How to fit mud flaps to your car

Many of the questionable styling choices of the late 80’s and 90’s may cause one to raise an eyebrow. From hairstyles and fashions to the accessories people chose to fit to their cars, there are many that should just be left in the decades that time forgot. Today we’re talking mud flaps, and how to fit a set if you’re after a functional retro look.

I always wanted a set of flappers!

Many of the questionable styling choices of the late 80’s and 90’s may cause one to raise an eyebrow. From hairstyles and fashions to the accessories people chose to fit to their cars, there are many that should just be left in the decades that time forgot. Some of these choices were not only fashionable, but functional as well, and thus live on to be fitted to a new generation of vehicles.

Mud flaps were once the accessory of choice amongst burly truckers, but eventually filtered their way down to normal passenger cars, with drivers just wanting to keep road dirt of their cars’ shiny paintwork.

Taking a step back to the late 80’, early 90’s many cars were not designed to effectively tackle this problem, and thus mud flaps were an acceptable aftermarket fitment. With a new generation of automobiles rolling off of assembly lines, automakers crafted clever hidden mud flaps into their designs, negating the need for the old school aftermarket mud flap.

Fast forward a few years and the mud flap is making a comeback with enthusiasts who are seeking to recreate the old school style of the decades that should be forgotten.

I was quite surprised that my local auto accessory store actually had a set, although not for my make and model, but rather for an early model Mk1 Golf.

These mud flaps are relatively easy to fit, and it can be done in a matter of minutes – right in your driveway.

1. You will need to jack up the car and remove the wheel from the area where you are working.

2. Place the flap against the wheel well, in the location that fits the body line.

3. Some automakers will have made provision for fitment, in which case there will be pre-drilled or plastic grommet holes into which you can secure the screws.

4. Should there be no factory allowance, you will have to drill three small pilot holes and screw the flap down.

5. Replace the wheel, and repeat on as many wheels as you like.