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Real wheel skirts.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by bestmapman, Jun 11, 2008.

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  1. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    Is anyone interested in getting in on the Prius Rear Wheel Skirts. Lyekka is going to fabridate some. She works with fiberglass and has access to making molds and the parts. It looks like they will be a 3 piece setup. Two pieces will be added to the front of rear bottom or the car to extend the body so the skirt will be straight and not bulge at the base of the wheel. She is going to make them so they will not alter the car and be reversible. She has not worked up a cost yet. She will reply here when she has a cost. Lyekka and myself are having them make regardless of the cost(well within reason). If others want them, she has indicated that she will make more. It is a onetime operation, so if you want them you better speak up now.

    Please reply to this thread is you are interested.

    I'll post a picture of what I envision them to look like shortly.
     
    #1 bestmapman, Jun 11, 2008
  2. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    Like I said at cleanmpg I'm in. :D
     
    #2 TheForce, Jun 11, 2008
  3. Turbogizzmo

    Turbogizzmo New Member

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    anyone photoshop up what this will look like?
     
    #3 Turbogizzmo, Jun 11, 2008
  4. Spectra

    Spectra Amphi-Prius

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    Yes, interested!
    Along with illustration --
    method
     
    #4 Spectra, Jun 11, 2008
  5. Spectra

    Spectra Amphi-Prius

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    sorry -- got so excited, I clicked submit too soon --

    method of attachment?
    paint-matching?

    Thanks!
     
    #5 Spectra, Jun 11, 2008
  6. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Certainly I am interested in finding out more. I'd love to have skirts that "fit the bill."
     
    #6 darelldd, Jun 11, 2008
  7. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    Here is a pic, I finally got it to work. It will be painted to the color you specify.
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 bestmapman, Jun 11, 2008
  8. yunebug

    yunebug Gas Guzzler

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    Wow! That looks absolutely fantastic! I'm in!

    More pictures please! :0)



    [EDIT] That's a cool license plate!
     
    #8 yunebug, Jun 11, 2008
  9. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Looks great! Easy to remove for cleaning?
     
    #9 darelldd, Jun 11, 2008
  10. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Yes.
     
    #10 zenMachine, Jun 11, 2008
  11. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    The plan is to have the small pieces on the front and rear be the bottom attachment points. Two vertical studs/posts at the top. the way it will go in/out is: You align the studs at the top and push them in. This is how the skirts will attach at the top. The bottom will screw into the small pieces. Easy on and off. Two screws. That is the plan anyway.
     
    #11 bestmapman, Jun 11, 2008
  12. gbot

    gbot New Member

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    what would be the approximate price?
     
    #12 gbot, Jun 11, 2008
  13. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    At his point we are checking interest. I am having mine made for sure. When we get a price, I will let you all know.
     
    #13 bestmapman, Jun 11, 2008
  14. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    I may be interested pending price
     
    #14 sdtundra, Jun 11, 2008
  15. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I like the spats, please put me in the interested group.
     
    #15 patsparks, Jun 11, 2008
  16. hiremichaelreid

    hiremichaelreid New Member

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    How much do these improve mileage at various speeds ?

    Or are they mostly for looks ?

    Will wider tires, like 205 mm work OK ?
     
    #16 hiremichaelreid, Jun 11, 2008
  17. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I am interested in the skirts! California cool!

    Kevin McG.
     
    #17 krmcg, Jun 11, 2008
  18. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    It's all about looks and if there is a fuel consumption advantage that's great but I wouldn't count on anything you can measure.
     
    #18 patsparks, Jun 11, 2008
  19. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Please sir, add my name to the list for the rear wheel "skirts."

    Amapola applauds your efforts. She has been complaining bitterly, since
    almost the first day she's been with us back in late Dec '07, about
    showing far too much leg aft than is proper for a lady of her impecable
    breeding -- or is it pretention?

    No matter, "The Queen does not negotiate."

    (Shush now, don't anybody tell Amapola that patsparks calls them "spats.")
     
    #19 Rokeby, Jun 11, 2008
  20. carz89

    carz89 I study nuclear science...

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    Looking at the photoshop rendering that someone so kindly provided, and having a rare Honda Insight sighting now and then, I must offer my opinion that the rear wheel skirts are not attractive at all, but quite the opposite. Just my opinion, and I'm sure I'm setting myself up for a bombardment of "beauty" cliches. I must admit that I am a bit contradictory because I know that many people don't like the Prius overall for its looks, yet I think that the Prius overall is an attractive car. It kind of grew on me.

    However, I think that in keeping with the gas-saving spirit of the Prius, a rear wheel skirt is a worthy product if it can save 1 or 2 mpg. I would be surprised if it would actually achieve those results, though. Someone please post real-world data if it exists!

    A nice compromise might be if someone would manufacture the skirt in clear polycarbonate (same material as the headlight covers) in addition to the matching solid paint colors. That way, you could lure in the Prius owners like myself who like the idea of improving MPG, but don't like the appearance of the solid-colored skirts.
     
    #20 carz89, Jun 11, 2008
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