Ground Effects

Here are some pictures of my Fairmont with many of the prototype ground effects panels and/or templates I began building several years ago. I still hope to build them sometime, but it won't be anytime real soon. The plan is that they will eventually be constructed from fiberglass. These panels, and others yet to be made, are loosely based on 87-93 Mustang GT panels. My idea of building ground effects originated several years ago. Several factors affected my decision to pursue this project. 1) Ground effects for Fairmonts and Zephyrs are non-existent, so having a set on the car would lend even more to its uniqueness as a street machine. 2) It was my desire to create the illusion that the car sat lower than it actually did. 3) The successful completion of ground effects panels, in conjunction with a bit of judicious "spreading of the word" offers the potential for sales (albeit limited) of individual panels or kits. I have done considerable reading about fiberglass reproduction and have studied lots of vehicle design characteristics while out on the street, all the while trying to develop my own ideas about how to make an attractive set of panels for my car. I have learned, and continue to learn, about what does and doesn't work when trying to envision, then fabricate pieces that will ultimately form the basis for my panels. Most panels are in a rough to semi-finished state. In reality, I'm still in the process of creating the general visual appearance that I want to achieve.

	This "before" picture provides some context for the addition of the air dam, as seen in the picture below.
	Picture detail isn't the greatest, but this view at least provides some idea of what the overall package will look like when completed. Transition at the corners where the air dam wraps around into the cheek panels hasn't been attempted yet. I want to get the cheek panels semi-finished before getting into the air dam and the wrap around corners. Flanges will have to be incorporated into the leading edge of the cheek panels, as well as the point where the air dam butts against the cheeks. Lots of work to do yet...
	At this point, I haven't decided whether to put some sort of vertical spacer "bar" in the the air inlet to stabilize the lower part of the air dam, or whether sufficient strength can be gained by simply building the lower portion up. One of the challenges I'm facing in getting the air dam to look correct is where the air inlet thins down to half the depth of the adjacent molding and how those areas can be blended into the beveled inlet walls. I guess time will tell with some of these things...
	This angle provides a decent perspective of how the rear valance is shaping up. As with the corner transitions at the front of the car, the rear corners are an area that will take a bit of work to make look correct, but I trust that I'm up to the challenge, given sufficient time and patience. The central part of the valance, which is currently left open, will have some sort of special treatment. I'm not sure whether there will be a simple inset; inset with bars, or some type of inset word, such as "FAIRMONT GT".
	A bit wider rear quartering view of the car. I believe the basic appearance and "feel" of the panels is going in the right direction. Notice the piece of body side molding that is temporarily attached behind the front wheel opening. I am currently trying to figure out how to incorporate these moldings into all of the side panels. They will include a channel in which a 5/8" rub strip will attach to ensure that most door dings can be averted.