There are many cars today that seem to have grown in width from standard.. 

Wider wheels and stance, provide better grip. The wider arches are effectively an attempt to contain the wider track, and wider wheels fitted to the car and prevent stones flying up and help protect pedestrians against contact with the wheel.

Aerodynamics do play a part here and the area between the wide arches needs to be planned carefully. Styling cars with wide arches usually means side skirts to match, that run the length of the car.

Road safety standards (M.O.T included) specify the entire width of the tyre must be contained. Whether this is accomplished with mud guards or wide body kits depends on the type of car you have and the look you are aiming at.

It is pretty pointless fitting a wide bodykit to a car if there is going to be a big gap between the wheel and the outside of the arch. The aim is to get the wheel to fill the arch. There are 2 methods to achieve this and many show car owners employ the 2.

Firstly you can get spacers. These are thick metal disks which bolt on to the hub and push the wheel out a little further. A spacer will help provide clearance for brakes in situations where the offset does not match the car.

Another method is by fitting wheels which are physically wider. See the article on alloy wheels for more details on selection and the effect of difference wheel sizes on the final gear ratio and the speedo accuracy.

The more adventurous enthusiast may even alter the hubs and fit a wider rear axle. Often the next size car up with provide a suitable donor. Remember that when changing the geometry of the wheel you should get the suspension realigned and set up correctly.

You also need to check that there is sufficient clearance around the wheel when the bodykit is fitted although a wide body kit will usually improve the clearance issue.

Fitting a wide body kit to your car.

Wide body kits come in many parts which have to be seamlessly attached to the car. You can rivet them on or apply fixing studs and then finish with a filling compound. Front arches can also be purchased as replacement panels making the job as easy as bolting on a new wing.

Take your time, lay out the parts and plan every aspect of the job in detail. Some kits require skirts to be fitted first, others require the arches first and some will require the removal of the front and rear bumpers.

Our recent Skyline R334 Wide Arch project made from sheet steel