It is in the old rule books!
Ok so the rule that tells us to cut isn’t easy to decipher. However it is there in black and white since 1960! We will start with the rules in 1958-59 for the dual purpose Gas Classes…there were only 8 rules! Yes the car in competition had to have 4 fenders, but nothing was mentioned about them.
In 1960 we see for the first time the rule that says you shouldn’t narrow a rear end in the Gas Coupe/sedan classes. The rule is under the “Wheels and Tires” section. It is the last sentence; “Stock tread width for the type of car used must be maintained”. Interestingly enough this year is also the first year that there is more to the fenders than just requiring 4 of them. Ironically excessive cutting or trimming for the clearance of wide slicks is not allowed in 1960!
1961 the rule for treat width is seen in the Wheelbase section. It requires each car in the street section to have a stock wheelbase and tread width. In the fender section, fenders may now be altered for clearance for wide racing slicks.These rules stay in effect through 1966.
In 1967 the fender rule is modified to include all fenders that were modified should have the cut edges re-rolled. As I have stated in the past, to me the term Gasser and the Gasser Class racing died in 1967. That will be for another discussion for a different day. I will go on because our AA/GS Heads up division is geared towards 1968-69.
1968 there are no changes to these 2 rules. Gone is the dual purpose street division.
1969 is the first time we see Street Eliminator for cars that self-start and are capable of street use. The fender rule and the tread width rule are unchanged.
So the answer to the question to cut or not to cut is simple, what era are you building your gasser to look like? Early with skinny tires, don’t cut! Most will have wider tires and you should cut!