Saturn/gillham/ vmax composites bodywork

[vmax1974]

You have all seen the posts about the gillham bodywork

well after I heard of the issues some builders were having I sent dan an email and we agreed a mutual deal and i have now taken ownership of the moulds just gotta go and collect them

I have 2 full sets yo get out before anyone else but the order book is open I will set up a facebook page in the next few days with prices and the wotnot but I dont intend to advertise on ebay I am going to rely on being as helpful as possible on here at least at first

In the mean time of anyone is in need of anything please pm me on here and i will get back to you asap

Quality is important moving forward so if you dont like something tell me if you do like it tell everyone

[SteveH1]

Have you a link to what the bodywork looks like.
Also will you be able to ship to ireland

[vmax1974]

Do plan on offering international shipping but plan to use crates rather than pallets to avoid the risk of damage I will sort out the facebook page and put a link on my signature there will be photos and prices on there

[K4KEV]

Kudos to you Dave and I hope your venture reaps rewards and satisfaction (might upgrade to a bigger bulge bonnet if you get that mould as well).

[vmax1974]

Kudos to you Dave and I hope your venture reaps rewards and satisfaction (might upgrade to a bigger bulge bonnet if you get that mould as well).

I have got that mould too

[The V8 Files]

I have got that mould too

Thinks I might need that too :)

[vmax1974]

Coukd someone send me a photo of there completed car with saturn bodywork of course for me to use on the facebook page

[vmax1974]

If your going to produce parts to sell to people at least take pics of the parts that YOU have made and the quality that your capable of, I'm not sure you want to start this venture by advertising the previous efforts of those that had a go before you?

I get that but people need to see what the bodywork looks like shape wise before they buy it dont you think

There will be plenty of examples of my work posted on the forum and page but I am happy to build a reputation for doing what i say i am going to do when I say I am going to do it am here to help builders put together the best car they can so I am more than willing and able to do my part

Hope that answers your question

[vmax1974]

The facebook (https://m.facebook.com/vmaxcomposites/) page for everyone to come visit me most of the updates will be there so hit likeand keep coming back

[K4KEV]

just sent you a FB message

[Rosco]

Good luck with this, it will be nice to have some suppliers that do what they say and offer decent products!

[vmax1974]

Thanks kev photos appreciated and thanks rosco I am really excited about the venture

[Janne E]

Well done vmax :) :)

[alga]

Coukd someone send me a photo of there completed car with saturn bodywork of course for me to use on the facebook page

Andy Hugill of SSC fame released his publicity photo to public domain, it's on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haynes_Roadster#/media/File:Haynes_Roadster.jpg

Also, feel free to use any of mine (Gallery link in sig).

[james3004]

Best of luck to you!
Please don't send them to customers like this....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/ZVHturbo18/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ZVHturbo18/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpeg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/ZVHturbo18/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ZVHturbo18/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpeg.html)

[Richard Dryden]

Best of luck with it all

[vmax1974]

Prefer to use that stuff for keeping my house warm

[flyerncle]

Best of luck,couple of ideas,one not so new,rear splittter, and front splitter and don't know if its possible or practical,some aerofoil shaped indicator mountings ????.

Mentioned the front splitter to Kev and he seemed keen,just and idea.

[vmax1974]

Best of luck,couple of ideas,one not so new,rear splittter, and front splitter and don't know if its possible or practical,some aerofoil shaped indicator mountings ????.

Mentioned the front splitter to Kev and he seemed keen,just and idea.

cheers I will look into it

[Rosco]

tunnel top?

[NeilW]

tunnel top?

+1


(Got to write this to meet character requirements!)

[wylliezx9r]

+1


(Got to write this to meet character requirements!)

+ 2

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PorkChop]

Slightly narrower rear wings might be a good idea - the rear track of MX5 based cars is narrower than the Sierra.

