64 replies to this topic

[Alburglar]

FRA make a monocoque GRP shell too.
www.framini.co.uk

domino plimlico and pick up
www.domino-cars.co.uk

plus the Stig keeps threatening to make his monocoque shells for less than RspR were selling them. Send him a pm.

Nice sig Al,

The black death is almost apon you!!!

Good isn't it
That was at lydenn hill last year. The car at the back was 300bhp and couldn't keep up. Apparently He nearly cried when he got told mine was less than100bhp!

[minimadjonesy]

i thought FRA had stopped trading! Hope not as I want one of their shells!

[Alburglar]

Send him an e-mail.
They used to do a monocoque shell, complete with the extended front to take a vtec.

[Steve@RetroDash]

oh man those fra shells look sweet. I've heard that fibreglass is hard to paint? is this a myth? i remember someone with a pick up with a fibreglass top who said you get star shaped cracks in the paint where it flexes?

boy this is tempting

[minimadjonesy]

i wanted one of their shells witha clubby front!

[Steve@RetroDash]

its tempting but do you guys know if it would be sensible for an everyday mini? risk of accidents etc

is painting a completely different process on grp than metal?

think i'm gonna e-mail him too many questions need answering

[Dan]

A GRP shell will survive car park damage and stuff like that better than a steel one if it's painted properly as it doesn't dent like steel does. If you don't hit it hard enough to crack it (which is pretty hard) then it'll bounce back. The star cracks happen where the panels get hit from behind, flex and crack the paint above. Like in the wings where stones flick off the wheels. If you coat the inside of the panels in the right stuff you can prevent this and you can fit arch liners too.

FRA did shut up shop a while ago, I think the guy who owned it had some sudden family problems or something and sold his business which was called 'The Toy Shop' or something like that. They sold the rights for the shells to someone else but I can't remember who.

[Steve@RetroDash]

ok thanks for your help mate have e-mailed him so hopefully he'll forward it to the relevant people and get back to me

this is a copy of what i sent

Hello my name is Stephen Downs and i was directed to your website by someone on www.theminiforum.co.uk
I hope you can spare the time to answer a few questions for me.

I am currently hoping to buy another classic mini but am fed up of rust, So was interested in a composite mini shell.

1. Are these shells road legal and if so would i be driving around with a Q registration?

2. I am guessing from your site i would have to re-use the donor mini's doors?

3. If i wanted to change the engine in the future would it affect the vehicles identity?

4. Are all the correct holes for subframes, door hinges, boot etc pre drilled?

5. When spraying the desired colour, is a special type of paint used?

6. How much would a GRP shell cost including a front end and can you supply GRP doors?

Many thanks for your time Stephen Downs

[minimadjonesy]

let us know if he's still trading! or if he provides you with a contact!

[Steve@RetroDash]

okay mate will do. keep you informed and up to date.

[Alburglar]

Ask Bristolminimad on the fimer details, but you have to add a flexing agent for anything that will be flexing all the time-same as a plastic bumber, for example. The body can be treated totally normally, but with a different primer

[mini1976]

Did you guys read this in the news section of the fra web site

"January 2005
The molds for the GRP shell are deteriorating, and as a result the quality is suffering, We have decided to stop production of the FRA MINI kits, we apologise for any inconvenience caused but we will only produce parts with a suitable quality. The range of GRP panels continue to expand with new smooth bonnets and MK 1 boot lids."

That doesnt sound too good if they are the only people left makeing fiberglass mini shells. I wonder if they would make you a carbon fiber one (if they are still making them). I know it would cost more but it could be made alot lighter without losing any of the strength

[THedooBZ]

i can see a good business oppurtunity arising for somebody, grp shells will let the mini live on!!!

actually wasnt custom-minis on about producing a grp shell, as i remember them doing a poll not so long ago.

[Steve@RetroDash]

Did you guys read this in the news section of the fra web site

"January 2005
The molds for the GRP shell are deteriorating, and as a result the quality is suffering, We have decided to stop production of the FRA MINI kits, we apologise for any inconvenience caused but we will only produce parts with a suitable quality. The range of GRP panels continue to expand with new smooth bonnets and MK 1 boot lids."

That doesnt sound too good if they are the only people left makeing fiberglass mini shells. I wonder if they would make you a carbon fiber one (if they are still making them). I know it would cost more but it could be made alot lighter without losing any of the strength

now thats a serious knock back!

[Jammy]

i can see a good business oppurtunity arising for somebody, grp shells will let the mini live on!!!

actually wasnt custom-minis on about producing a grp shell, as i remember them doing a poll not so long ago.

I think theres was a spaceframe.

I can't see there being a *massive* market for GRP shells. Just think how many people choose to buy a brand new shell now from BMH, at 3k its a big outlay! You'd also have problems registering them I think. A carbon shell would be the ultimate, but costly, prob at least 10k.