Custom bodywork - progress?

[LotusNova]

Hi folks,

I'm currently making some panels from scratch (using extruded polystyrene for the bucks). If anyone else is actively doing similar, I'd be interested in swapping thoughts/ideas...

Best regards,
Jon.

[bgullatt]

I'm doing the same. I am curious what to use to bond the polystyrene sheets together. I tried contact cement but when I start shaping it doesn't hold.

Bill Gullatt
Harvest, AL - USA

[LotusNova]

I'm using a general purpose glue. It's water based & the cheapest I could get (the DIY stores' own, so no brand name). Normally used for polystyrene, wood, etc. Takes 24 hours to set, but apart from that seems to work fine. Seems to set to roughly the same hardness as the polystryrene, so surforms/sands down well too.

[andy]

I'm doing a GT car and am using various ways to make the buck. mainly I am cutting up bits of fibreglass /wood, bonding them in place and then covering it with expanding foam and smoothing with filler.
Then where the end finish is weak I am scraping the foam out and back filling with fibreglass.

This process has allowed me to make very good progress in a short period of time.

[LotusNova]

Here's a current pic of me bodywork. I'm currently reshaping the bodyline at the rear, to lower the wheelarches & so she looks less like a pick-up from the back.

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/6174/dscn09233lm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

How's everyone else doing?

[LotusNova]

Now looks less like a duck's arse too.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9341/dscn1155qv2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[JG]

Just a critique, hope you don't mind....

The rear arches (and hence wheels) don't look in proportion to the rear end. The arch looks too small, looks like the rear end is crying out for big ass wheels.:nerd:

John

[LotusNova]

Not at all - It's a work in progress & thanks for the feedback.

Big arse wheels are not my style :) but I agree with the point. I'm working on other solutions to improve the proportions.

Best regards.

[nft]

bump...

any update on the work lotusnova.. this is an interesting project

paul

[LotusNova]

Hiya Paul,

Thanks for the interest, but sadly not much to report. 'Progress' this year is limited to plasterboard & wiring in the loft (I promised my daughter I'd finish her bedroom by her birthday in October):

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2140/dscn0249jx6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Nova's not changed since last September, and I'm probably not going to get in the garage again until Christmas :sad:

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/636/dscn1223rq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

However, I'll be over this weekend for Stoneleigh so at least I'll get a fix to keep the dream alive :smile:

[nft]

unfortunately i wont be able to make stoneleigh.
my kit will be arriving soon and like you i have promised to complete all the diy projects in the house before i start building which includes a full renovation of a room 10m X 5m, plastering, new floor, fireplaces and new radiators... a busy weekend for me..

check out the MEV rocket.. brand new kit ... this is the one i have orderedand hopefully im the first person to get the kit.. as i keep badgering stuart to get it ready for me.

ive started a website here www.mevrocket.talktalk.net

i would like to think i could eventually play around with GRP panels like your doing.. but for now i just want to get the kit on the road..

anyway enjoy your weekend

paul

[DeeJayHarry]

Hiya Jon,

Looks like you could do wiv a ClubNova D.I.Y. Euromeet then:grouphug: :thumb:

DjH

[LotusNova]

Hiya DJH,

CNA EM is definately on, no excuses accepted :)

After 6 attemps at trying to find a shape that looks nice, I've finally thrown in the gauntlet and called in 'the experts'. I know I can build anything from a plan. I now know I can't design something that looks pretty...:(

I should get initial sketches this week, and depending how much time off the loft I can negotiate with my better half, next version will be revealed in Sept :wink:

[Fuoriserie]

Any progress on your project ?

[LotusNova]

The main news is that I now cringe whenever someone bumps this post and I'm forced to view my previous efforts :pound:

Let's just say the prof did more to make it look pretty in 12 hours than I'd managed in 2 years.....final renderings due mid-August, there's one idea I quite like here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0&memberId=60663&t=415878