[vmax1974]

tunnel top?

that seems like a favourite will get to work on that one have had a few ideas anyway

[NeilW]

that seems like a favourite will get to work on that one have had a few ideas anyway

I know of someone who lives local who will happily support with prototypes :D

[vmax1974]

I know of someone who lives local who will happily support with prototypes :D

cheers neil will take you up on that will have to find a way to cater for both sierra and mx5 builders though

An idea I have had though is how popular would an iva trim kit be to suit the bodywork ie all the u trim and piping delivered with bodywork at extra cost of course discuss

[flyerncle]

Don't lend him your reamer !!!:p

[K4KEV]

I know of someone who lives local who will happily support with prototypes :D

Cheers Neil....that is very kind of you:o

[voucht]

that seems like a favourite will get to work on that one have had a few ideas anyway

I don't know if we are talking only about MX5 based Roadster here, but if you consider doing this part for old Sierra based Roadsters as well, bare in mind that MT75 and Type 9 tunnels are different.

Also, the gearbox tunnel cover is not a symmetrical part and won't fit both RHD and LHD cars.

Just my humble input :)

[vmax1974]

I have now had chance to go through the production costs and I now have a price list so here it is

Nosecone £155
Scuttle £125
Front cycle wings £85 Pair
Rear arches £145 Pair
Rear tub £155
Side panels 185 Pair
Standard scoop bonnet £145
Wide scoop bonnet £155
Standard aeroscreen £65
Front bulkhead £80
Rear Diffusser £135
GRP Dash blank £60
10 Piece Bodywork kit £830
6 Piece Bodywork kit £550

add £10 to 6 and 10 Piece kits for wide scoop bonnet

I will add more products as they become available

I will sort out a website when more funds become available

[skov]

Good luck mate, glad someone else has taken over the moulds, the panels Gillham sent me were a joke :mad:

[vmax1974]

I gotta love my little sister she owns naio nail supplies (http://www.naio.co.uk) and I was talking to her yesterday and she has given me a decent 3hp 14cfm compressor and a couple of degassing chambers with I composites vacuum pump so I can offer carbon fibre products I will make some work out costings and put my prices up

[Rosco]

Owe, do you have a pic of your aero Screen?

[vmax1974]

There is a double bubble one in the pipeline just gotta finish it and make a mould but will be much nicer than the standard one

[twinturbo]

Drop the .99's they are not needed. clean on the £ pricing is much more suitable in the modern age.

TT

[vmax1974]

Drop the .99's they are not needed. clean on the £ pricing is much more suitable in the modern age.

TTdone thanks for the feedback

[metal matt]

When do you think you will have the double bobble aero screen done as I might be interested in one as I haven't done anything yet because I haven't seen anything I liked. I did buy one from the BAY and it went straight into the bin.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124541083@N02/

[voucht]

If you are in a hurry, the GBS Zero aero screen (available from Kit Spare or directly from GBS) perfectly fits Haynes scuttles, and is good quality. That is the one I bough for my Roadster.

[vmax1974]

When do you think you will have the double bobble aero screen done as I might be interested in one as I haven't done anything yet because I haven't seen anything I liked. I did buy one from the BAY and it went straight into the bin.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124541083@N02/
The aeroscreen is my January project so should be ready for sale in February just in time to fit for the summer

if you have a sketch of what you would like I could try and work it into the final product

[RichardH]

when you are up and running i need side panels in yellow, and probably a rear tub once i check it fits talons chassis

[RichardH]

ok cheers phil. alloy rear it is then

[SeanI]

like this one here

http://www.kitcardirect.co.uk/westfield-double-bubble-scuttle-mounted-aero-screen-grp.html

[wylliezx9r]

like this one here

http://www.kitcardirect.co.uk/westfield-double-bubble-scuttle-mounted-aero-screen-grp.html

That will most likely fit anyway they're really flexible.

[PorkChop]

like this one here

http://www.kitcardirect.co.uk/westfield-double-bubble-scuttle-mounted-aero-screen-grp.html

I believe these are ex Julian Eisel (Aerodynamix) aeroscreens.

If so, they'll fit a SSC scuttle. Julian and I offered one up against mine to check.

[vmax1974]

New aeroscreen does look very similar

[flyerncle]

Can you link/post pic of dash panel please,and when they will be available.

