I received a PM from a member asking about reproducing the convertible trunk lids in Fiberglass.

He mentioned that they have a tendency to rust and were basically unavailable.

Since I've not owned a 3rdgen vert yet, I need some add'l information. I am assuming MOST of you have ASC verts, correct?

#1: How bad is the rust issue on the vert trunk lids?

#2: Is there currently any reproduction being done on them?

#3: Are there any other 'vert specific parts that are needed, but not available? (ie, something that could be reproduced in glass?)

Thanks,

 

the trunk lid is really a compound problem.

1. they are really heavy. prob 50lbs give or take.
2. the spoiler.

the spoiler is the main reason that my trunk lid rotted out. the studs are glued on. after time the studs come loose, or break and start allowing water into the mounting holes. and the rust begins.

ive searched, I havent found anyone making a F/g lid. Please make these.



Hawks makes a repo spoiler

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...lespoiler.aspx


so you wouldnt be the first there

BUT..... noone makes a trunk lid with a molded in spoiler.

you would take care of alot of peoples issues if you could mold them both together, and come close to what hawks wants for just a spoiler.

example....why buy a new spoiler for 250,when i could get a new lid/spoiler for a few dollars more---kinda thing... and never worry about the studs popping off again.


the only downside that i can come up with right now is the pull down motor. if its not reinforced right it could crack the lid. But if you mold the lid/spoiler together you might be able to form some aluminum in the hollow area to reinforce it.

 

Honestly if you mold in the spoiler then you would exclude some clientele. Keep in mind that Firebird and Camaro are the same deck lid and the Firebird spoiler is different (86-89 especially) not sure about 91 & 92 Firebirds, they appear to be similar, but the spears (Quarter caps) are definitely different.

I have considered making them myself, but the setup is a pain and I really have too many things going on and to hire new people in a crappy economy.

heck i have a good mold for an 85-90 Firebird Aero Spoiler that is extended to the rear window... Kinda cool really, reminds me of a Porsche Whale Tail... Buutt have i ever made one??? Nope.

Unless you have a Chopper, it would probably be hand laid, your probably not looking at something cheap. I would think that an Epoxy resin would be better than Polyester, but Polyester is cheaper, but it is not nearly as stable, so it would warp.

Honestly it would be probably around $700 or so from what I am thinking... By the time you figure materials and labor for me to make one.

I would probably opt for Stainless Steel instead of Aluminum reinforcements, its stronger, but heavier.

John

 

I thought about that - Due to the numerous variations in vert spoilers, I'm thinking just making the trunk lid itself would be the most sensible choice. If we are talking only like 2 types, then maybe we'd just make a Camaro & a Firebird mold, but who knows yet....

How come????

It would definitely be hand laid and only made with ISO resin. Our glass content is near 50% so with the ISO, warpage/distortion is virtually non-existent in any of our glass.

As for price, it really just depends on amount of material used and time per trunk lid. For some perspective, we plan on offering our heat extractor hoods (both inside & outside finished) in the $500 range, so I'd have to bet a trunk lid would come in less than that. We'd just have to see after we have one in hand and see what's all involved (ie. reinforcements, etc).

I'm open for suggestions - I'm not a vert owner (yet, the bug has bit), but am open to producing parts if there is a market for them.

 

I totally agree with loneroad: If you were to make the trunk lid and spoiler one piece you'd have a great product. The majority (by a fair margin) of verts are Camaro and all Camaro verts have the same spoiler. The spoiler that breaks off, the spoiler that causes leaks, the spoiler that has the rubber gasken nobody makes. One piece would be ideal.

 

Speaking hypothetically, if a trunk lid w/ spoiler molded in was made, what would you feel is a fair price?

 

Somebody PLEASE make a #1 bow garnish already! Those would sell like hotcakes. Does anybody on here that owns a 'vert have one that isn't cracked at least a little by the mounting screw holes? Somewhere along the line, someone is going to get in the car and snag it. I've never seen one totally in one piece.

 

how about making the header panel? the part on the inside top of the windshield and the convertible roof part under the roof handles

 

i think you guys are talking about these


http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/co...omponents.aspx

 

I got a header piece and Bow #1 piece from Bruce, they fit really well. I had to drill the holes for the Bow #1 garnish, and I had to drill a new hole above my rear view mirror for the screw hole there.

