Roadster interior strip out & carbon fibre replacement

[Scooba_Steve]

What a legend!

Any feedback on preferred parts will be much appreciated.

Personally I think a good initial starting point would be for 'common'/desirable upgrades. Bigger ones such as the M bonnet, if you could get that down to a reasonable price and aero skirts.
Smaller ones such as the wind deflector retrofit - yes folk can just drill holes in their own but replica of the OE, ideally at a similar price point to OE but the benefit of actual carbon, would certainly be desirable imho.
Then there are the 'easy' common cosmetic parts such as the dash and centre trims. Not forgetting the gold dust side covers! Even things like ashtrays become desirable when you can't get them new anymore.
The front windscreen scuttle, wing mirror covers, a-pillar trim etc.

I think as the cars age and replacements become more scarce your market starts to increase.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Just to add - don't give up!

 

[Ladderman]

Cheers guys. Reading your positive words really helps me push on. I'll get the skinned bits finished over the Christmas period & post the some photos of the finished parts. In the new year I'll be full on with the proper stuff. I have to master the clear coat cos the few pieces I tried didn't turn out good. I think I didn't let the epoxy cure fully. Iv'e just bought a couple of tins of Spray Max 2K cos it's about the best you can get in a rattle can. It's not cheap but it should give an excellent finish. Once I get the roof on the second workshop I'm buying a compressor so I can use a spray gun.

Since I've learnt how to use Fusion 360 the 3D printing has come on too. I've been test printing with nylon/carbon fibre filament and the strength is incredible. I took the dimensions then 3D printed the lugs that are on the back of the dash trim, you can see them sitting on the carbon fibre test piece.
I still have to bond them, then see how it fits on the dash. They are printed in ABS because it bonds better with epoxy. The hardest pieces to get right are the brackets that hold the radio & center air vent. I had to do multiple design changer just to get some were close with the fitment. I still have a lot more tweaking to do on the final dimensions of the bracket so it's on the back burner for the moment.

I got the vacuum former finished, but haven't had time to play around with it. First thing I'll have a go at will be the side covers for the soft top. In the summer I bought a hardtop off a forum member, it came with the locking mechanism covers so I'll be copying those to.

Once again, thanks for all the support.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

It’s all very impressive

 

[kis]

Cheers guys. Reading your positive words really helps me push on. I'll get the skinned bits finished over the Christmas period & post the some photos of the finished parts. In the new year I'll be full on with the proper stuff.

If I were you, I’d concentrate on some quick easy win’s. Some stuff you’ve got ready to sell so you can start making some money while pursuing the harder stuff. Mirror covers, roof down side covers, and the internal door handle trims as an example. Many people would want these in my opinion and hopefully making isn’t too complicated?

You’re defo doing the right thing tho. The Zed market is a good one to get into IMO. So well done, keep going and looking forward to more updates

 

[Calps]

This is such a great read. The amount of effort and perseverance is admirable, hats off to you [ref]Ladderman[/ref]!

Like others, I'm following this with interest.

 

[Ladderman]

 

[05_3.0i_zoom]

Damn what a impressive commitment..

 

[SW_Coupe]

Such great shed content too! Watching the shed space grow and develop is almost as exciting as the carbon work!

 

[Ladderman]

Such great shed content too! Watching the shed space grow and develop is almost as exciting as the carbon work!

Here's a little bit more shed content This is what the side alley looked like when I first bought the house. Had to widen the drive my a meter, the lead pipe on the pile of muck is the old gas supply. The whole house was in 1950 original condition.
Getting prepped up. This ones what the garage looked like

 

[05_3.0i_zoom]

Mini specialized production factory

 

[MikeH596]

New to this forum but reading this thread is great.. I know I will be hounding you for parts as soon as you are ready to sell them!

 

[Maddo6659]

Any further news on this awesome project?
Crushed carbon an option?
Do you have a website?
Happy to donate coupe specific parts for your R and D.
After those to the point questions, I'd just like say, bloody hell! You don't mess around do you! BZ that man!