Hi Everyone
Just new to the forum today and need your help OR my Mate does but although he is good with his hands he's not good with computers having said that I'm just learning myself.
Do you remember There was a fibreglass mini bodyshell made by BL at one time I believe they were for the Chilean market.
My Mate has the original mold which has been modified slightly ( de-seemed shell ) and slightly squarer doors as in they dont curve in at the bottom like the metal door does allbeit only by 5/8"
Do you think that there would be any call for fiberglass shells. I have spoken to him at length and he says he could probably make a complete shell in a week.
I know that heritage are making new metal shells but I have been told that they are about 3 grand and as we all know metal eventually rusts
Any replies would be greatfully received
Kind Regards
Fiberglass Mini Shell ( De-seemed)
Started by
Guest_redgolf_*
, May 02 2008 12:17 AM
11 replies to this topic
#2
Pie
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 12:31 AM
There are currently companies out there who ake spint shells or minus shells. I know MRA minis make them as well as a few other companies.
#3
Dan
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 12:34 AM
Where does your mate have this mould? The Mini Cord shells were made locally in South America, not by BL in the UK. We have some members in Venezuela with Mini Cords I think.
If your mate tries to produce Mini shaped fibreglass shells for sale, he will probably get sued by BMW. The only company licenced to produce GRP shells recently went bankrupt and shut down. They had the only copy shell that could be produced and an old agreement with Rover to produce it. There probably would be a small market for them but he'd be taking a big risk in doing it.
If your mate tries to produce Mini shaped fibreglass shells for sale, he will probably get sued by BMW. The only company licenced to produce GRP shells recently went bankrupt and shut down. They had the only copy shell that could be produced and an old agreement with Rover to produce it. There probably would be a small market for them but he'd be taking a big risk in doing it.
#4
Guest_redgolf_*
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 12:48 AM
The mould he has is the original one made by a company in Peel in the Isle of Man the very same company who made the Peel 50 many years ago. ( A single seater micro car with a lawnmower engine I think LOL!!)
Some moulds I believe were shipped out to Chilie and laid up there and the engines and subframes were also shipped out in crates. The company in Peel as I understand it won the contract to make the moulds many many moons ago
Tell me if you know any different
Some moulds I believe were shipped out to Chilie and laid up there and the engines and subframes were also shipped out in crates. The company in Peel as I understand it won the contract to make the moulds many many moons ago
Tell me if you know any different
Edited by redgolf, 02 May 2008 - 01:00 AM.
#5
millsminis
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 08:23 AM
Moved to Mini chat....
#6
Dan
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 06:22 PM
I just didn't think there's be any moulds left here is all.
Your friend should talk to one of our members (Body Stylist) who was trying to get the Domino shell back into production recently. Since the mould you have was for producing original equipment there may be a way to get the shells into production. When it turned out that there weren't enough Domino mould parts left to get a shell put together he kind of gave up but he knows all about the various permissions from Rover for producing shells and how BMW view the various GRP bodies. I did actually mention the Cord shell to him before but didn't know there were any moulds left here. This could be a real find. Since the Cord shell was doubtless designed to be produced only for sale directly to Rover themselves and only used in South America any contract would probably prohibit selling the shells directly to the public and BMW will not grant a new contract to anyone. It would be worth some research, the Cord shell is better than the Domino anyhow and if it could be legally put into production I'm sure there'd be a market.
Your friend should talk to one of our members (Body Stylist) who was trying to get the Domino shell back into production recently. Since the mould you have was for producing original equipment there may be a way to get the shells into production. When it turned out that there weren't enough Domino mould parts left to get a shell put together he kind of gave up but he knows all about the various permissions from Rover for producing shells and how BMW view the various GRP bodies. I did actually mention the Cord shell to him before but didn't know there were any moulds left here. This could be a real find. Since the Cord shell was doubtless designed to be produced only for sale directly to Rover themselves and only used in South America any contract would probably prohibit selling the shells directly to the public and BMW will not grant a new contract to anyone. It would be worth some research, the Cord shell is better than the Domino anyhow and if it could be legally put into production I'm sure there'd be a market.
#7
BJst416
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 06:54 PM
I recently had a talk about the cord shells in Caracas as there are molds left in Venezuela and are now privately owned.
As I understand it, there will be too much involved into getting a full shell into production but it could be made and sold by panels.
Some one wanted to name them "coupe" shells, since that’s not a BMW registered name.
