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I don't want to promise too much at this stage but I have sourced the original camloc pins with bucket handle and the rest of the ex Porsche Motorsport camloc recievers and bevels to suit. I have enough to produce 34 bonnets.
I have drawn up full tech drawings for the original style brackets and found someone who can make up the pressed brackets (this was one of the most difficult parts of the jigsaw!
I have all the dimensions and detail off the original Porsche MotorSport bonnet and am currently getting tech drawings together for a very accurate copy of the underside of the bonnet. There is some work still to be done but I'm hoping the first bonnet will be out of the mould and ready for test fitting by the end of the year.
The intention is for the bonnet to be a slavishly detailed copy of the original, with the same construction methodology, same fibreglass lay up, same dimensions and smae level of finish ... even the same part # on the bonnet underside. The factory bonnets were built to a pretty good standard of finish - substantially better than the currently available glass bonnets that I've seen. They also have a different underside to stock layout to accommodate the recessed bonnet pins and generally save weight.
One deviance from the original may be provision for mounting of stock gas struts as used on the later S2 Firehawk cars in addition to provision for the manual stay as used on the Escort series cars. I am also looking into the use of higher tech resins than were available in the late 80's which offer greater strength and less weight. The original Escort series bonnet that I'm using for dimensions and details is not particularly light. I'd like the final item to be sub 20lb. For the sale of originality and cost I am not minded to look at carbon fibre options at this stage.
I've checked out shipping options and subject to interest I am planning to send 10 bonnets to USA where they will distributed from a warehouse ex Carson CA.
Costs are still to be finalized but to get to achieve the level of detail and finish I'm aiming for is not cheap. I'm guessing the bonnets will be somewhere between $850 - $1000USD ex Carson CA. The hardware package including pins, receivers and brackets is likely to be around $100 - $150USD.
Below is pics of pins that I stumbled upon in a bankrupt stick clearance which started the journey
I have the correct pins, guides and receivers. I have the drawings and a manufacture set up for the brackets but am just doing a final check on dims against and original set of brackets. I won't be pressing the button on the production of the brackets until the first bonnet comes out and I am totally happy with it.
I need to fit all this around a demanding job and a busy family so timelines will need to be flexible.
Not really planning to sell the hardware separately at this stage. I have a limited supply for 34 bonnets. If I do not get orders for 34 bonnets then I will look to clear the hardware at that stage.
I am in New Zealand a long way from Europe but only 7 days shipping from Los Angeles. We make most of the America Cup racing yachts here in NZ so have a good number of skilled FRP guys.
If there were 10 people wanting bonnets in Europe I could ship to a single destination. Sea shipping is not too bad. It is approx $150USD per bonnet from Auckland to LA. Shouldn't be to much different to Europe. I'd need to check it out but Germany looks to be a practical destination ... and somewhat appropriate
There is plenty of work to do before I look into shipping. Really at this stage just letting the community know that the project is live and getting a feel for levels of interest.
There is a lot of work required to get one built for my car and seems sensible to spread the love (and cost) a bit if there is the interest.
Thanks Mike! ... I have a few interesting 944 one off projects that I'd like to share with the community down the line but this is the first out of the blocks.
I've always thought the Cup Car bonnet was very attractive and loved the fasteners that have an interesting Porsche lineage
I would buy a hood for sure do you have a price point before shipping yet?
Thanks for the interest. At this stage the price ex Carson CA is looking to be between $850 and $1000USD for the bonnet and around $150USD for the hardware including cup car brackets. These are only guideline prices. I need to be sure that I'm happy with the standard of the bonnet before prices are finalised. It is looking promising so far.
If the project proceeds I will be sending 10 bonnets to USA and so far I have expressions of interest in 5 including yours. The plan at this stage is to make a total of max 34 bonnets for distribution in New Zealand, Australia, USA and maybe Europe.
Hi Shortyboy ... I'm sure that you could sort shipping from Carson 90220 to Hawaii but I can't at this stage get involved in that. If you want to make some enquiries. Assume 5' x 5' and 30lb including packaging material.
11-04-2012, 05:12 PM
