To mud flap or not to mud flap, that is the question...

[83hurst-olds]

I have a completely original 1983 Hurst Olds with 26k documented miles (pictured at the bottom of this post🙂 http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=23114

The previous owner took off the original Eagle GT 215's (which I now have with 1/2 tread remaining) and replaced them with some BFG's in 235 so they are wider than stock. There is already a couple of small rock dings in the gray lowers, maybe from our 2400 mile road trip we took with it home. Anyway, I was considering some Oldsmobile/Cutlass mud flaps for it but didn't want to put holes in it. While detailing it the other day I realized there were already holes in it, that sure look to me like where the mud flap screws would have went. I hate the idea of them being on the car, but I THINK I hate the idea of damage more. However, I will probably only put a thousand miles or so on it a year and only in nice weather. But, Oklahoma roads are notoriously rough.

What do you guys think, do they look THAT bad on there? Or, do they take a sporty olds and make it a granny's car again and make you want to

 

[Peter]

mine came with rears only from the dealer that were the universal ones (im guessing they went on some other cars during that period) that said GM on them and they look fine i think. however i dont think fronts would look very good

 

[joe_padavano]

What do you guys think, do they look THAT bad on there?

Yes.

Either man up and take the stone chips as a badge that you actually drive the car, or use clips to hold the flaps on while you drive then take them off and hide them in the trunk when you show. Binder clips (as used to hold stacks of paper) work nicely for this.

 

[JBreu]

I think it's all in your own opinion...I have a set of chrome ones on in the rear of my car and I like the looks

 

[pontiacgp]

It's a personal choice that's up to you. Flaps aren't something that can't be taken off if they end up bothering you.


Offtopic....Jbrue...are those bias ply tires your running on the rear?

 

[83hurst-olds]

It does appear there are already screw holes in the front, I will have to check the rears to see if there are some there too. I wish he would have stuck with the 215's, that extra 3/4" seems like a lot when I compare them. I guess I could see if the holes do indeed match up and if so put them on to drive, and off to show (which I probably won't do often, if ever). I just bought it for me...

Thanks for your insight guys and that pic helped visualize what it might look like on mine too.

 

[JBreu]

83 HUrst Olds-NO problem, glad to assist..........
PontiacGp----------In that photo I was running those old skool sneeks....Actually I found them basically brand new, but very old, on CL for $40.00..Anyways, Not annymore though, I went with the Nitto Drag Radials.275x60x15.. Which I love and reccomend. 8)

 

[kornball426]

You could get some plastic decals to put on the lower quarters color matched to the original color... Like most "racing" stripes are on most cars these days... And were on the fenders and quarters of old Porsche's to protect the paint underneath. They're easily removed, and to passers by on the road and 99% of people will never notice them.

Would cost more than mud flaps, but would preserve the original look much better.

 

[Oldsmoletick]

Either man up and take the stone chips as a badge that you actually drive the car, or use clips to hold the flaps on while you drive then take them off and hide them in the trunk when you show. Binder clips (as used to hold stacks of paper) work nicely for this.

I like that idea!

 

[longhorncutlass]

When I got my '87 Cutty the first thing I did was remove the four mud flaps. Reason is that I live in Texas with no salt on the road and I only drive this car on sunny weekend days anyway. The flaps don't look right on a G-body to me. Plus, over time there tends to be a build up of dirt, debris and water right between the flap itself and where it touches/comes into contact with the car. Hastens rust development on the rear quarters at the bottom edge right behind the wheel well. So I say, "No mud flaps", just like Joan Crawford said "No wire hangers.....ever!"