Like stories like this? You’ll see every article as soon as it's published by reading the print edition of Grassroots Motorsports. Subscribe now.
Photo by Anthony Neste
Does this Toyota MR2 look smooth or what? Its secret? Most of the body panels are formed in fiberglass–all done by entrants Dennis Gundersdorff and Scott Bennewitz.
“We had just enough knowledge …
Five Hundred Pounds!?!
That is awesome. and I'm taking notes.
If anyone wants to start making some fiberglass panels....
Just saying.
Are there any pictures from the front?
In reply to accordionfolder :
I would be interested in some more info too.
They're being waaaaay too modest. That's like saying, there's only $473 worth of metal in this Ferrari. Yeah, well that's not where the work is. Raw materials are about 1% of the effort, and anyone who's made a mold understand there are 100's of hours in getting it just right. ONCE you have a good mold, yeah, it's pretty easy to punch out parts, but all the work happens before the first one can be made.
accordionfolder said:Are there any pictures from the front?
I can post one. Give me a sec.
By the way, these photos are from the $2003 Challenge.
And some details:
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Thanks David!
I think my Fiero came in just behind it at the $2008 Challenge autocross.... but I was around 7 tenths slower. There was no chance of making up that much time. Very nice car.
I really loved that car.
And now I realize that I'm just a piker...
alfadriver said:I really loved that car.
Me too! Both end caps were done really well. It's rare that modified bodywork looks better than stock, but this sure did!
rdcyclist said:And now I realize that I'm just a piker...
had to 'urban dictionary' piker, but this is very near the top of car prep on any given year in terms of what I have seen. Plenty of other folks like me who bring something not nearly as well done.
But I love to check these machines out in person and learn to make mine closer and closer...
David S. Wallens said:By the way, these photos are from the $2003 Challenge.
Are you sure?
I wasn’t at the $2003 Challenge, but I saw that car. Did it come more than once?
It’s a beautiful car. What happened to it?
The cowl hood turned into engine cover is brilliant.
...as is the flow-through radiator duct at the front.
"Work of Art"
kb58 said:
They're being waaaaay too modest. That's like saying, there's only $473 worth of metal in this Ferrari. Yeah, well that's not where the work is. Raw materials are about 1% of the effort, and anyone who's made a mold understand there are 100's of hours in getting it just right. ONCE you have a good mold, yeah, it's pretty easy to punch out parts, but all the work happens before the first one can be made.
Totally agree! That being said I have over $1000 in just body filler, primer, and sanding supplies in creating the plug for my Cheetah Roadster.
The fiberglass hood, doors and hatch going onto the 323 aren't going to be nearly as pretty.
In reply to jj :
In this day and age, I think vacuum forming might make more sense. That is what I plan to try on any lightened panels I try to make.
"The supplies only cost them $135 . . . "
Could I ask where you sourced the fiberglass supplies? I'm thinking through a Challenge car right now, my '58 Fiat 600, but the potential cost of the necessary fiberglass resin, hardener, and mat will put me WAY over budget. I could seriously use a source for this.
Thanks—
Put an ad on Craigslist etc asking for out a date resin / cloth
Many companies are making fiberglass parts that have to be certified and needs a paper trail of what they used to make that part , it cannot be out of date materials ,
give it a try ....
You'll need to log in to post.
