Parts that cross panel gaps

[jaybee]

I saw this in a YouTube video. It's a 1989 Dodge Shadow rear spoiler on a Ford Maverick. I love this look, but is it OK for the spoiler to cross the trunk gap over the fenders like this? If needed, what would you use to pad the fenders so they don't get all marked up?

I admit that I'm a bit puzzled, though. The Shadow has a deck lid gap which runs front to rear, or said another way the lid is square. Same for the Maverick deck lid...so why does it look like this? Maybe it's a urethane part and they've pulled the ends of the "horseshoe" apart to make it fit the contour of the Maverick?

[idrivejunk]

Is it OK?

Fine with me. Some stock Grand Prixs have that. Remember Mach 1s and Judges, etc?

Does it touch the quarters?

Probably not, it would break. If so, little stick on rubber dots like are on a desktop monitor, etc. The part should be sufficiently rigid.

Has that spoiler been modified? I don't think any of us could vouch for it. I doubt it. The two cars have different shapes and trunk gaps are not always parallel but some which are not may appear so.

It looks to me like someone went foraging among a group of salvage vehicles trying on spoilers to suit their taste. Not uncommon in the southernmost United States, among the less fortunate.

[jaybee]

That's exactly what it was. Someone built this car for his daughter. He did it deliberately on the cheap in order to prove building a car doesn't have to be exclusive to the gold chain set. He picked up this deck lid spoiler from a yard for $30.

[idrivejunk]

Its really obvious and usually is. Personally I'd have left it be. The area it hides is one of the best, most prominent Mavericky shape / identity places.

Typical OE deck spoilers can be fiberglass or SMC. Or ? I believe foam filled blow-molded ABS plastic is a common aftermarket construction technique. I used to sell aftermarket universal "factory style" spoilers at one store I worked at. There are few "perfect" fits, mostly just used car places trying to move a dud by adding kid appeal.