All in all I am pleased with it, WAAAAY better than what I had. I have to put the foam stuff on mine, but as of right now I am pleased, and would definitely do it again.

As in my Sig the car is an 89

John

 

Shot in the dark... $400? Likely just as much tooling and work as a hood albeit slightly less material.

 

I wouldn't make the spoilers molded in. That would force people to only run an OEM style spoiler & not allow for anyone to run other than stock, if they ever wanted to.

 

I kinda agree with Stephen and okfoz, and i see their point.

You could always make both, or more. A few different spoiler choices would be great.

a 5in spoiler would be awesome with the 2 side spoilers rising in to meet.

your only limited by your imagination. There isnt any aftermarket parts out there

 

Well, as stated, we can make whatever we want, but the demand has to be there - I mean, if we spend the time/money to make a mold of the lid w/ spoiler and only 1 person buys, its not really profitable.

Unfortunately, making the molds can be quite expensive when you're making quality stuff.

 

with a spoiler,- without. just getting someone to entertain the idea of building a quality piece is a win in my book.

 

You've got a PM.

If anyone else has any interest in these trunk lids or spoilers, please post here and let us know!

 

I'm in for one with OR without the spoiler.

 

First the disclaimer.
I have 3 verts for sale and more parts including the trunk lid for sale on here and no one cares.
This means two things.
1 I'm probably not going to be buying your product anytime soon either way.
2 people are all talk about wanting to buy something but don't follow through. At least I'm telling you up front.

That said personally I would make the lid spoiler one piece? Why? Because hawks wants $250 for just the spoiler.
So if you want let's say $400 for the lid which is probably something people are looking to buy after their spoiler broke, they now have to spend $400+$250=$750+shipping.
But if you for the same $400 they can get a spoiler and trunk lid as one piece suddenly they are looking at getting a whole trunk lid for only $150 more then a spoiler, which makes it appear a much more attractive option.
For those saying don't because they want a custom spoiler, well what exactly are they waiting for? Go make a custom spoiler on your current trunk lid, I know that's what my one friend is doing. But again lets face it most are all talk and no do. And custom means something different to everyone so it's not like a one off piece will be profitable.

Again that's the opinion of a person who has so many vert parts he trips over them and can't sell any of them so take it for what it's worth.

 

I'm assuming you're talking about me, putting this high rise spoiler on my oem lid haha

In all honesty, if I had the option of buying an aftermarket lid to drill holes into instead of drilling my original one for the spoiler I'm putting on, I would do it. But currently there are no aftermarket ones...it would have to be priced reasonably too, anything over $200 for a repro 'glass lid would not work in my book.

 

$200 probably wouldn't be a doable price point. The materials alone, ie. glass mat, resin, gelcoat, epoxy to mate the inner and outer and the metal bracing inside would probably come to more than that. Not to mention the physical time to make it.

Keep the input comin!

 

I think I'd like to find a supplier that'll make them out of aluminum.

 

Now thats interesting Not that there`s anything wrong with `glass ones but to see an aluminum one- now you have my attention. Bet the cost of one would be prohibative .
In my opinion I wouldnt be interested in a glass trunk lid if I needed one.
It dosent hurt to try to manufacture one but I dont see a high demand for it.

 

In that case I'd just buy a used OEM trunk lid off someone for $200. I know they can be found that cheap, might take time but it'd be worth it in my opinion.

 

As someone else above said: You will get alot of interest but prob. Only a handful of buyers. I had 10+ people who wanted billet emblems. and only a few actually bought em. Same with other billet parts Ive made.

If I couldnt make my own parts Id say $400-500 isnt out of line for a quality piece.
Ive considered making my own trunk lid and tonneau cover for my vert to lighten it up. I have no rust in either of mine. I think you would sell more rear vert center sections of the spoiler since everyones flyes off.

 

Not to kill it, but I will tell you that thirdgenners are cheap, they expect you to pay them to take it off your hands and then they complain if its not perfect. ok its not that bad, but from experience talk is cheap, I probably am not much better, but most people would prefer an OE type over a 'glass replacement. Price is always a huge issue, and even when your not making much they expect you to give it away... Very little regard for labor and making a little profit.



BTW, find me an aluminum one... Even as I say that I would probably more prone to fix what I have over buying new... then if I wasn't able to fix it then I would consider one...

