Bespoke Full Fiberglass Body

[Moulder]

I have a project for which I would like to create a bespoke body along the lines of a 1980's F1 car (example below). It is to go on a Roadrunner SR1 and would need to be approximately 3/4 the scale (at a guess) of a the actual F1 car.

Does anyone know of a company that would be able to create from scratch the fiberglass panels based on supplied measurements (existing and to be) or a CAD model if available?

Many thanks.

[Steve_D]

I would think your only way forward is to do it yourself. The time and therefore cost of a company doing that work will be frightening.
You/they would have to start by making a body buck either stand alone or built on the chassis. This would likely be wood, expanded foam, Plaster, body filler etc. until you arrive at the shape you want and a very high level of finish.
From this you would then make moulds and from the moulds the final body panels.

Your better option would be to make your body in light steel tube and ali skin and GF for the rounded/blended bits.

Steve

[Fury1630]

Westgate Composites

http://www.westgatecomposites.com/

[RedAndy]

Tribute Automotive in dorset.... make rebody kits for MX5s and Z3s etc. Chris will also do one off custom stuff, have a look at madaboutkitcars forum to see some of the commissions he does.

[Fastpedeller]

Steve_D said:

I would think your only way forward is to do it yourself. The time and therefore cost of a company doing that work will be frightening.
You/they would have to start by making a body buck either stand alone or built on the chassis. This would likely be wood, expanded foam, Plaster, body filler etc. until you arrive at the shape you want and a very high level of finish.
From this you would then make moulds and from the moulds the final body panels.

Your better option would be to make your body in light steel tube and ali skin and GF for the rounded/blended bits.

Steve

That would be my stance also. If it all goes bad you only have yourself to blame (and less cost) - If it goes well you have all the glory!

[Mistrale]

Better still, find something that looks like what you want, modify it then take a mould.

Or google Furore cars.....

[IanMorewood]

Seem to recall making moulds for a scale (24th scale approx) automotive project back at school, wire frame and a putty like substance applied over I'm sure similar method could be done on a full scale model to make clam shell parts etc.

[Moulder]

Many thanks for all the replies, I will get in contact with the recommended people.

I like the idea of giving it a go myself so will try to create a smallish section and see how it goes. The side pods will be metal so it is really the nose, cockpit area, and rear cover. Sounds simple when you put it like that...

[Moulder]

Mistrale said:

Better still, find something that looks like what you want, modify it then take a mould.

Or google Furore cars.....

Thanks for the reply, I have found this which I think would be ideal...

http://williamianson.com/car/alfa-romeo-formula-1-...

[Yazza54]

Fury1630 said:

Westgate Composites

http://www.westgatecomposites.com/

Andy Westgate is a great bloke to deal with - but I do believe as already mentioned this will be very costly, but I hope you figure something out as I like the idea.

[PAUL500]

You would be better off finding yourself a Formula Vauxhall Lotus Reynard and rebodying it as described. That is what they used in the James Hunt film Rush to replicate a lot of the period 70s cars inc the M23

Not expensive and basically uses the engine from an astra GTE, they seem to sell for around £5k

[Moulder]

PAUL500 said:

You would be better off finding yourself a Formula Vauxhall Lotus Reynard and rebodying it as described. That is what they used in the James Hunt film Rush to replicate a lot of the period 70s cars inc the M23

Not expensive and basically uses the engine from an astra GTE, they seem to sell for around £5k

Thanks for the reply, the main thing is that it is road legal which having had a quick look at a Lotus Reynard it wouldn't be. After a some research it seems easier to start with something that is road legal and make it what you want rather than start with what you want and make it road legal.

[PaulKemp]

Your problem with a car like this with very low nose will be how to integrate lights at the required height
Have a close look at Furore (Russ Bost) for his solutions

[Moulder]

PaulKemp said:

Your problem with a car like this with very low nose will be how to integrate lights at the required height
Have a close look at Furore (Russ Bost) for his solutions

Thanks for the reply. Lights not a problem as it already has those and it should be possible to retain them, either in their current position or a slightly different one (see image below (not mine)). Maybe make an easily removable light pod.

Another option is to remove them and have a "daylight only" MOT but it will still need indicators, etc.

[Fastpedeller]

You could make a mould for both sided of the bonnet or scuttle with headlight at front and mirror to rear!
I think you can go back quite a long way with the headlight (is there a limit) and still comply with IVA. Think Fiat Multipla mk1(maybe not)

[Russ-l1hze]

I have an old Formula Ford body which is not a million miles off what you want for the centre of the car, whether it would go over the Roadrunner chassis I have no idea, but almost certainly easier than starting from scratch even if you cut it up, moved the bits around to where you wanted them & then "bridged the gaps" - I'm not looking for much for the bodywork, but you'd need to collect from Essex, I don't think they'll accept it at the post office!



I dread to imagine the price of the De Cesaris car you linked to (couldn't see a price on the ad) & I don't see them letting you pop along to take a quick splash off the bodywork!!! The sort of shape you're aiming for is a lot easier than modern F1 with all the complex curves & intricate wings etc.

You've not said if the Roadrunner you're basing it on is already road legal - makes life a lot easier if it is as it is then just a rebody & you only have to worry about MoT & C & U regs, rather than IVA

You will find much smaller & neater lights available at www.furoreproducts.co.uk same as used on the Furore Formula cars

[Moulder]

Russ-l1hze said:

I have an old Formula Ford body which is not a million miles off what you want for the centre of the car, whether it would go over the Roadrunner chassis I have no idea, but almost certainly easier than starting from scratch even if you cut it up, moved the bits around to where you wanted them & then "bridged the gaps" - I'm not looking for much for the bodywork, but you'd need to collect from Essex, I don't think they'll accept it at the post office!



I dread to imagine the price of the De Cesaris car you linked to (couldn't see a price on the ad) & I don't see them letting you pop along to take a quick splash off the bodywork!!! The sort of shape you're aiming for is a lot easier than modern F1 with all the complex curves & intricate wings etc.

You've not said if the Roadrunner you're basing it on is already road legal - makes life a lot easier if it is as it is then just a rebody & you only have to worry about MoT & C & U regs, rather than IVA

You will find much smaller & neater lights available at www.furoreproducts.co.uk same as used on the Furore Formula cars

Thanks for the reply, I will drop you a PM about the Formula Ford body. As you say it will be easier to start with something than nothing.

I don't think there was a price in the link, there is one similar to the picture in my opening post for sale which £275,000. This is sufficiently high to put me off asking for a test drive, taking it around the corner, and having my first go at making a plug.

Thanks for the link to the lights, it is already road legal. Anything that would need an IVA was a non-starter as it would make the project more complex and definitely outside of my 5 minute wonder attention span.

[Moulder]

Russ-l1hze, just tried to PM you but your account doesn't allow it, can you send me a message with some contact details and I'll get back to you? Thanks.

[RussBost]

Sorry, I think when PH changed all the usernames & stuff my account settings must have changed, I have now swapped my user name back so people can actually know who they are talking to & changed the access so forum members can contact me - doesn't appear to have changed the username yet, so in case you can't get hold of me my personal email is russbost at googlemail dot com

[Fastpedeller]

I bet you can't put that email into an ebay note though! I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but Ebay has some sophisticated software that stops (every?) attempt, which makes it very frustrating if you want to send a potential purchaser some hi-res photos!