Have y'all ever thought of bringing bulged and flared fiberglass fenders to market for scouts? I have seen the terra that your family campaigns, I think it would be fantastic myself. Large tires, 0" lift, combined with a lift, long travel, cover full width axles, etc. What are your thoughts? I brought this topic up on on the binderbulletin with little interest. I've talked to the guys at hanneman, I've used there stuff before, not bad, marginal at best. They want $500 a pc for fronts and $800 rears. Think most of it was a case of "if we price it high enough, he'll go away..." however, john ehmke of autofab was somewhat more receptive. He's actually been in the process of building a 65' for the last two years and is nearing completion. Supply him with fenders, foot the bill at the body shop, help a little with his materials, and cost will be $650 pr. Special pricing for the ones who have a hand in it.
Here's his email:
"chris, thank you for your nice comments. I really appreciate hearing from you. With a name like breedlove I am sure you are into some kind of racing right? Well to the subject of fiberglass. Problem here is the initial up front tooling cost and time involved. I spend on average for a pair of fenders 3 to 4 hundred hours of time and approx 2000 in materials. Now after that expense and time, I am ready to produce a fiberglass fender that will be up to my standards. Back in my younger years I was willing to devote the time and wait for my return of investment. Nowadays I cannot afford to. Simple economics have forced me to tailor any new product with demand. I dont mean to sound negative but a few sets of fenders for the club members doesnt cut it. For the time involved and the rate of return the numbers are not there. There might be a way to work out some of the problems with this but it will depend on a few of you owners who want the parts badly enough. Number one , I would need good fitting metal fenders to start with. They dont have to be perfect. Some rust ok. Some dents minor ok , the fit is the most important. They have to fit as best as possible. I will not use import fenders for a foundation. This is the reason my fenders fit so well. Now to make them look good. I will start the process with the basic shape etc after we all decide on something. After that I want to take the rough parts to my neighbors "ch auto body paint and pay them to finish them and make them smooth. You can expect a case of bondo on each fender to be used. Then after the plugs are ready we will make the molds for production. What will be expected from you and club members is this.
1) provide necessary metal parts
2) pay the body shop bill
3)contribute to my material cost
I am willing to provide
1)intial design and rough structure
2) coordinate with body shop on finish work
3)fabricate the molds and prep them for production
after all that is accomplished we will make the fenders
4) you and whoever helps with the project will be entitled to a special discount on first articles( these by the way are the best of the parts becauese the molds deterioate after time.
Average price for me to produce a pair of fenders with my standards is $650 pair.
Let me know what you think.
By the way we are completing a 1965 Scout. We have been custom building this truck for 2 years. It is pretty nice. See ya. John"
all business, but willing and to the point. I'm in texas, y'all are in California, as is he, y'all might be able to strike up a deal of some sort. I have a pair of front fenders not being used that are in excellent shape, willing to donate to the cause, and I'll donate monetarily as well. But again, I'm in tx and your in CA. Is this something you and your business might be interested in? I know I would be. I want a set bad. Something to think about I guess. Thanks
chris.
By the way, that aluminum radiator you sold me last year looks great in front of that twin turbo diesel in my other Scout
wiring kit was a snap too, thanks!
Here's his email:
"chris, thank you for your nice comments. I really appreciate hearing from you. With a name like breedlove I am sure you are into some kind of racing right? Well to the subject of fiberglass. Problem here is the initial up front tooling cost and time involved. I spend on average for a pair of fenders 3 to 4 hundred hours of time and approx 2000 in materials. Now after that expense and time, I am ready to produce a fiberglass fender that will be up to my standards. Back in my younger years I was willing to devote the time and wait for my return of investment. Nowadays I cannot afford to. Simple economics have forced me to tailor any new product with demand. I dont mean to sound negative but a few sets of fenders for the club members doesnt cut it. For the time involved and the rate of return the numbers are not there. There might be a way to work out some of the problems with this but it will depend on a few of you owners who want the parts badly enough. Number one , I would need good fitting metal fenders to start with. They dont have to be perfect. Some rust ok. Some dents minor ok , the fit is the most important. They have to fit as best as possible. I will not use import fenders for a foundation. This is the reason my fenders fit so well. Now to make them look good. I will start the process with the basic shape etc after we all decide on something. After that I want to take the rough parts to my neighbors "ch auto body paint and pay them to finish them and make them smooth. You can expect a case of bondo on each fender to be used. Then after the plugs are ready we will make the molds for production. What will be expected from you and club members is this.
1) provide necessary metal parts
2) pay the body shop bill
3)contribute to my material cost
I am willing to provide
1)intial design and rough structure
2) coordinate with body shop on finish work
3)fabricate the molds and prep them for production
after all that is accomplished we will make the fenders
4) you and whoever helps with the project will be entitled to a special discount on first articles( these by the way are the best of the parts becauese the molds deterioate after time.
Average price for me to produce a pair of fenders with my standards is $650 pair.
Let me know what you think.
By the way we are completing a 1965 Scout. We have been custom building this truck for 2 years. It is pretty nice. See ya. John"
all business, but willing and to the point. I'm in texas, y'all are in California, as is he, y'all might be able to strike up a deal of some sort. I have a pair of front fenders not being used that are in excellent shape, willing to donate to the cause, and I'll donate monetarily as well. But again, I'm in tx and your in CA. Is this something you and your business might be interested in? I know I would be. I want a set bad. Something to think about I guess. Thanks
chris.
By the way, that aluminum radiator you sold me last year looks great in front of that twin turbo diesel in my other Scout
wiring kit was a snap too, thanks!