The minis produced in Venezuela were named 'Mini Coupe' in 91 and 92. In late 92 they changed to Mini Cord.
This has always been chitchat in all mini communities and I doubt there will be anyone willing to overcome all the legalities of mass producing these shells.
And with BMW wanting to close down everything that includes the word Mini (as in classic mini) in it then this becomes more of an issue.
I would love to see FG shells being made, I would buy 3, lol with all the parts I have been collecting I'd build my own minis here
As I understand it, there will be too much involved into getting a full shell into production but it could be made and sold by panels.
Some one wanted to name them "coupe" shells, since that’s not a BMW registered name.
The minis produced in Venezuela were named 'Mini Coupe' in 91 and 92. In late 92 they changed to Mini Cord.
This has always been chitchat in all mini communities and I doubt there will be anyone willing to overcome all the legalities of mass producing these shells.
And with BMW wanting to close down everything that includes the word Mini (as in classic mini) in it then this becomes more of an issue.
I would love to see FG shells being made, I would buy 3, lol with all the parts I have been collecting I'd build my own minis here
#8
BJst416
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 07:13 PM
Sorry to extend myself so much.
I meant to add, the FB minis in chile were only produced in the mid 70s (can't remember the years) and were know as the "mini fibras" and i undestand that they came from a factory in Uruguay.
I saw one of those minis here in Venezuela and they were a bit diferent, apart from being deseamed, the rear window is a bit more slanted, more of a fastback look (not by much though) and the location of the bonnet rod is different. Sorry no pics.
There is a member here I belive his s/name is Cooper_S or Clubman_S who is from chile and can confirm or correct me with regards to this info.
On a different note, the mini moke is being produced again as kit cars, worth taking a look: www.minimokeusa.com
I meant to add, the FB minis in chile were only produced in the mid 70s (can't remember the years) and were know as the "mini fibras" and i undestand that they came from a factory in Uruguay.
I saw one of those minis here in Venezuela and they were a bit diferent, apart from being deseamed, the rear window is a bit more slanted, more of a fastback look (not by much though) and the location of the bonnet rod is different. Sorry no pics.
There is a member here I belive his s/name is Cooper_S or Clubman_S who is from chile and can confirm or correct me with regards to this info.
On a different note, the mini moke is being produced again as kit cars, worth taking a look: www.minimokeusa.com
Edited by BJst416, 02 May 2008 - 07:16 PM.
#9
paulrockliffe
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 07:18 PM
Everyday is a school day. 
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#10
jefinabox
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Posted 03 May 2008 - 07:47 AM
I'd love a FB shelled mini, didn't someone start making the minus again?
#11
nicdawson1978
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Posted 13 November 2010 - 10:40 AM
I know this topic is a little old... But the talk of fibreglass shells has always interested me...
I've had some experience working with fibreglass, and have got a few rebuilds to do, so I was thinking about producing a set of molds and consequentially shells from an original mini to do this to save me a lot of time, work, and money.
Being an identical copy you wouldnt be able to tell it was a fibreglass mini unlike some fibreglass replicas on the market.
Obv for my own use this would be fine, but if someone was to ask me to produce one for them, friend, etc, I was just wondering on the legal issue of it all?
Would the word replica in the title shift the legality?
I never thought about it before until I read this thread, but now it has got my thinking, obv I dont want to be sued by a big company...
Any advice or links anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.
I've had some experience working with fibreglass, and have got a few rebuilds to do, so I was thinking about producing a set of molds and consequentially shells from an original mini to do this to save me a lot of time, work, and money.
Being an identical copy you wouldnt be able to tell it was a fibreglass mini unlike some fibreglass replicas on the market.
Obv for my own use this would be fine, but if someone was to ask me to produce one for them, friend, etc, I was just wondering on the legal issue of it all?
Would the word replica in the title shift the legality?
I never thought about it before until I read this thread, but now it has got my thinking, obv I dont want to be sued by a big company...
Any advice or links anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.
#12
Ethel
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Posted 13 November 2010 - 11:29 AM
Rover did register the Mini shape as a trademark which would give them perpetual title to it - they'd own it forever. Personally, I don't think they'd be able to enforce it, and I doubt they'd try unless someone was making a lot of money out of it, in case they lost. It would have been a registered design but that only last for around 20 years and lapsed ages ago - the reason they abused the principle of trademarks. You couldn't call it a Mini, there's no disputing they own the name(s).
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