What is Widebody? | Revv.ly Car Culture Glossary

What is a Widebody?

There comes a moment in every enthusiast's journey when they look at their car and think: it's not wide enough. The wheels don't fill the arches properly. The stance isn't aggressive enough. The car looks, frankly, a bit ordinary. And in that moment, the solution becomes obvious: MAKE IT WIDER.
A widebody kit extends the vehicle's bodywork beyond the original fenders, creating space for wider wheels and tires. We're not talking about subtle fender flares here. We're talking about MASSIVE additions that transform the silhouette from ordinary to extraordinary. The kind of modifications that make pedestrians stop and stare. The kind of presence that announces your arrival before you even come into view.

The Transformation

Factory cars are designed to certain width constraints--regulations, manufacturing considerations, the limits of what focus groups find acceptable. Widebody kits throw these concerns into the bin where they belong and answer a more fundamental question: how wide can we actually make this thing?
The results are spectacular:
Visual Impact -- A widened car looks planted, aggressive, purposeful. The wheels filling the arches (or extending beyond them) creates the stance that enthusiasts crave.
Wheel Fitment -- Wider fenders accommodate wider wheels. Wheels that would never fit under factory fenders suddenly have homes. Those 11-inch-wide rears you've dreamed about? Now possible.
Tire Size -- More wheel width means more tire width. More rubber on the road. More grip potential. More presence.

The Options

Widebody modifications range from subtle to outrageous:
Bolt-On Flares -- The accessible entry point. Flares bolt onto existing fenders, extending width by a few inches per side. Visible hardware becomes part of the aesthetic. Think Rocket Bunny, Pandem, Liberty Walk.
Molded Widebody -- Flares permanently bonded and blended into the bodywork. When painted, these look factory--as if the car was born with that width. More expensive, more labor-intensive, but seamless.
Full Wide-Body Conversion -- Complete replacement body panels designed from scratch to create different proportions. Think GT3 RS versus standard 911, or aftermarket conversions that completely reimagine the silhouette.

The Commitment

Installing a widebody kit is not for the faint-hearted:
Fender Cutting -- Most kits require removing portions of the original fenders. This is irreversible. Once cut, the body can't be returned to stock without replacement panels.
Fabrication Work -- Proper installation requires metalwork, body filler, painting, and significant labor. Budget thousands, not hundreds, for professional installation.
Fitment Challenges -- Nothing fits perfectly from the box. Adjustment, trimming, test-fitting--expect complications.
Wheel and Suspension Requirements -- You're not just adding flares; you're building a complete package. Appropriate wheels, offset changes, potentially suspension modifications.

The Legends

Some widebody conversions have achieved legendary status:
RWB Porsches -- Nakai-san's hand-built wide Porsches are rolling art, each unique, each a statement.
Liberty Walk Everything -- From Ferraris to Challengers, Liberty Walk's bolt-on aesthetic is instantly recognizable.
Rocket Bunny/Pandem -- Kei Miura's designs brought widebody to the masses, with kits for everything from BRZs to R35 GT-Rs.

The Reality

Widebody modifications attract attention--not all of it positive. Some purists are horrified by cut fenders and bolt-on flares. Insurance complications may arise. Resale values can go either direction. But for those who want PRESENCE, who want their cars to command attention, who want something beyond ordinary--widebody delivers.
The Revvly community celebrates bold builds--wide, aggressive, and unapologetic.
Related: Stance, Offset, Poke
Famous Widebody Platforms: Nissan GT-R, Toyota Supra A90, Porsche 911