Carat body kit?

[serenitycamper]

Hey up guys,

I've been looking at the prices of these kits....slightly ridiculous is one way of putting it. Now I have an idea, I don't know whether anyone will be interested but we'll see what happens.

I am proposing to make a full standard carat body kit which will include all the side pieces, and front and rear bumpers. I will also modify the kit to be LHD or RHD compatible.



The way I will make the kits cheaper than the competition is simple. The kits will require fixing to the body of the T25 using an alternative method than the VW stock option. It will include recesses to mount the various pieces of GRP, or you can seal them on with an adhesive such as sicoflex or tiger seal. They will be shipped to you in 'out of the mold condition' so you can prepare them and have them painted, alternatively you can have them painted here by myself and shipped once dry.

I have been manufacturing GRP fibreglass components for many years and the quality is achieved by using industry standard gear.

What I'm asking is does anyone feel generous in donating their VW carat kit for me to mold from? There will be NO DAMAGE caused to the kit whatsoever. It should take about four weeks to mold the whole shooting match. The fiddly bit will be the front and rear bumpers!!

Anyway see what you guys think and let me know. I know I can dramatically reduce the cost of these kits to everyone's advantage.

I'll even offer a fitting service if you like

Mull it over and let me know

Rich

[Titus A Duxass]

You are not alone with this idea.
http://www.nomorerustybits.com/index_files/Page1383.htm - No More Rusty Bits do them, as do VW Winkler http://vw-winkler.de/Spoiler

[serenitycamper]

But is is my point...£330 for 3 side pieces? It's about £20 worth of glass!! I understand that there's labour involved but if you're good at it, it doesn't take long at all.

The difference between mine will be the mountings, but I'm sure people would much rather pay more like £350 - £400 for the whole set, than £330 for one side.

We shall see if anyone wants to lend me their kit, then I can make a protoplug set, prefect it, get a set made, invite a few peeps down to see them and then go from there. I mean the first set will be test fitted on my van until its right. They don't leave until they're right.

Rich

[Titus A Duxass]

If you can push them out at 400 quid a set you'll make a lot of people happy.
I'd lend you my planking but I'm a bit far away.

[serenitycamper]

Well it's perfectly doable. The price people charge for GRP copies of anything are ridiculous. You can buy some utter crap but if you look in the right places sometimes you can find a good buy. Not for these vans it appears.

I'd like to make this a permanent arrangement using my bigorangecamper or signaturecustoms site as a base for people to buy from. Or just ring me, imagine that!!

Well where are you? If you measure everything for me and give approx weights I can sort out a shipping cost as pretty much most of the uk mainland is the same with my courier company. E D I T: just noticed...Germany lol!! Ok a bit far that haha!

However it's up to you entirely. If anyone else feels generous and is close to Cheshire, get in touch. Probably better to use this forum thread, pm or text as the noise in the workshop is fairly constant!!

I think this would benefit everyone. I could even cast the original steel bumpers and end caps is that is wanted too.

[Bessie the camper]

There already a guy who sells them on eBay for £270.00 for full kit I brought one and not bad at all here an old eBay number 120753842133
He even does any bit you require

[CovKid]

£249 now. I think that puts that one to bed. I was about to say that even at £400 I wouldn't be tempted - sorry

[serenitycamper]

Ah well it was worth asking wasn't it.