mini tubbing without mini tubs

[camaro427-69]

probably a stupid question but maybe someone did it before. i have my 69 completely dissassembled and the Body just came back from sandblasting. i Need to replace the wheelhouses and the quarter Panels and all sheetmetal parts are already at the guy who does the bodywork. i always liked the wide stance of all those mini-tubbed cars but due to historic car law regulations here in Austria i can´t do that. but what i thought about is moving the inner wheelhousing all the way over to the Frame with spacing the inner and outer wheelhouse. how much would i gain? can i get an Inch to fit 295 instead of 275 wide tires? so will it be too much work without gaining anything or doable?

[Quickboat]

If you are putting a spacer within the wheel house sections you are basically mini tubbing and breakin the law anyway. The frame notching gives you a bit more room but without it you should be still able to fit close 295s

[camaro427-69]

thanks Jim. the Problems i always run into are the yearly checks we need to do for the licence to Keep the car on the road. if i really minitub they gonna take my plate on the next check because cutting out pieces of the Frame is pretty obvious and easy to see but if i just put an Inch of a metalstripe between the housings and move the inner wheelhouse just to the Frame it will still look like stock. the only Problem could be the shock mounting. i have the ridetech triangulated 4 link ready to install in my Garage so it won´t be a big deal there but i need to be able to get all the stock leaf stuff back in so i´m concerned how to figure that Problem out. so that´s why i´m asking if somebody did it before and could give me a tip to save some headache and work. otherwise i´ll just Keep it stock like it is.

[chops101]

GLA makes tubs that reach the frame rail, but do not infringe into the rail; i.e. no notching.
Looks completely stock when you spatter the trunk and dress down.
You can get upwards of a 315-325 in there.

Only the most experienced 1st gen nut will notice something is different.

[camaro427-69]

thanks Greg exactly what i needed to know. i just already have new stock wheelhousings so i get my Buddy to fabricate them a bit wider. do you have any Pictures of where you have located your shock Mounts and how it Looks now?

[regal454]

GLA makes tubs that reach the frame rail, but do not infringe into the rail; i.e. no notching.
Looks completely stock when you spatter the trunk and dress down.
You can get upwards of a 315-325 in there.

Only the most experienced 1st gen nut will notice something is different.

What does GLA stand for?

[Rhino]

GLA is the company that produces them. A friend of mine picked up a set from Matt's Classic Bowties. Not sure where else they could be found.

[chops101]

Correct - Golden Leaf Automotive, and yes mine came from Matt's, but I see them elsewhere now.
GLA either makes or rebrands the common sheet metal for repops.

I'll check for pictures, just got my car out of paint jail, but for shocks I welded plates inboard, and used KYB 5401, with E1/E1 mounts (I'm lowered 2")

[regal454]

Correct - Golden Leaf Automotive, and yes mine came from Matt's, but I see them elsewhere now.
GLA either makes or rebrands the common sheet metal for repops.

I'll check for pictures, just got my car out of paint jail, but for shocks I welded plates inboard, and used KYB 5401, with E1/E1 mounts (I'm lowered 2")

Please post pics if you have them. I am interested in mini tubbing to fit a 315 rear.

How did the GLA tubs fit?

[Gitter Dun]

No need to buy mini tubs. Take the existing wheel housings in the trunk and move them inward 1 9/16". Weld a strip of sheetmetal in between. Leave the lower shock mount and move the upper over. You could fit a 315-325 depending on who makes the tire. Worked for me.

[camaro427-69]

yeehaawwwww

[regal454]

No need to buy mini tubs. Take the existing wheel housings in the trunk and move them inward 1 9/16". Weld a strip of sheetmetal in between. Leave the lower shock mount and move the upper over. You could fit a 315-325 depending on who makes the tire. Worked for me.

Gaetano, did you have to use an offset shackle? What about a stock fuel tank? I would ideally like to keep my stock fuel tank.

[Gitter Dun]

Gaetano, did you have to use an offset shackle? What about a stock fuel tank? I would ideally like to keep my stock fuel tank.

No offset shackles. Still used stock tank. I did narrow the stock tank afterwards to move my exhaust in board of the leaf's but it isn't necessary unless you want to run your pipes all the way out. I cant post the pics of the work while it was in progress because they were sent to me via e-mail but if you give me your e-mail address I can send them to you. I do have some pics I can post of it completed......give me a sec and i'll dig them up.

[Gitter Dun]

[regal454]

Great, thank you for the pics. I didn't think the 315's would clear w/o moving the spring in some. Are your wheels 17 or 18 inch? any shock clearance issues? I'll PM you my email address.

[Gitter Dun]

Running 17" wheels. Clearances are fine but tight. I have about 7/8" to the leaf and about 5/8" to the quarter panel with a 315. Rear quarter lips have been rolled. If you intend on lowering the rear quarters over the rear tire a watts is needed if you will race the car in some form or another due to the differential shifting from side to side when driving hard into corners. I'm working right now but when I get home I'll e-mail pics.