Breaker folks, since someone’s just put an idea in my head, what do knackered hoods sell for complete?
Regards, iain
Regards, iain
Curious, What do scrap hoods/ frames go for?? z3
- Thread starter IainP
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Yes Tony, sorry about that, edited to sort it.
Discussion with a mate about moulding things, he eventually mentioned hardtops ( ex Mx-5 owner), and uttered the immortal words “ ah mean, how hard can it be”. I’m hoping it was the beer on his side because the answer to that is Very actually, at least a 6 piece mould.
I think you are asking if someone has a knackered hard top going cheap that you can take a mould from?
I'm involved with repro parts in the slot car (Scalextric) world and the master always has to come off the best example we can find. So not sure if a knackered one is necessarily the right way to go? If I'm interpreting you right that is...
I'm involved with repro parts in the slot car (Scalextric) world and the master always has to come off the best example we can find. So not sure if a knackered one is necessarily the right way to go? If I'm interpreting you right that is...
An idea was put in my head of making a hardtop mould from a soft top frame. Well a buck first, then a mould reusing some soft top attachments. I have all the materials, bar a frame, so negligible cost.
Stupid I know, especially as I have an awful lot on this year, but the more and more I think about it, the more and more I think I’m actually going to be That Stupid.
Stupid I know, especially as I have an awful lot on this year, but the more and more I think about it, the more and more I think I’m actually going to be That Stupid.
Fair enough. You would be in breach of patents anyway I expect if you did a straight copy. 60 year old Scalextric cars Hornby are happy to turn a blind eye to if you make repro bumpers and windscreens. BMW would be all over you probably.
Heck of a job I reckon. The challenge will be in making sure the lower half secures to the chassis and windscreen properly and in a waterproof manner. The shape of the roof not so important. You will have no small part of ironwork to reproduce as well. Not just the hardtop mounting kit itself but where it latches to the windscreen. Also the headlining and rear glass.
To be honest I think the biggest bang for your buck would come from producing a mounting kit only for existing hardtops.
Oh I’m only planning on making the one, not at all interested in producing them. Won’t look like, or fit like, the original.
Came about in discussion about the amount of snow, we had over 18” in one fall, and the temp, low of -17C. I’d only need the thing Mid Dec to end of Feb. rest of time it would hang from garage roof. I believe the BMW one is somewhere around 32-35kg, I believe I can get that below 20kg which would let me get it on/off on my own. Polycarbonate window(s) will save a bit of that.
Came about in discussion about the amount of snow, we had over 18” in one fall, and the temp, low of -17C. I’d only need the thing Mid Dec to end of Feb. rest of time it would hang from garage roof. I believe the BMW one is somewhere around 32-35kg, I believe I can get that below 20kg which would let me get it on/off on my own. Polycarbonate window(s) will save a bit of that.
Is it worth looking what the race car people use? I would’ve thought they would be using lightweight ones (only a wet weather cover really) might be cheap enough to go that route?
Tony.
Tony.
Checked that as soon as my son said it leaked in 2019 Tony, I forget the price but it was considerably more than a new hood in Swansea.
I am absolutely definitely only making one of these.I think that may be what @Mazza said once upon a time about his tank straps
Looking at the top cap right now, this is going to be rather complicated. The top cap needs to come out and be moulded on its own, then be bonded in.
The whole frame needs welded together and guide strips of steel added. Then foamed and shaped.
I can still do it cheap, <£200, even thought I’ll need to buy a few bits and pieces. Famous last words, I’ll have jinxed it now, this has huge potential to go really badly wrong.
Bloody mates and their bright ideas, I hope he pee’s himself
