CARBON FIBRE

[David Morton]

I've been discussing a total carbon body front and rear body, centre spider, doors, single and double vent nostrils with Matrix Ltd. (Kevin Dyer and Dave Benbow). It's only a discussion at the moment but if it became a reality, anybody else interested ? Prices will obviously reflect quantities.
How much lighter? Dont know yet but currently estimating somewhere between 40 to 60% of unpainted GRP, hopefully even less.
Dave M

 

[Jools]

I felt sure the bodywork on my car was heavier than everybody else's...but it turns out after a session on the corner weight scales it's just ME !!
I think a change to front and rear clip in carbon, should be a noticable weight saving. Interested please let me know how discussions progress.

 

[David Morton]

Jools,
First reply from Kevin Dyer at Matrix as follows:
Dave,
I think the Pattern work and Tooling for the front end would be somewhere in the region of £6,000
The rear Tooling around £5,500
One piece Prepreg Carbon front end approx’ £4,000 - £4,500
One piece Prepreg Carbon rear end approx’ £3,000 - £3,500
These numbers are ballpark figures based on comparing the the production costs of a similarly sized Sports car.
Kevin.

Back to normality - too much at the moment but having said that his work is just brilliant - he used to be with Prodrive as their carbon man then set up with David Benbow
(he of the Audi Team Goh this year)as a joint venture and now doing everything from carbon chassis to panels. I watched him repair a Ferrari at Spa that I thought had been 'totalled' on the Friday and it looked as though it was 'showroom new' when it went to the grid.
These costs he is quoting based on a one off for me. I have no idea at the moment how much less expensive it will be for multiples and at the moment I don't know the weight saving either but that should be availble next week.
Dave M

 

[Graham T]

Body panels are already available in carbon/kevlar for 40s.
EG. Front/ rear body @ £2000.oo each.

Graham @ GTA.

 

[David Morton]

thanks Graham - where or who?
Dave M