OK, here's the story... I volunteer for The Kansas Auto Racing Museum located in Chapman, Kansas. The Museum acquired a replica 1934 Ford Coupe to use for parades, a traveling display and for a ride-along/driver training program at regional race tracks. The body is fibergl*** and the window openings need to be enlarged to allow easy access into and out of the driver/p***enger compartment. I am looking for a flexible molding that will cover the raw edges and reinforce them for strength. Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions are welcomed. Regards, Gerry Dedonis dedonis@kans.com The Kansas Auto Racing Museum http://www.kansasautoracingmuseum.org
My suggestion would be to do what the kit cars companies say to do when fibergl*** is needed to be reinforced. Get yourself some wood and cut and bend it (the old fashion way by soaking it) to fit along the inside edge of this area. Use the reinforced fibergl*** long straw putty to attach it and help in the support. Cover with more fibergl*** and finish with the finer stuff. I see the thing is already painted. Stay away from the exposed outside areas, mask,sand and paint to match. just an idea here........PJ
Thanks PeteJoe. Actually, the body is not painted but is a black gel coat. A person on another website suggested using some sort of flexible heavy molded rubber stripping with a cross shape of a "C". The open part of the c would straddle the raw edge sandwiched between two pieces of metal and held in-place with pop rivets. However, this person could not provide a source for this flexible rubber stripping and a brief internet search was unrewarding. Regards, Gerry Dedonis
Check J.C. Whitney. I bought trunk moulding/weatherstripping in bulk from them that will fit over the edge. As far as reinforcement, the rubber moulding won't stiffen it - Petejoe's recommendation for strengthening is the way to go. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/tf-Browse/s-10101/showAll-0/showCustom-0/N-111+10201+600003823/c-10101 Mutt
Its a race car...cut it down and cap it with formed aluminium sheet so you don't rip your suit. Don't over think it... I like the look of that rig. Pictures are kinda dark though. Any chances of some clearer pics from different angles etc? The "race" look does it for me! I wanna see how the front looks with the nerfs etc... Where could you find more examples of these cars on the Net?
Hackbill, 1934 Ford Coupe and others... http://home.mchsi.com/~camcoupes1/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html This is known as a "Cam Coupe". It is built on a GM metric ch***is. The driver's seat will be adjustable (to easily accomodate different sized drivers) and add a p***enger seat for a ride-along program Here is a similar car I found for sale. However, it uses a fully fabricated ch***is. Listed with photos about 1/3 down the page... http://www.racestarmotorsports.com/For%20Sale.htm
may not reenforce much but, you could split some black heater hose lengthwise, slip it over the raw edge and secure it with black zip ties though holes drilled in the gl***.. Paul
Here are some edge trim options: http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?tmplframe=EndecaCategoryView&storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2008662&showCustom=0&productId=2008662&catalogId=10101&langId=-1 http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?tmplframe=EndecaCategoryView&storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2002652&showCustom=0&productId=2002652&catalogId=10101&langId=-1 I know that the larger edge trim in the first link comes in black but I can't seam to find it right now. Neither of these will add any reinforcment, so you will probably have to employ one of the options already mentioned. Chris
Yah Chris! I believe these products might work and colored too! Maybe red or blue? Thanks!! Gerry Dedonis
After a little research (thanks to Loogy's post!), I found a neat company that manufactures all kinds of flexible rubber and vinyl trim for openings some of which are made in various colors. Check out: http://www.fairchildind.com Their website shows cross-views with dimensions of their products. I'm going to send Fairchild Industries an email or call them about several items especially one that has a chrome tape face. I think it will really dress out all of the window openings and provide a protective edge too! Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions! Regards, Gerry Dedonis The Kansas Auto Racing Museum Chapman, Kansas http://www.kansasautoracingmuseum.org
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