this would be my attempt at lightweight body panels

 

 

then i can claim its a morgan, as wood is integral to the body XD

this would be my attempt at lightweight body panels

then i can claim its a morgan, as wood is integral to the body XD

Might try that with some cardboard later

hmmm that's interesting, would you be painting it? i will see how the Fabia one goes and see what you think i'm sure a Briskoda discount could be applied 

 

I would always paint them.

They are for go, not for show.

+1 on carbon fibre panels

Ok i see we would all like some i will get hold of some panels to make moulds from them go from there. Richard the yeti bonnet is definitely possible but would need a bonnet in which to mould from. Fibre glass is cheaper and just as light but just not as strong. Will have a serious look into this as i guess a few fellow members would like light weight panels. I do work in composites so i can't see a problem its just a very time consuming job to make a mould but once you have that your pretty much sorted

Ok i see we would all like some i will get hold of some panels to make moulds from them go from there. Richard the yeti bonnet is definitely possible but would need a bonnet in which to mould from. Fibre glass is cheaper and just as light but just not as strong. Will have a serious look into this as i guess a few fellow members would like light weight panels. I do work in composites so i can't see a problem its just a very time consuming job to make a mould but once you have that your pretty much sorted

Sounds like a side earner my friend as you definitely have the skills that people are interested in.

I searched about for Fabia lightweight panels and nobody in the UK seemed to be able to help,short of a figure like Richards as there's no moulds etc

Sounds like a side earner my friend as you definitely have the skills that people are interested in.

Well this is the thought i have had, i have a full set of doors from my octy vrs and a tailgate so may use them as a trail run because i would be doing it at home because i don't think work would appreciate me making panels to sell. We actually have half a Aston Martin Vanquish at work which we developed the A pillars for (they only let us keep half)

Well this is the thought i have had, i have a full set of doors from my octy vrs and a tailgate so may use them as a trail run because i would be doing it at home because i don't think work would appreciate me making panels to sell. We actually have half a Aston Martin Vanquish at work which we developed the A pillars for (they only let us keep half)

I'm sure an Octy owner or two might be interested!

Smith and Deakin only really do stuff they can sell i.e Ford stuff all be it old Fords because of the motorsport pedigree. I think super Skoda may sell a bonnet for a fabia and octy but definitely not a Yeti. Jap stuff is over done because of scene tax, i know for a fact you can get EP3 Civic doors, boot, bonnet etc in CF of the shelf. Perhaps Skoda's have a potential for small batches, so will start to look into this

Smith and Deakin only really do stuff they can sell i.e Ford stuff all be it old Fords because of the motorsport pedigree. I think super Skoda may sell a bonnet for a fabia and octy but definitely not a Yeti. Jap stuff is over done because of scene tax, i know for a fact you can get EP3 Civic doors, boot, bonnet etc in CF of the shelf. Perhaps Skoda's have a potential for small batches, so will start to look into this

I was in contact with them and they said no for that reason I assume as there isn't any profit in it

I was in contact with them and they said no for that reason I assume as there isn't any profit in it

For a large business perhaps not, but for a man in his shed who seems to be getting a reputation to uphold then perhaps so

i think the Octy's had loads of CF and FG panels made for the Rally cars, IIRC the WRC rear wing was CF some proper motorsport kit, which a few were able to make it onto UK cars. but for the Fabia im not sure whether any of it ever made it here.

i think the Octy's had loads of CF and FG panels made for the Rally cars, IIRC the WRC rear wing was CF some proper motorsport kit, which a few were able to make it onto UK cars. but for the Fabia im not sure whether any of it ever made it here.

Fantasy Green panels? How the hell does that make any difference! No Taylor I've not found anything in my intensive search in the UK

Carbon Fibre & Fibre Glass lol

Carbon Fibre & Fibre Glass lol

Sorry I'm not thinking properly

Smith and Deakin only really do stuff they can sell i.e Ford stuff all be it old Fords because of the motorsport pedigree. I think super Skoda may sell a bonnet for a fabia and octy but definitely not a Yeti. Jap stuff is over done because of scene tax, i know for a fact you can get EP3 Civic doors, boot, bonnet etc in CF of the shelf. Perhaps Skoda's have a potential for small batches, so will start to look into this

 

When I looked before the only way to get a Fabia bonnet was from a Czech cup car or leftover from a WRC.

Either way expensive and often with big vent holes.

I have a bonnet and tailgate from just such a car, but would much prefer more stock looking parts.

Me too

What's involved in making a mould?

So that's at least 3 potential sets of panels plus however many BossFox wants for every Fabia in the fleet

Me too

What's involved in making a mould?

Its a very messy process. Firstly must ensure that the panel you mould from must be perfect i.e no dents etc. That must then have mould release applied to it, then a gel coat, then build up the mould in fibre glass ( because its cheap and easy to work with). The mould is then cured and removed and you have produced what is called a female mould. You then repeat the process of preparation and lay your material CF or FG in the mould, cure, remove and then you have a nice (hopefully) smooth perfect male part, which will require trimming

That's a brief break down of the process

Thanks, seems quite involved. I would offer my bonnet, but it's far from perfect unfortunately :(

Thanks, seems quite involved. I would offer my bonnet, but it's far from perfect unfortunately :(

Same issue with mine and most of my doors and wings etc have dents

Well if anyone has any parts surplus i can use i.e a bonnet. It can be filled and smoothed tho Charlie

what about double skinned panels?

 

for example the tailgate from the fabia has two layers the outer and then the inner is a basic frame to hold the tailgate liner, boot lock etc on. obviously in this case you wouldnt fit the tailgate liner or non essential parts.

 

but non the less if you were recreating a tailgate, is there a way you could bond (some kind of glue?) the two layers together to make it more representative of the OEM part?