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Best fibreglass/GRP Bugeye bonnet

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AlFresco

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OK, I've searched the forum a bit but haven't found the answer to that question:
Which is the most convincing fibreglass/GRP Frogeye bonnet?

My current one has not at all convincing beading bumps. If I'm not prepared to fork out $$$ for alum or steel, is there a true option to match the original appearance? Seriously?

I might go for no seams at all if not.

Interested in your worldwide thoughts!
 
Gerard said:
Look at the ones from Speedwell. They are most likely the best.

https://www.speedwellengineering.com/fiberglass/
Click to expand...

Thanks Gerard,

Its hard to tell from their images just how good it is. I will attempt to get more detailed images from them.

I guess my question ultimately is, has anyone who knows these cars been truly fooled into thinking a fibreglass bonnet was a metal one from the outside even under close inspection, notwithstanding forward hinging which can be fitted to steel anyway?
 
Tom Colby, proprietor of Speedwell is known for making high quality products, and he is know for high quality restorations. I have seen his work and it is indeed very high quality. I've always heard good things about his fiberglass products, and he goes into detail on the web page as to how his are different than the average. I can't answer your question specifically, but if you want to know more, call and talk to him. I think how close it looks to steel will depend on how much you are willing to put into fit, finish, and paint.



AlFresco said:
Thanks Gerard,

Its hard to tell from their images just how good it is. I will attempt to get more detailed images from them.

I guess my question ultimately is, has anyone who knows these cars been truly fooled into thinking a fibreglass bonnet was a metal one from the outside even under close inspection, notwithstanding forward hinging which can be fitted to steel anyway?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the further comments, Speedwell sounds like a top notch operation.

As far as the comment re. the finish goes, I'm not sure how much or little would need to be done to these to get them looking as good as they can - perhaps I naively thought with a bit of prep and paint all would be wonderful, rather than requiring craft beyond that!
Is it normal to have to fiddle with them to get them right?
 
I have a Speedwell monza bonnet on my sprite. I found it used, but unfinished. It took very little to prep it for paint and is very solid. The inner bonnet is finished to an acceptable level and after cleaning was ready for primer and paint. Some hot rodders here will shoot the inner bonnet with truck bed linner to hide the fiberglass matting.
Regards
Paul
image.jpg
 
I have a Dave Craddock bonnet on my Spridget, and I have been very satisfied with it. Perhaps it is not of the same quality as the Speedwell bonnet, but it is more reasonable in price also. In either case, how does one get a fiberglass bonnet to Tasmania?
 
:D Yes, Tassie is a long way from anywhere that produces these things and just as importantly people who have used them. That's why I have to research everything to the max!
Serious outlets will hopefully have an international freight into Melbourne option. I can sort from there. Inevitably costs climb with all of that.
Great to have impressions of the options out there (including yours Paul). Any chance of a reasonably close up shot of your moulded beading sswarin, maybe including the indicator light area?

I heard back from Tom Colby at Speedwell. He sent some photos - they do look good, but he suggested it would still not be too hard for the trained eye to pick that it is fibreglass. Have asked for pricing into Oz.
 
Thanks to Dave Craddock (Preform Resources, US) for sending hi-res photos and some indicative costs - does look good (will post once I figure it out).
Thanks too to sswarin for close ups of his Preform bonnet and offline discussion

Anybody used the Spridgetech (Michigan, US) stock Mk1 stock bonnet?
 
It may be possible to make up a mold off of a steel bonnet and just attach a fiberglass bead to an existing smooth fiberglass bonnet. Quite a bit of work but not impossible.

Kurt.
 
If your biggest issue with your present bonnet is just the beading, how about grinding off the present beads, cutting a slight channel where the beading goes and epoxying on some original steel beading: https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/sprite/Outer-Body-Panels/WING-BEAD-512-ft.aspx It would seem more cost effective than importing a whole new bonnet and although I haven't seen all the fiberglass offerings, I'm guessing none of them will be an exact reproduction. I think you'd want to trim the bottom of the beading so the bottom of the "T" was just long enough to locate it in the groove you cut out.
 
