Front flares and spoiler '79

[Oldsschool79]

I have a '79 TA when I restored the car it was missing the front center spoiler but the wheel flares were good. I reused them after stripping and painting. I was going to order the center spoiler but noticed in the photos for replacements it almost looks like my car may have had '78 flares installed. Photos show the '79 - 81 flares with a bevel and the 78 is cut even under the radiator support. Has anyone ever run into this? I could use a good accurate photo of the 78 Vs. 79 flares. Thanks again for the help

[wheels78ta]

1978 first pic

1979 second pic

[Oldsschool79]

Thank you! No doubt I have the 78' on my 79' . Guess I will be buying the complete kit.

[FormTA]

Good luck, I haven't found a good aftermarket flare that fits good. I ended up finding an original set that fit.  But even my originals wouldn't fit right.

[Wallington]

Good pics

[Oldsschool79]

Anyone ever put a 78' spoiler on the 79' ? I am figuring it will not go with the nose design.

[FormTA]

I don't recall seeing that. I've seen a few 79s on 78s when folks did front end swaps.

[roadking77]

I suppose the 78 front spoiler will fit on a 79 its the same structure underneath. I think the 78 is a large pan type spoiler that encloses the bottom of the bumper between the front and the core support. The 79 is a bit less in width not so much as much of a 'pan'.

[b_hill_86]

I don’t believe the center spoiler of a 78 will fit 79-81 actually. Luke would probably know better than be and I sold my spare 79 spoiler I had but I have a 79-81 nose and crash bar which are both different than the 77/78 nose/crash bar and I’m pretty sure the 79-81 center spoiler attaches to the crash bar whereas my 77 does not. It has tabs that stick out and go into spots in the bottom of the bumper cover. So, I could be wrong but I don’t think it will work.

[FormTA]

I think Brian is right. I don't see a way to used the 77/78 center section unless you chopped the heck out of it. You'd then have to figure out how to hang it in the middle.

[Wallington]

Just a few quick comparison pics since I saw a pic that may be of interest, TA's aren't my specialty! I'm simply posting pics you are already familiar with, but I  had them saved.

Here's a low mileage 78 front skirt spoiler:

Low mileage original 78 TA nosecone front spoiler and radiator support baffle by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Low mileage original 78 TA nosecone front spoiler and radiator support baffle 3 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Here's a 79 TA front. Note that both models still use the AC radiator baffle strip.

79TA 301 with air deflector and spoiler by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

And here's what I have saved as a 78 TA with 78 TA flares but 79-81 front spoiler:

78 Trans Am and flares with wrong 79-81 front spoiler by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Now to find a used 78 TA spoiler, trim the rasied lip off and fit to my Formula, or not.

[Oldsschool79]

The photos helped. I don't think there is any way of using a '78 center. I plan on purchasing an OER three piece set and painting. Fortunately the '79 style will cover more area of the fender to hide any scuffs that may have started. I thank everyone for the help! Now lets hope for some good weather to get this ride back out.