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nwcc Member

Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 453 Location: Pacific Northwest 158.80 points
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject: Fiberglass or No Fiberglass. That is the question!! |
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The 70 Nova chassis is almost done. Next on my list is the body.
at a minimum I am going with glass bumpers, trunk lid, and hood. But I am considering going to a 1 piece glass front end.
So my questions are:
Should I go with a 1 piece front end?
Based on first hand knowledge. What company has the best fiberglass parts? |
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af2 Member

Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 5579 Location: grassvalley, ca 71896.24 points
1933 Willys Coupe
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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I would go with carbon fiber to loose weight. Or go with less matt and get there. I use Kickerkraft for everything on my car and never had an issue! Matt and George have been doing this for probably close to 30 years. They have some bad ass cars and boats out there running and you will see them at different NHRA/ Nostalgia/ Boat events. # 408-776-1444 If they don't answer call again and don't leave a message. Or you could leave one and hope for the best!  |
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disturbthepeace1 Member

Joined: 14 Jun 2003 Posts: 303 Location: Stanton, CA 10195.60 points
1965 Volkswagen Beetle
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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The only thing i can say about fiberglass frontends is, don't expect them to fit!....
I have two different cars with front ends and I cant count the hours I have spent straghting out the camaro's... I have hardly even touch the one on my bug, just because I know exactly how much of a bitch its going to be......
But on the other hand the bug wieghs 1310lbs and the camaro should be under 3k easy...
So, if your planning on running a full interior street car I say ditch the 12' sub and the rear seats before you put a front end on.. but if your running a race car, its most practical way to go on a diet and i say go for it... _________________ http://www.dtpprecisionrebuilding.com |
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af2 Member

Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 5579 Location: grassvalley, ca 71896.24 points
1933 Willys Coupe
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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disturbthepeace1 wrote: | The only thing i can say about fiberglass frontends is, don't expect them to fit!....
I have two different cars with front ends and I cant count the hours I have spent straghting out the camaro's... its most practical way to go on a diet and i say go for it... |
I totally agree with making it fit!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is the fun of fiberglass or carbon fiber! Which ever floats the boat!!!!!!!! |
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Big Dave Moderator

Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 2663 Location: Tampa Florida 120538.84 points
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Personally, since I have done this in the past and liked the result; I would go for inner and outer fenders made of glass and bolted together with grade five aluminum alloy bolts and nuts (aircraft quality). Use the steel hood hinge with a supper light weight spring on a glass cowl induction hood with inner ribs. Lots of grey primer, some red-oxide primer where you would expect to find rust repair patches, a few dabs of black filler here and there with some yellow bondo applied to the hood and front fenders.
Paint the inner fenders and inside of outer fenders black The underside of hood some factory color other than the car's actual color and stay away from strong back lights (it spoils the effect to have the motor silhouetted against the glass fenders). Add glass doors and then try hard to keep the front wheels on the ground.
Big Dave |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3483 Location: Houston,Texas 347040.52 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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af2 Member

Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 5579 Location: grassvalley, ca 71896.24 points
1933 Willys Coupe
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Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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Holy crap! 13 pages. The guy is good! |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3483 Location: Houston,Texas 347040.52 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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af2 wrote: | Holy crap! 13 pages. The guy is good! |
now that ive seen it done, I HAVE TO TRY IT!!! _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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Big Dave Moderator

Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 2663 Location: Tampa Florida 120538.84 points
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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I made my own fiberglass parts with the help of my wife's cousin who was building Morgan Yachts at the time in Oldsmar, FL. He was making boats, and ambulances, and RV campers and even patio furniture to turn a buck at the time. He had all kinds of specialized equipment to make the job easier. All I had to do was to make a wooden box and pull a mold (kind of like Plaster of Paris but different) from my steel part (it was a lot harder than it sounds) He and his crew would shoot gel coat and chop to make a light weight part for me. Without his facility to do this I would not recommend it, unless you like body work (I hate body work as being much to much work intensive for the amount of enjoyment I get back after the sweat is washed off. But then I don't even wash my cars either, because I would rather spend that time on mechanical work.)
Big Dave |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3483 Location: Houston,Texas 347040.52 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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ive done a little glass work myself...
youre right, its a LOT of work. i lost count in the hours i have in the back of my car. i just want to try carbon fiber on something. dont think i would go as extreme as that Mustang though. _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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af2 Member

Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 5579 Location: grassvalley, ca 71896.24 points
1933 Willys Coupe
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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You made that scooter? WOW! No wonder you have so many hours in it. Bought one at Kmart for 20 bucks 10 years ago.
Kidding aside the body is bichen the way you did the blending and will be a head turner when you drive it. |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3483 Location: Houston,Texas 347040.52 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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af2 wrote: | You made that scooter? WOW! No wonder you have so many hours in it. Bought one at Kmart for 20 bucks 10 years ago.
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you should have seen me trying to put that big block in it  _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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