AlFresco, when you say you don't want to fork out for steel or aluminum, I presume you are speaking of a new bonnet. If you are going to ship a GRP item from God knows where on the globe, what about a good used steel one? There have got to be plenty lying around somewhere, and your old Sprite will be back in business with the real thing!
 
nomad said:
It may be possible to make up a mold off of a steel bonnet and just attach a fiberglass bead to an existing smooth fiberglass bonnet. Quite a bit of work but not impossible.

Kurt.
Click to expand...

Yeh, and I do have access to a friend's half decent steel one but I have zip fibreglass knowledge and skills.
So I reckon I'd struggle to get something together that was good enough, especially with stiffening lip around the edges, etc.
I guess I could get a local fibreglassing shop to have a go, or go with those who have refined their product to high quality level but at a cost. Looks like cost of shipping into Oz might be in the order of $800-1000 US.
 
CLEAH said:
AlFresco, when you say you don't want to fork out for steel or aluminum, I presume you are speaking of a new bonnet. If you are going to ship a GRP item from God knows where on the globe, what about a good used steel one? There have got to be plenty lying around somewhere, and your old Sprite will be back in business with the real thing!
Click to expand...

Might try Tony at https://www.bugeyebarn.com/html/s01_home/home.asp?dsb=18 or Colin at https://www.spriteparts.com.au/ Closer to home and they may have a line on a used one.
 
AlFresco said:
Yeh, and I do have access to a friend's half decent steel one but I have zip fibreglass knowledge and skills.
So I reckon I'd struggle to get something together that was good enough, especially with stiffening lip around the edges, etc.
I guess I could get a local fibreglassing shop to have a go, or go with those who have refined their product to high quality level but at a cost. Looks like cost of shipping into Oz might be in the order of $800-1000 US.
Click to expand...

Do you want fibreglass for any special reason? 800-1000 USD will buy you a lot of bodywork if you can find a used one - and then it is all steel.
 
HealeyRick said:
If your biggest issue with your present bonnet is just the beading, how about grinding off the present beads, cutting a slight channel where the beading goes and epoxying on some original steel beading: https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/sprite/Outer-Body-Panels/WING-BEAD-512-ft.aspx It would seem more cost effective than importing a whole new bonnet and although I haven't seen all the fiberglass offerings, I'm guessing none of them will be an exact reproduction. I think you'd want to trim the bottom of the beading so the bottom of the "T" was just long enough to locate it in the groove you cut out.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rick, thought hard about doing this.
A) was concerned that grinding off would severely weaken the bonnet along those lines, as I can see the curve of the 'beading' on the inside of the bonnet. Would need to add 'glass here I guess (see earlier re lack of 'glass skills!)
B) current bonnet has no stiffening lip around the edges at all. The flared arches would be stronger due to the way they've been done but they are to come off. It really just suits a racer or something where looks aren't key and stress-cracking of paintwork isn't a concern
 
HealeyRick said:
Might try Tony at https://www.bugeyebarn.com/html/s01_home/home.asp?dsb=18 or Colin at https://www.spriteparts.com.au/ Closer to home and they may have a line on a used one.
Click to expand...

Would love a new steel one really but it still has to come from 'God knows where' and they are a lot dearer up front. Tony at Bugeye Barn tries to source decent used ones from the US (the good ones have been exhausted in the UK pretty much) but has struggled lately to find ones worth grabbing.
If I got a very good GRP one on my door step for ca. $2500 AUD I'd be happy enough as it would probably be half of a new steel I reckon. A good idea to chat to Colin also - I'm not in a rush so having he and Tony with their ears to the ground (and maybe you guys too!!) might turn something up.
 
Really appreciate the comments to date guys.

I had it in my head that I would have to go fibreglass just because of cost for new steel and rarity of good used in Oz and even US it seems. Was hoping for good 'glass options in Australia but it seems those have dried up at this stage, so distance related costs appear a given unless I get very handy with GRP.

Your suggestions are all helping me to decide if this is the best way - keep 'em coming!

Cheers
 
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