http://www.hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html (http://"http://www.hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html")
I found this site and was wondering if it's a good idea? The trunk lid I need and doors would be nice, maybe even the hood. Any feelings from you guys. I know the doors are probaly out for all the power I have ( power locks, Speaker, Power Windows) but does the rest seem worth it?
Forget about doors on a street driven car, unless you're suicidal. Fiberglass doors have zero side impact protection, so if somebody T-bones you, you're hamburger
Just find good stock replacements.
What about the trunk and hood?
Read above....
If weight savings is what you're after, you can cut away all the bracing from all your stock body panels and be just as light as the fiberglass (or really close) and that is free.
Ok, I take it all of the fiberglass stuff is ONLY for racing. I have learned from my failed idea's and thank you all
I wouldn't use any of it on a street driven car... maybe a 'glass hood and trunklid, and yes, even a fiberglass fender if one were made, but never a full clip like that (and as I mentioned above, definitely not the doors :hick:) Those fiberglass parts at that website are basically made for full-on race cars, and likely aren't much for strength at all.
I would like to see fiberglass replacement fenders become available though, especially since it seems that steel replacements are no longer available...
At some point people with rusty fenders are going to have to have a body shop cut out the bad part of the fender and weld a replacement panel on. These things are fast becoming old cars with no parts.
I wish I could find fiberglass fenders and quarter pannels. I hate the rust on my car and replacement pannels don't even exist. Look at where my rust is on the domain site. They all rust there but no pannels are made?!?!?!Does not seem right.
There just isn't enough demand for parts. It's not a Stang' so no one ( or not enough ) people know that we need the parts. Thats why I want to go glass.
Most fiber glass hoods, especially ones for under $800, don't open, they just sit there or lift off ( no hinge structure) so they're pretty impracticle. As for the rest, yeah, they're pretty much for off road racing, ie- no real headlights or cut outs for'em.
i think i know where some hoods are for under 800 that will work with the hinge/front pin set up and i think perhaps some fenders too :-?
Where would I find one of these?
Let us know where to get them intimidator03.
i wish i knew how to do 'glass and i would make some molds and next thing you know we have an aftermaket panel supplier. but i dont see that happening
and for weight saving some of those glass hoods are just as heavy or heavier than the steel ones
I think i am going to attempt to make a few fiberglass parts. probably wont be til early next year but ive got the front end off my t-bird so i can prepare them for making a mold. I will let everybody know how it turns out. I have a few secret modifications for the parts too.
I think that hood would be good for my cars because they are going to be strip only and would do a lift off hood.