cost of one off bodywork?

[cymtriks]

Has anyone a cost for a one off body work in aluminium and in fibreglass?

I've heard that some kit cars started off as a one off aluminium bodyshell. When commercial interest was confirmed moulds for fibreglass were then taken from the aluminium original. Apparently this was thought to be cheaper than making a clay/plaster buck, making fibreglass moulds and then making bodywork. Given the amount of time and effort involved in making original styling fibre glass bodywork it might be true.

Any thoughts?

[falcemob]

It would depend on the car. I have a Dtype replica and you would be talking in excess of £20K for ally and I was quoted £4K+ for a lightweight grp body.



>> Edited by falcemob on Saturday 22 January 21:57

[D-Angle]

As Falcemob says, it depends on the car. some vehicles have a lot more bodywork than others - this is especialy true when talking about kits.

As an example, if we were asked to quote for a seven-esque car, it would come in at 10-12k if you just wanted a one-off, and around 20k if you wanted professional moulds to produce bodywork for sale. This is for a GRP bodyshell, including design and styling work, produced from a clay buck.

But of course it can vary quite a bit - an LSIS kit doesn't have a lot of bodywork.

[vojx]

D-Angle said:

As an example, if we were asked to quote for a seven-esque car, it would come in at 10-12k if you just wanted a one-off, and around 20k if you wanted professional moulds to produce bodywork for sale. This is for a GRP bodyshell, including design and styling work, produced from a clay buck.

And for a Stratos-sized body - i don't think i wanna know, unless i win the lottery (better start buying a ticket)

do i get a discount for already finishing the styling??

[FlossyThePig]

Caterham had an alloy body made for the Caterham 21.

Richard Oakes follows the clay/plaster buck process. Contact him and you will find his price is high because he does more than just the exterior. His knowledge of boat construction was included in the design of various monocoque cars.

Hugh

[cinqster]

If it was my money and the choice was ally I'd be looking at Poland:

http://tinyurl.com/46gkn

>> Edited by cinqster on Tuesday 25th January 01:59

[ElCamino]

I don't know if it's doable, but is making your own an option? There are some sites and good books with lots of info on how to do such a project. The guys at www.ddrmotorsport.com posted a photo gallery of the proces. There's also a lot of info on the 'LaBala' project on www.grabercars.com The builder, Steve Graber, is also a regular on this forum I believe
Maybe with some help, it could be the cheapest alternative.

Just a mindfart

[sgraber]

I'm not really a regular over here, more of a casual observer.

When I first started my project it was intended simply as a one-off for my own pleasure. However. The mold making part of car building is expensive. I have been quoted $15,000 to $25,000 for a complete set of production molds. Not exactly small change considering how little I have managed to spend on the project so far.


Cymtriks, if I were building a true one-off body, I would use the rqriley glass over foam method. www.rqriley.com/frp-foam.htm