18 replies to this topic

[dan_g]

Hi, in my spare time i make fibreglass components, i was just wondering if the fiberglass panels that ive seen on the market are very popular as i am thinking about expanding what i make and offer fibreglass mini bodywork?

 

Is it worth the expense of making molds for the mini or do people prefer metal?

 

Thanks

[rally1380]

I'm after a good GRP clubman bonnet if you want your first mini product customer???

 

Wheel arches are super popular in the mini community...so theres another idea.

 

Dashboards also popular as long as the design is right.

 

Lots of business to be done in the motorsport sector too.

[tiger99]

There are too many people already doing arches, dashboards, etc, but I see potential for aerodynamic aids, front and rear, that, if possible, will fit over the bumpers, so you can keep some body protection in the event of minor bumps. Or, the mouldings could be foam filled and provide a superior bumper function as well as improving aerodynamics, but they would make the car longer. Issigonis would turn in his grave. Apparently he was rather upset when the Mini turned out to be 1/4" over his 10 feet target. I don't know why he did not just have the bumpers flattened slightly, maybe internal BMC politics got in the way.

 

Also, a roof rear edge spoiler may be beneficial in reducing drag.

 

Such things ideally need input from an aerodynamicist and some wind tunnel testing, so development would not be cheap, but I do think that there is room for such things in the market even now.

[dan_g]

Rally you have pm, thanks for the ideas tiger, didn't think of doing aero aids first step time to get a mini in cad!

If anyone has any ideas/ requests please pm me.

[alex-95]

What about covers for the rear companion bins like they had on the later ones? or some slightly bigger deeper ones

[tiger99]

Oh, and maybe a speaker panel to fit under the back seat. Would need double skin with foam core, I think.

[Alex_B]

I have been contemplating doing some fiberglassing as a side business to my uni studies but I dont think its going to be financially viable to be honest, most of the GRP components I have seen on t'internet are all quite expensive due to the time required to design and build them and if im honest i dont think a lot of the mini community spend that much on plastic styling products. 

But there are certain things which you could make which sell, they would have to be original and different however. 
The way I was going to do it (and may still) is to design some bits that I personally would want on my cars and then if they seem popular, making a few more to sell and see where that goes. that way I have achieved something that I like without wasting time making chocolate teapots 

[Artful Dodger]

apart from the rear quaters, roof and basic shell mini people love fibreglass panels  

 

front ends are very common, from the front seams forwards, boot lids, arches, possibly doors, bumpers  

 

the list goes on!

[kezzkitkat]

Front ends, mostly 2 peice clubman+roundnose but as above
one thing I never really hear of is a panel so personal wouldn't bother unless yyou have customers for them

[jpw1275]

Oval centre binnacle with the rev counter attachment or fibreglass centre arm rest instead of mdf.

[mini-geek]

I'm surprised nobody has said it... But quality has got to be the most important thing..

If you can make excellent quality, perfect fit panels at a low price you'll make money...

[md7708]

another idea (maybe slightly expensive though) 

 

how about a full mini shell to cover a space frame,  one of the first, kind of rust proof mini's 

[dan_g]

another idea (maybe slightly expensive though) 
 
how about a full mini shell to cover a space frame,  one of the first, kind of rust proof mini's 

Do people prefer seamed or deseamed? Part of what I do in my spare time involves making chassis so this is all possible.

Also if people could send me some examples of what they do and don't like it would be great, just so I know what to avoid, don't want to go to the trouble and expense of making the molds only to find no one likes the look lol.

I'm moving into a nice 500sqft workshop soon so as soon as this happens I'll be able to make a start.

Dan

[creakyjaws5533]

Metro splitter ;)

[benjy_18]

Door skins!!! Please make some door skins