John

 

What about carbon fiber trunk lid? Strong and light.. Can't go wrong?

 

Carbon fibre cloth is at least double the price of glass, and lots of folks think it only belongs on rice burners.

That said, I'd like to make some carbon fibre parts for my own ride in a couple years when I have a garage, and I'll definitely be posting here to see if others are interested in buying some as well.

 

Honestly, I would look into making parts cautiously... If you want it for your own car that is one thing, then try and make money from what you have invested into it... BUT to simply make it for a profit... That's another. Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Reproduction steel, Fiberglass, it would not matter, its all a gamble... There is not that many cars out there, and there are still some pickings on ebay, so your market would be small...

 

I don't like the look of carbon fiber unless it's a hood IMO. Anywhere else, I would paint it black.

 

You really do not need to keep the Carbon fiber look to it if you do not want to... One of the problems with epoxy resins is they are not very UV stable and tend to deteriorate. If you use the Polyester resin then its not stable for keeping shape. I would imagine that a Carbon fiber piece would be better off to actually paint, at this point your looking for weight savings I would think.

 

Yeah lower weight is a very high priority for my car. Aluminum, fiberglass, you name it. Carbon fiber is something I haven't gotten a chance to dive into really because there isn't that many products for our cars that are actually made to lower weight. Cosmetic carbon fiber is ***** IMO but if it's for weight reduction (hood, driveshaft, any body panel, dash, doors , etc) then I think it's a good idea.

 

I brought up the special rear wing mold that I actually have for the Aero Spoiler on the 85-90 Firebirds... For weight savings, I have a mold to make a Formed Lexan or Plexiglas rear window too... Another one of those things that I really do not think there is a need for... But I have the tool... Not sure how well it would hold up to flexing or anything like that because I never made one and installed it... But I got a mold... Lots of good it does me sitting there...

John

 

Hi there,
Yes I would be in the market for a good FG trunklid. I already have the spoiler, but I would rather have a molded-in spoiler, if you made it that way. I wonder if I could bond my original spoiler to your trunklid... if you make one, and if you decide to build a standard trunklid. That might cure the leaking studs problem.

I am going to start saving my pennies (really, dollars!) right now. Thanks for showing an interest in building this!

 

 

http://www.proglasswindows.com/

 

Personally I like the FG lid idea. My suggestion is to make the bare lid as a quality piece, and put a reasonable mark-up on it. I think you need to consider the as delivered price to the customers door. Packaging, & freight may put a fair price out of reach.

You could offer separate individual spoiler options if there is a demand.

As for the Hawks repro 'vert spoiler.........to be as delicate as I can.......leaves allot to be desired.

An quality FG 'vert rear spoiler with integral gussets for the mounting bolts, and flanged stops for a trunk seal would be awesome.

 

I would say build a flat one. Let us decide on the spoiler.

 

[QUOTE=okfoz;4747636]Not to kill it, but I will tell you that thirdgenners are cheap, they expect you to pay them to take it off your hands and then they complain if its not perfect. ok its not that bad, but from experience talk is cheap, I probably am not much better, but most people would prefer an OE type over a 'glass replacement. Price is always a huge issue, and even when your not making much they expect you to give it away... Very little regard for labor and making a little profit.



Very Very true, I have sold a number of things on this site in the forsale section and people try buy things cheaper, than you can find anywhere. Like i sold gm aluminum rockers for 90 buck when they are 400 new and people didnt want to offer anything ended up selling for 90 shipped because i needed the money. I would try and make fiberglass trunk lids yet, maybe when the economy recovers would be the best time.

 

I have been waiting FOREVER for someone to make a reproduction decklid. The one on my vert weighs about 50-60lbs. Please count me in if you produce either a carbon or fg one. I will also PM you.

 

I would be very interested as well

 

What parts do you have? I need black belts front and rear for a '92 vert. I'm also looking for black leather rear interior panels.

 

Whatever happens, the oem spoiler breaks far to easily and needs to be re-designed. The spoiler on my 92z vert is crap and I have already epoxied it once and it has broken again and I will not pay $250 for a brand new POS spoiler that will break again. One built into the deck lid would be best since one piece would be stronger, lighter and cheaper. The rear deck lids feel like they are full of lead and heavier than a coupe; strange.