[vmax1974]

As soon as I have one I will get them posted

[SteveH1]

Talon if your gonna make snotty comments at least stand by them instead of deleting them straight away people still get the email with the comment if they are subscribed.
Its petty really.

[vmax1974]

Talon if your gonna make snotty comments at least stand by them instead of deleting them straight away people still get the email with the comment if they are subscribed.
Its petty really.must have missed that one

[Rosco]

Talon if your gonna make snotty comments at least stand by them instead of deleting them straight away people still get the email with the comment if they are subscribed.
Its petty really.


haha busted!!

[TheArf]

So what did it say? don't keep us in suspence:confused:

[vmax1974]

Well today is the day I nip down into the land of soft southerners and collect the moulds I have hired a van made the arrangements beat the wife (not really she would kill me) kicked the dog (she too sweet to do that) and cleared the garage and sorted out the garage heating so its not like working in a cow shed anymore just a laminating table to build and I can start producing bodywork

[NeilW]

You would think it's almost Christmas! Are you going to wrap them up for yourself :D

[vmax1974]

You would think it's almost Christmas! Are you going to wrap them up for yourself :Dof course some super hero paper maybe a bit of frozen mixed in for good measure

[MrsVmax]

Well today is the day I nip down into the land of soft southerners and collect the moulds I have hired a van made the arrangements beat the wife (not really she would kill me) ......
Try and remember your kind wife has her own sign in to the forum and can see when husband posts tall stories ....... see you when you get home then :eek:

[SteveH1]

Mrs vmax careful of the moulds :)

[vmax1974]

I am now back from the short trip the moulds are with me and I will start going through what needs to be done to get them in peak condition in the morning

[rpjg1975]

That was a nice easy trip then mate? Now the hard work starts!!!

Russ

[flyerncle]

Sort it out with the wife first.......:p

[vmax1974]

Now that I have everything I need to make a few body sets I am finding space a bit of a premium I can manage for now but going to have to think about a unit sooner or later anyone throwing a shed out locally for all the brother in laws tut that I seem to be storing

[vmax1974]

After what seems like weeks of wet flatting and polishing I finally have the moulds to a point where I am happy with them so this week I will pull a fresh master from the nosecone mould as I want to make a new mould eventually but now the order book is open

dont expect much before the new year but a will be taking 50% deposits and the remainder when the parts are ready for delivery/ collection

[flyerncle]

Black dash panel,COD as just up the road from you,and soon as you like.

[vmax1974]

First parts made today funny how everything comes flooding back really quickly anyway here is the first part a dash blank http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y523/Vmax1974/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-12/20151215_192033_zpshcaq52ni.jpg

[flyerncle]

Looking good ;)

[TalonMotorFabrication]

I've been looking at how the moulds are made and I have to ask why do they all the same flaws? I went to college to do industrial model making and we where taught that if you can incorporate a clean radious edge or dead edge to the moulds then you don't have the over spill of the fibres and resin. If you use woven roven or cloth up to the edges it makes them stronger and cuts down on the chance of chipping the gel during trimming, it adds to the cost of production but it cuts down the chance of producing seconds. Also making a split mould seemed rather more desirable rather than just removing the return edges and back filling the edges with plasticine to produce the edges.

[TheArf]

Phil, for god sake take a chill pill, the guy is making an attempt to sort out a supply of body parts, criticise others when your own house is fully in order.
you have threatened all sorts of developments etc, but we all know that empty vessels make the most noise.

Merry Christmas

Arfon

[vmax1974]

I've been looking at how the moulds are made and I have to ask why do they all the same flaws? I went to college to do industrial model making and we where taught that if you can incorporate a clean radious edge or dead edge to the moulds then you don't have the over spill of the fibres and resin. If you use woven roven or cloth up to the edges it makes them stronger and cuts down on the chance of chipping the gel during trimming, it adds to the cost of production but it cuts down the chance of producing seconds. Also making a split mould seemed rather more desirable rather than just removing the return edges and back filling the edges with plasticine to produce the edges.
I can only work with the tools I have

[vmax1974]

I've been looking at how the moulds are made and I have to ask why do they all the same flaws? I went to college to do industrial model making and we where taught that if you can incorporate a clean radious edge or dead edge to the moulds then you don't have the over spill of the fibres and resin. If you use woven roven or cloth up to the edges it makes them stronger and cuts down on the chance of chipping the gel during trimming, it adds to the cost of production but it cuts down the chance of producing seconds. Also making a split mould seemed rather more desirable rather than just removing the return edges and back filling the edges with plasticine to produce the edges.

that makes no sense to me but I can only work with the tools I have but if I have learned anything from 20 years on and off of fibreglass experience those who can't.... teach!

