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Author: Subject: fibreglass beetle body.
Kwik

posted on 19/6/11 at 09:51 AM Reply With Quote
fibreglass beetle body.

i own a classic mini at the moment and i have come to the conclusion i don't like rust (surprise surprise)

i will be at uni for the next 3 years come September and want something low maintenance but still have that classic/iconic look.

i have found: http://www.absmotorsport.net/index.php/mini/body-shells/fra-mini-body-shell-delux-kit.html

which is the monocoque part of the mini entirely out of fiberglass, so i was wondering if there was anything similar for the beetle?

i know a lot of you will now say that the chassis will rust, but i have found a solution to that already

reason for the bug? plenty of spares, easy, simple and everything i like about the mini, except the mini is impractical, not rear wheel drive and hates those stupid trapezium speed bumps that normal cars can straddle and i have to slow right down for...

i thought its worth a shot asking on here before joining a vw forum just in case someone on here knows...

thank you
chris

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thesecondprize

posted on 19/6/11 at 10:01 AM Reply With Quote
Hi,

You can get GRP wings, bonnets, engine lids, doors etc, but as far as I know, no one makes a complete GRP shell for road use. (Obviously a lot of the drag beetles have plastic bodies.)

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Triton

posted on 19/6/11 at 10:02 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Kwik
i own a classic mini at the moment and i have come to the conclusion i don't like rust (surprise surprise)

i will be at uni for the next 3 years come September and want something low maintenance but still have that classic/iconic look.

i have found: http://www.absmotorsport.net/index.php/mini/body-shells/fra-mini-body-shell-delux-kit.html

which is the monocoque part of the mini entirely out of fiberglass, so i was wondering if there was anything similar for the beetle?

i know a lot of you will now say that the chassis will rust, but i have found a solution to that already

reason for the bug? plenty of spares, easy, simple and everything i like about the mini, except the mini is impractical, not rear wheel drive and hates those stupid trapezium speed bumps that normal cars can straddle and i have to slow right down for...

i thought its worth a shot asking on here before joining a vw forum just in case someone on here knows...

thank you
chris




As it happens I know just the man, last time I was in his workshop he was moulding a "bug" body I will ask how he is getting on and also what or who it is for just in case it's a "client only" thing.





My Daughter has taken over production of the damn fine Triton race seats and her contact email is emmatrs@live.co.uk.

www.tritonraceseats.com

www.hairyhedgehog.com

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mangogrooveworkshop

posted on 19/6/11 at 11:15 AM Reply With Quote
The beetle cup had plastic body's and space frames






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Kwik

posted on 19/6/11 at 02:17 PM Reply With Quote
not really looking for a space frame bug, as i do want to use it daily, just low maintenance..

i might get in contact with a few custom fibreglass manufacturers... surely it wont be much more than those minis?

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Triton

posted on 19/6/11 at 02:55 PM Reply With Quote
Lot of work to create the moulds if going to a full monocoque tub, I know as I'm working on my own daft composite monocoque..plenty bit head scratching and thinking inside out back to front..





My Daughter has taken over production of the damn fine Triton race seats and her contact email is emmatrs@live.co.uk.

www.tritonraceseats.com

www.hairyhedgehog.com

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Volvorsport

posted on 19/6/11 at 03:04 PM Reply With Quote
not only a lot of work , but wont be a decent monocoque if you follow the steel chassis exactly , you could of course re engineer dr ferdinands work , it would be much easier to spaceframe it .





www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus

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Kwik

posted on 19/6/11 at 03:57 PM Reply With Quote
but my point was that its been done with the mini, so why not the bug?

i know it wont be very strong and the absmotorsport site do recommend roll cages with the mini kits, but i think a spaceframe would just lose the simplicity of the beetle.

bassically i just want a rust proof beetle. if i cant find a fibreglass one i guess changine the bonnet, doors, boot etc will be a start...

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CNHSS1

posted on 19/6/11 at 04:28 PM Reply With Quote
the Mick Hill V8 beetle moulds still exist





"Racing is life, everything else, before or after, is just waiting"---Steve McQueen

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