Decisions, decisions...

[Sniper]

I've been collecting parts and pieces for the various projects I have on the go for awhile now. One of them being a Fiat altered intended for the street. The last big piece needed is the body. I was going to build the mold and make the body, and if it turned out properly, possibly pull a couple more for resale to offset the costs. But... I came across this body, it's close by, and in darn nice shape for the most part. $1200.00 FIRM is what he has it listed at. Compared to the cost of new, difference on the dollar and shipping, it's quite reasonable. Being an ex drag car there are a few major things that need to changed however, interior panels that need to be cut out. Front edge of rear wheelwell needs to be replaced/added so there is enough for the door edge and hinge. Nose has had a piece graphed on and will need some work to get it up to snuff. Want to fill in the open roof section and remove the spare wheelwell in the trunk lid and smooth it out as one panel. Would make a lot more room for battery and fuel tank without the big round 'dent' taking up space on the inside. So... option #1 Buy it, (1200 bucks) make the required changes, lots of work and some molds to build. Plus the additional material costs. Option#2, buy material for mold plus fiberglass materials required. (1200 bucks approx.) Build the entire mold, (lots of work) but have the body in the style I want from the get go. The saving grace is a possible return on the cash outlay on a couple of body sales. Aaurrgh!! Decisions,decisions. Sniper[S

 

[fuzz]

My vote would be to pass on that body and build your mold. That way you could get more of what you really want from the get go. More wheel base, chopped top, bigger trunk area. Am I reading your mind? or just layin out my own ideas?

 

[Sniper]

Yeah Fuzz, I think you have me pretty well figured out. I'm leaning that way also. Work involved, and money spent are going to be close. My big hold back is the time I can allot to this stuff. Main reason I can collect stuff and never get it together I suppose. At first glance the body looked like a faster and cheaper alternative. I guess my first post, is a lot like 'talking out loud', you just need to 'hear' it. I value the opinions and advice from the people on here. Thanks. (between the jokes and jabs, there is some good stuff) Ok, any other opinions, not that this is a democracy or anything, I have veto!! But I would like to hear your thoughts if it was your decision. Sniper

 

[Grumpyoldman]

Ok Sniper,

Is there anyone else interested in that body that's for sale? I'm just thinking out loud here. If someone else wants that body, maybe you could buy it together and you use it to make your bucks for a new body and your only out half the cost. Or you buy it grease it up real good and and make a a mold out of it using carbon fiber, take the old body and resell it untouched (no monies lost). An now you have a body to make your changes too. But I'm only thinking out loud here. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dragfink]

Do you have another body to pull a mold from?...or, do you have to buy one anyways for that?...have you made molds in the past, or have the extensive fiberglass knowlege to pull it off?

 

[Sniper]

Hi Grump, The thought did cross my mind. I have the dimensions, a kazillion pictures, and a 1/12 scale model of the Fiat to work from. (Had it for 5 or 6 years, so you can see, this isn't a new idea or project. Been collecting parts for just as long.) DIY was how I was going to proceed with this deal all along and build my own body. Then this one showed up and caused a little detour to check out and see 'if'... I almost jumped at it, now I'm thinking fresh eyes, and fresh ideas could be helpful. I needed a compelling argument, or reason to buy it. If I was going 'Nostagia Racing' it would be perfect, a little nose repair and your off. But I'm looking at the 'street level' so a lot of changes would have to be made to it, that's the kicker. What I hope to end up with will be a convincing altered look, but more like "Performance by Pretend". Not so hot, wild, and finicky that it's a pain in the butt on the street. The warmed over power plant I have will be enough for the size and weight of this thing. Ok, I think I've talked myself out of it....back to the plan on hand. Thanks, Sniper

 

[Sniper]

Hi Dragfink, Yes I've done fiberglass in the past. Instead of building a plug, and pulling molds from it, I plan on building female molds and pulling parts direct from them. I've done it in the past, and it's worked out well. Half as much work and cost involved. The "plan" is a full cage built out tight to the body interior. Most cars start with the body, and the cage is built to the confines of it. Most times, it ends up the body and cage clearance is one or two inches, so the inside gets smaller real quick. These cars are tiny to begin with, so any loss of space can be drastic. The other reason for the large body/cage clearance is so the one piece body can be slipped on over the cage, which is kind of obvious, and I'm sure most people are aware of. I need and want the most space I can get, so a different approach has been devised. A body made up of panels directly attached to the cage. The cage will have opening doors that the door panel is directy attached to. The rest of the body panels will be direct attached as well. Main body panels would be firewall/cowl/A piller and header, roof and rear window, trunk lid and lower apron, right and left sides with doors, and grill/hood on a forward tilt hinge. Not really much different than a assembled mold for a one piece body. I'm going to make them seperately. I plan on a few added flanges here and there where needed, and a whack of Dzus fasteners. Floor, wheel tubs and trunk floor are metal and are part of the frame cage. Not sure if I've explained it real well, but the more I think about it, I can see where the other body won't work with what I'm doing. The 'Ah-Hah moment' when I seen the body turned out to be all 'Ah' with no 'Hah'. Such is life Now, to convert this pile into a rump rump vehicle is the next step. Sniper

 

[Dragfink]

Sniper...sounds like a good plan...were your original intentions to build a Fiat body?

 

[Sniper]

Yup, Been eyeing up the Fiat Topolino for years, just one of those things that caught my fancy. Started collecting parts about 7 or 8 years ago. Something comes along that would do what I want, and it would be added to the 'inventory'. Have a 4.9 Cad engine and 5 speed manual set aside for this project. The Cad has wide set exhaust ports like the big block Chev, wide valve covers too. Alum block with cast iron heads and a huffer, should make a few wonder what it is. The blower is going to be part of the 'Performance by Pretend' segment. I'll need to hide the TB injection system as well as the altenator. Can kill two birds with one stone here. TB bolted to the intake in the normal position, with the blower housing over it, should have enough room to have the alt mounted inside driven off the input shaft. Wide cog belt from the crank to the water pump and idler and up to the blower should give the correct effect. The 4.9 in my Deville moves out quite smartly, the Fiat would be half the weight, it will be crazy enough with the combo I have. It should look the part and still be drivable on the street. No match for the real thing, but it dosen't have to be. Straight axle, 9" rear, 15X14 Cragar dragmaster rims with 18.5 Mickey T tires and same rims on the front only 4" wide of course. Have all that stuff sitting here ready to go. Even have the licence plate for it, (POOF GONE). Looking at a bench seat instead of buckets, grandkids have skinny little butts, should be able to get a couple in there at the same time. Working through the little glitches that pop up, will start on the molds this winter so there will be resin fumes in the spring air! Glad my shops heated, just have to get it dunged out so I have room to work again.Sniper