[K4KEV]

Ok calm down guys...one thing is for certain Dave has had the balls to take this on and if nobody else had then we would all be at a loss as to where the next set of body panels would come from or be able to order rather than searching ebay or whatever for used or seconds. Constructive criticism has its place but not at the beginning of his venture....support is what Dave needs right now, I'm sure he will amend /modify his moulds to make it both easier for himself or improve quality as and when it is required .....the guy cannot run before he has walked first.

[flyerncle]

Its sensible for all that this should be the end of the conversation....;) And the product speaks for itself.


See you tomorrow Dave.

[vmax1974]

Its sensible for all that this should be the end of the conversation....;) And the product speaks for itself.


See you tomorrow Dave.

agreed see you tomorrow

[SteveH]

ill be needing a 10 piece set with wide scoop bonnet
but im still undecided on what colour to go for
kawasaki green
cobalt blue
orange

if you have any pics of panels in the above colours it might help me decide

regards
steve

[vmax1974]

The only ones I can think of off the top of my head on the green and orange if you search member gus then look at his finished car pics thread thats the green one and search handyandy build thread for the orange

hope that helps and those bodys came from my moulds during the saturn days

[JasonL]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but can anyone tell me what clearance there is on the wide scoop Saturn/Gilliam/Vmax wide scoop bonnet?

I'm at 240mm above the top rails on Phil's TMXR chassis, so I'm planning on getting some modified engine mounts to lower it, but I need to know how low to go.

If anyone has any better ideas, let me know.

[RichardH]

im using the wide scoop bonnet on a tmxr chassis mx5 1.8 engine, i sat the engine on the table and raised the chassis 40mm off the table to make the sump effectively hang 40mm below the chassis and made my engine mounts, clears the bonnet ok

[JasonL]

Thanks Phil. So, are you saying that the bonnet fits with the standard mounts? 240mm seems high.

[SeriesLandy]

ill be needing a 10 piece set with wide scoop bonnet
but im still undecided on what colour to go for
kawasaki green
cobalt blue
orange

if you have any pics of panels in the above colours it might help me decide

regards
steve
My car is ral5005 signal blue. I thought it was going to be a bit darker from using a colour chart online. Cobalt looks like a nice colour

[RichardH]

any pics of how the bodywork is coming along vmax? might be in the market for some

[vmax1974]

Today Ayjay paid me a visit to collect his new nose scuttle and bonnet so after a coffee and a chat we loaded his new bodywork into his car and he is now on his way back to waleshttp://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y523/Vmax1974/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/IMG-20160428-WA0000_zpsy7os6omu.jpg

have a safe trip home

[garyt]

looking good ........ THE BODYWORK..... lol

[TheArf]

Hoping to pop up to Ayjays over the weekend and get a look at his new body work.

Arfon

[norton]

I placed my order for a nose, bonnet, scuttle, aero screen and arches in October last year and I'm yet to receive any of the parts. I and others have received multiple reasons for delay over the months and despite continuing to trust Vmax my trust has now faded. I've reduced my order to a set of rear arches and a refund of the balance - £250. The arches are said to be on the way but there have been multiple delays unlike any other delivery I have ever received.

I'm fed up, I want to know what has happened to my payment and I want to know when I'll be reimbursed. I'm having to be as careful with money as much as the next man. I worked additional shifts at my hospital to pay for this bodywork. I'm no longer able to do that due to child care commitments. I feel like it's all in vain and I've been robbed or conned.

Vmax, it's time to stop giving excuses out and tell us, the people who's money you happily took and tell us what's been going on.

