to use with the hard top for late Fall driving. Anyone have any ideas as to what material to use or how to go about it? Anyone have a good picture of an original set?

 

[prb51]

Karl,
Can't help with the template but will offer moral support. I think they look cool and are a great, and unique, period look.
I saw a west coast car that had nicely done cut outs on them so he could use wires...not correct but looked good.

 

[bgbassplyr]

There is (was) a 3 that has been on ebay several times in the last year. Wanted too much IMO, which is probably why it did not sell, AFAIK. Search might find it. It was white w/hardtop and skirts, and pretty good pix.
Hope this helps.

 

[Silverghost]

If you make a set, make 2....my brother wants a set for his car....let me know how much....

 

[Number_6]

I really like the look of the spats on a TR or on a Jag XK120. They have a really nice vintage look. Here's a thread about spats from a couple of months ago. It has a couple of pics of TR spats and also a link to a page the details how to make your own. Hope this helps.
Full spats for a TR3?

 

[karls59tr]

Thanks for the link Number 6. It seems that Tinman58 has a pattern and may have even made a set. Wonder if he's still out there and would consider making a few sets???

 

[Twosheds]

Here's a photo of Ralph Eriksen's TR3 with spats. I don't know if they are original or reproductions, but I would guess reproductions.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

Tinman58 was logged in a few days ago. You might want to shoot him a PM to be sure he sees this thread.

 

[karls59tr]

Good idea....I'll send him a PM and see if he ever made a pair of spats.

 

[prb51]

First time I've seen spats finished with beading...looks good

 

[Andrew Mace]

IIRC, the original specification was a plastic beading similar to that on the early TR2 fenders, colored to match the body paint.

 

[TR4nut]

I like that chrome bit, it really sets it off nicely.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Nice photo -- but I think this is like wearing a cowboy hat or a cape -- some guys can do it and look good -- on others it just looks goofy.

 

[prb51]

Geo,
Good analogy, I feel very comfortable in my cowboy hat but always felt a little showy when wearing my cape.
The same color beading would have a finished look too.

 

[TR6BILL]

My early TR2 had factory wires and spats. Truly classic.

 

[Twosheds]

My early TR2 had factory wires and spats. Truly classic.

Hmmm....

I have always heard that the knock-offs would not fit under the spats. I have seen spats that are cut away to clear knock-offs, though.

 

[TR4nut]

Hmmm....

I have always heard that the knock-offs would not fit under the spats. I have seen spats that are cut away to clear knock-offs, though.

I might be wrong, but didn't the TR2 start with hubs specifically for knockoffs (not the bolt on variety)? That and the 40 spoke narrow rims might give the clearance.

Randy

 

[Andrew Mace]

Randy, you are correct about TR2s having "dedicated" hubs for wire wheels as opposed to the adaptors used later, but that doesn't help with the clearance. It's the up-and-down motion that one needs to worry about, and the knockoffs will extend out to or even a bit further than a skirt. Odds are one big bump would be enough to destroy even a skirt with a cutout. If you look at pictures of, say, various older Jaguar saloon cars, you'll see that those with knockoff wire wheels do not have skirts.

Hard to tell for certain at this angle, but it looks to me as the knockoffs on this car do protrude well out into where the skirt/spat would be:

 

[Twosheds]

I have seen spats that are cut away to clear knock-offs, though.

 

[karls59tr]

Visually that kind of defeats the purpose of having spats IMO.