Would there be a market for QUALITY fiberglass parts?

-
Clelan

Clelan

Inferno Red Duster
FABO Gold Member
Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
2,552
Reaction score
3,601
Location
Martensville Sask. Can.
Would there be a market for quality fiberglass hoods, fenders, scoops, bumpers etc. in the automotive space today? I have an opportunity to purchase a small fiberglass business with lots of molds including many Mopar A,B and E body parts.
Focus on quality would be first and foremost.

Cley
 
Coincidentally I just called 5 places about a hood. Not much luck or options. I'd say there would be a market.
 
89on35s said:
Would there be a market for quality fiberglass hoods, fenders, scoops, bumpers etc. in the automotive space today? I have an opportunity to purchase a small fiberglass business with lots of molds including many Mopar A,B and E body parts.
Focus on quality would be first and foremost.

Cley
Click to expand...
To a point. But you’re gonna be competing with AAR and Glastek
 
I think it would be a great thing to get into. If they have nice moulds for Mopar I think it’s a win win. But then not all my idea’s have panned out like I though they would. Kim
 
QUALITY FIT AND FINISH PARTS? Definitely there will be a market.
I have a friend who recently purchased a hood from Unlimited Fiberglass here in SoCal and had to put a ton of time and labor into it before he could have it painted for his Duster. Not only the waviness in the finish, but the edge gaps were terrible. Both sides of the hood and the front had to be extended.
 
With OEM parts supply dwindling. I can't see any reason why not? A fiber hood is better than no hood?
 
If they were good quality parts, there would be a market for sure.
 
cojohnso said:
With OEM parts supply dwindling. I can't see any reason why not? A fiber hood is better than no hood?
Click to expand...
3-5 years ago there were probably lots of folks making long term project plans that decided to grab the rare stuff whenever it would pop up. They put off buying parts they "knew would be there when they were ready". We're seeing sheet metal and other parts disappear (or have a 2 year waiting list) that we just 'knew' would always be there.

If you can make the car look stock with your fiberglass parts, and they are available when steel versions are not, that alone should keep you in the overtime.
 
And price it affordable unlike most of the others out there. Please as.long as you turn profit keep little broke family guys in your mind lol
 
So both the places I know of are in Florida and California and having one in Canada would seemingly corner that kind of market. People usually get a lot of damage during shipping so I would probably build fortresses around what you do if you decide to go that way. With that said I cannot imagine any fiberglass being perfect and not costing quite a bit. Then you're dealing with the general public which is never happy. And then these cars that are 50 plus years old and have been worked on by every Joe schmo there is. Meaning no matter what shape you make your head and their car is not going to be the same shape...
Without question people have major delusions of what gaps used to look like. People are so branded into used to seeing modern gaps and cars that are perfect but they think they're going to buy a fiberglass hood and all of a sudden they're going to have a two quarter thickness Gap all the way around instantly cuz it's new which has nothing to do with it...
My question is are you young enough to be knee-deep in fiberglass 7 days a week for the next goodness knows how long to get this up and running?... I don't think you're going to make everybody happy...
 
89on35s said:
Would there be a market for quality fiberglass hoods, fenders, scoops, bumpers etc. in the automotive space today? I have an opportunity to purchase a small fiberglass business with lots of molds including many Mopar A,B and E body parts.
Focus on quality would be first and foremost.

Cley
Click to expand...
So why are the present owners not making any parts? If they are has anybody actually heard of them? Kim
 
oldkimmer said:
So why are the present owners not making any parts? If they are has anybody actually heard of them? Kim
Click to expand...
He made parts several years ago based out of Edmonton area. He transitioned into Comercial and Industrial work when he lost interest in cars as a hobby. He got a couple nice contracts and expanded his company in that direction. The molds have had very little use in the recent past. He is now retiring and selling his main business. The purchaser was not interested in the automotive stuff. I can get into it fairly cheap and He will Train me in doing the work.

Cley
 
I know it sounded like I was being a Debbie Downer but I just hope there's a realistic view and you're not falling in love with the idea without realizing the vast amount of work that'll be needed to make something like that really take off. But then again if you're to get the molds for next to nothing I don't have to dedicate any more time than you need to and not going to depend on it as your main source of income for any more time than it will take for the to take off then that's all good stuff to be considered...
Well if I needed something that you offered I would come to you first of course and so it a lot here but is that going to be enough without advertisement and such...
 
It would be a side hustle at least for now. I wouldn't have to borrow money to get into it if I didn't want to so a longer term payback is ok. I am just looking at my options right now. I appreciate all the input!

Cley
 
89on35s said:
He made parts several years ago based out of Edmonton area. He transitioned into Comercial and Industrial work when he lost interest in cars as a hobby. He got a couple nice contracts and expanded his company in that direction. The molds have had very little use in the recent past. He is now retiring and selling his main business. The purchaser was not interested in the automotive stuff. I can get into it fairly cheap and He will Train me in doing the work.

Cley
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good idea. Kim
 
I missed the Canada part. YES PLEASE start manufacturing quality parts in Canada so we Canadian's can get a break on duties and shipping! The shipping and brokerage adds huge expense to the car hobby for us. Not complaining or whining, merely stating fact.
 
Can you say what molds you would be getting?
Everyone wants quality parts. But if it’s the same parts available at other established businesses that makes it tougher to be competitive. But, if I am not mistaken, you can use the same molds to make those parts out of carbon fiber cloth. Or just reinforce the right areas of the part with carbon fiber.

There used to be a guy somewhere in western Canada making really nice remote control airplane fuselages out of fiberglass. Workmanship was excellent. A buddy tried a couple times to buy one. Three different times they were badly damaged at the border. The worst part was seeing that craftsmanship wasted.
 
Duster Trans Am spoilers? Please. Air Dams? Please!
 
89on35s said:
Would there be a market for quality fiberglass hoods, fenders, scoops, bumpers etc. in the automotive space today? I have an opportunity to purchase a small fiberglass business with lots of molds including many Mopar A,B and E body parts.
Focus on quality would be first and foremost.

Cley
Click to expand...
If you can do it. The aftermarket for our classics are limited. I would love to see some affordable quality parts for my 75.
 
I have been in negotiations with the guy but I fear I may not have enough room to store all the molds etc. Still undecided. It's still up in the air.

Cley
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top