GRP panels bonnet wings boot lid

[Jaffacakekilla]

Just seeing if there is any interest in replacement panels

I have been discussing this on another forum to se if there is anyone wanting them, and thought I would post on here also.

I have no input into this by the way, I am just looking for some myself and have found someone to produce them if enough people are intersted.

[brgmg]

As per the other forum - I am!

[Jaffacakekilla]

cheers

I don't know how many orders are needed to make it worth while him making the moulds, but there seem to be a fair few people interested.

[Rob Bell]

Consider me interested

[Jaffacakekilla]

I thought that there would be a lot more interest from the other forum, but so far not many paople have put them selves forward.

I have been contacted by the guy who makes the panels, and I might be taking my bonnet down to him for him to make a mould, or buck, or what ever its called.

Not sure where the guy lives yet, so may be a long journey.

Anyway, it looks like the bonnet may be a goer to begin with.

Then once thats made, if there is enough intesrest in that, I would have thought he would do other panels.

I suppose he doesn't want to put too much time into it, if he only sells a couple.


I will keep you posted on any progress

[Rob Bell]

I contacted Smith and Deakin last year - they were very interested in making moulds and manufacturing standard MGF panels in GRP. But they weren't interested in the 200HPD style bonnet I was also keen on having reproduced - but if I were to fund the mould, they would manufacture for me...

Unfortuantely, all my savings are currently invested in our house at the moment, but S&D could present someone with an opportunity to kick start this project. Moreover, I believe that there is significant latent interest in GRP panels - particular among those who compete or track their MGs.

Who are you planning to use Jaffa?

[Jaffacakekilla]

looks likely now that the bonnet will be the 200hpd design when complete.

[Rob Bell]

Makes sense. I'd also tried to get one of the GRP ebay retailers interested in this project - the one who makes the side scoops for the the MGF. He was very interested, but I suspect that he's innundated with other projects, and we're no further forward.

Would be interested in the 200HPD bonnet if/when it becomes available - what is the unit price looking like? My other option is to make something myself as a one off - likely very similar to what Matt Parker has done to his F (which was at Fest this year) - see picture below:

[Kasper]

There is a bloke in Belgium who has this same bonnet but without the holes. (as just visual tuning).

I guess this one has cut out the openings by himself. Now just find a good way to get rid of the water after a shower
I'll have a browse to trace a picture.

[Rob Bell]

There are a few bonnets like this around Kasper. I recall that there was a chap from Greece (IIRC) who had fitted a functioning vent some years ago. It was on the xpower forum - and I am sure that the archives are still there.

There are plenty of GRP bonnet vents - probably more for Japanese performance cars - but are generic and could be fitted successfully into an MGF or TF bonnet. But most people won't have the body working skills to carry out successfully, and would therefore prefer to buy an off the shelf panel and get it sprayed up as a replacement for the standard item.

I'd prefer light weight GRP - as I want to fit it to project Shed

[brgmg]

I am particularly keen for a grp bonnet and grp tf bootlid. Dont think many of the motorsport F owners would be too keen on the 200 HPD bonnet as that would put them into race specials class. I am happy to fund initial (reasonable) set up costs for good quality grp bonnets and boot lids if someone could pm me the details of a reliable GRP contractor. Rob, do you want to chat about it?

[Rob Bell]

No problem Marc. Interestingly, S&D weren't talking about anything significant in terms of financial investment for GRP panels (unless we were talking about the 200HPD inspired panel) - they're just after an original panel to take molds from. And of course, I happen to have a 'spare' bonnet and a couple of doors that they could use. I do have a GRP TF boot lid, but sadly, it's not in the best condition, so would not be a good starting point for a new panel - but I'd have thought it would be possible to get hold of one?

The main fly-in-the-ointment is their location relative to mine. Birmingham is quite a trip when you're time-poor (as well as cash-poor at the moment!!!)

[brgmg]

Rob, I'm happy to buy a TF bootlid from fleabay as a mould. But we'd need a van to get it, your bonnet and the doors up to S&D. Am happy to fund that too and (hopefully) recoup the cost through sale of the grp panels. I even have a lock up where they could be stored if S&D not happy to do so! Maybe we should have a chat about logistics!

[Rob Bell]

Good idea Marc. Would be good to get the project back on track - I've let it go cold this year...

Drop me a pm or an email (use robert dot bell at doctors dot org dot uk)

[Topless]

As I have some rust in rear panels and sills of my 95 F I could be interested in those.
Des "Topless"

[Jaffacakekilla]

Hi all , sorry not been on for a bit.

I will get in touch with Deltaparts, the guy that was going to make the bits and see how things are.

I think mhe was waiting to see what interest there was.