Section : The Courier

Spitfire LeMans Style Bodyshell in Fibreglass 

Posted By : Malcolm Shaw, 31-Dec-2003, 05:19pm

Hi All,
Jan 2004 Courier arrived this morning. So what I hear you say. Well on scanning the contents page the words "Lemans style grp bodyshells" literally jumped off the page and nearly took an eye out.

Turning to page 66 sure enough there before my eyes is for me a dream come true. Sure its not the real thing but who cares it looks the business.

I now know exactly what Im going to do with my much loved but very rotten MKIII GT6. Only problem is my wife wants a new conservatory, kitchen, bedroom suite, carpets and we desperately need a second loo/shower room and I'm only 1/3rd the way through the loft conversion.
Divorce is not an option.

• Spitfire LeMans Style Bodyshell in Fibreglass 

  Posted By : Van Hamlin, 31-Dec-2003, 07:20pm

  Personally I think it is a shame to do this when metalwork for these cars is cheap and readily available, and they are also easy to do welding on due to the ease of access. If you can't weld then consider a course - I did a City & Guilds.
  
  If you go the fibreglass route bear in mind that the GT6 sills are structural and this strength will need to be put back in, one way to do this would be to fit side members to the chassis like the Vitesse has and to fit a roll cage. You will also need to mount the rear track control arms somewhere.
  
  Van
  
  

  • Spitfire LeMans Style Bodyshell in Fibreglass 

    Posted By : William Davies, 31-Dec-2003, 09:43pm

    Hi Van,
    While most metalwork is indeed cheap, it's naive to think that every GT6 or Spitfire out there could be restored from available panels. While it's sad that there are people (traders and supposed enthusiasts) who will tear apart a car for spares when it's eminently restorable, there are very many cars which have bodywork beyond saving. I pride myself on NOT breaking cars which can be restored. Even so, I have dismantled several Spitfires which were truly beyond saving through rust and the bodging of previous owners. In each case the chassis has been excellent and would make an excellent donor for a GRP shell like this.
    I was quite excited to read the article this month, though I can't see me being able to afford one of these in the near future - has anyone actually enquired about the price?
    Cheers,
    Bill.
    

    • Spitfire LeMans Style Bodyshell in Fibreglass 

      Posted By : Don Cook, 02-Jan-2004, 11:36am

      Hi Bill
      
      Well, you're a trader Bill! Clearly, these are a beautiful shape and could be developed to provide an answer to the lack of a suitable body. Perhaps Chris Littlewood and John Muggleton should get together with a view to somebody marketing them?
      
      Don

      • Spitfire LeMans Style Bodyshell in Fibreglass 

        Posted By : Malcolm Shaw, 04-Jan-2004, 07:24pm

        Hi Don
        
        They are indeed for sale at a cost of &163;3850 INC VAT.
        
        I called up the number printed in the article and spoke to Graham. Apparently the shell incorporates a cage that also provides steel bars inside the sills. The whole assembly is in effect a very stiff monocoque which when allied to the standard chassis will give all the strength needed.
        I think its a brilliant idea. Sure not everybody would want to go this route but when you have a GT6 as rotten as mine then its a great way of getting the vehicle back on the road quickly. I would be happy to store the steel shell and rebuild it over a period of time but it wont be easy. The GT6 shell is made of very thin steel and was designed to be spot welded. To do a good job with a Mig would would take a much better welder than I am and I learnt 25 years ago!
        
        Enough ranting! Do give the number in the article a call. I am hoping they will bring the car down to the Stoneleigh show in Feb so if enough of you ask we can all get a look at it.
        
        Regards
        
        Malcolm

      • Spitfire LeMans Style Bodyshell in Fibreglass 

        Posted By : Graham Reeks, 05-Jan-2004, 11:56am

        "lack of a suitable body"
        
        I know you've had some problems with yours Don ... it's clearly been through some tough times, but is a full body transplant really necessary?
        Surely then the personality would be all outdated and you'd need to upgrade that as well
        

• Spitfire LeMans Style Bodyshell in Fibreglass 

  Posted By : Mark Stradling, 05-Jan-2004, 02:37pm

  Am I the only one who can see a conservatory, about garage sized, with really wide french windows opening onto the driveway being built here ^_^
  
  On a serious note, even if a car is savable, it doesn't mean it makes economic sence to save it. OK, none of our cars really add up, but a real Le Mans car will set you back more than 3 grands worth of plastic and say 1 grands worth of car!