[vmax1974]

Ok after the developements of the last few months i am now looking for a job in order to give refunds to all customers who want one i am going to stop all production of haynes bodywork and put the moulds in storage al refunds will be given on a frist come first served basis and i can only do what i can do but please understand i am attempting to avoid bankruptcy as this will help nobody

[norton]

So where has our money gone? You've put it into materials? Recently I recall you saying you needed to sell seconds before you could buy further materials, ( http://forums.haynes.co.uk/showthread.php?p=105207#post105207 ) it doesn't add up. You've sold all the seconds you add it seems so why has that money not been returned to us? I can't help but feel our money has gone elsewhere and we've dropped down the priority list despite readily taking our cash.

It doesn't seem you're being totally transparent as to where our money has gone. If you ran into problems long before now why not give a comprehensive explanation then? Why drive people to the point of despair?

[vmax1974]

the funds have gone on materials but i have had health issues and a marrage breakup to deal with if you want i can declare bankruptcy how does that sit with you i am still offering the people who have ordered to still get their bodywork as soon as i can but understand i am only one man when i produce seconds i then have to order more materials to make those parts again i am sure thats not hard to understand

[vmax1974]

I have closed my facebook page now

[norton]

No these are not difficult things to understand as clearly I've managed to put 2 and 2 together on my own but there lies the problem, you've offered little insight into what is going on other than tit bits, excuses and persistent stalling hence having to figure it out on our own. This is why people are now angry and far less likely to be empathic or understanding as we've been kept in the dark wondering where our money has gone.

If you're producing seconds why not give the people with outstanding orders first refusal? That plus a small refund would see you squared away but instead you're selling them to others and perpetuating our frustrations.

If you're struggling with you issues in your personal life then get support. Divorce and financial issues are not new things to contend with and there are well established networks out there that can advise and help you through your issues which, are not going to go away.

[K4KEV]

Hang on guys hang on....while I can fully understand it can and is frustrating when you pay for something and its late in coming I know Dave personally and he is no rip off merchant, has anyone noticed that a lot of peeps who have tried to run a one man show with Haynes bodywork have all had serious issues with trying to get bodywork out on time. Spud, Nathan Gillham, these guys had plenty of space, Dave has no where near as much, he picked up the "buck" when no one else could be bothered and "haynes" bodywork nearly disappeared, by all means give him a nudge but having a pop on here will hardly result in him going into turbo building mode given that he has some real issues on his own doorstep to resolve. I'm not saying it is an excuse but where will the body molds go next and will they be as good as Daves, Have patience I'm sure he will deliver one way or the other.

[vmax1974]

Thanks kev i am not out to rip anyone off and i apologise for not keeping you all informed about my personal circumstances I am still wanting to produce quality bodywòrk and still intend to make new moulds for future builders

[norton]

?You may well be able to vouch for him however no one has publically done so so far.

After so many months of nothing its perfectly reasonable to fear for your money which you trusted in someone but continually have nothing in return for. In fact, its reasonable to have felt that months ago let alone now.

I'm not expecting a sudden burst of activity but I do want this to be open and public. I fear others may have paid for bodywork in recent time and are now along for this ride. There is a complete lack of transparency here which is disconcerting for all those involved so I don't recognise me verbalising this publically as being any way out of line.

My criticising the lack of transparency is entirely proportionate as is the way I and others are feeling and I challenge anyone to suggest we've not been reasonable given the great length of time (that is still growing) we've had to wait. If Dave hadn't decided to produce Haynes bodywork we would have just gone elsewhere. I went with Dave has he undercut the other suppliers and it felt good to support someone who was part of this club. Had I have known this would be the outcome I would have simply saved some more and gone elsewhere. Your words almost imply we owe something here?

Your comment 'he picked up the "buck" when no one else could be bothered and "haynes" bodywork nearly disappeared ' is inaccurate. There are two other stable suppliers and as customers its us that are funding this venture as much as him.

[garyout]

I totally agree with Norton and I couldn't have put it better myself I am also one that is in the queue waiting for a refund after making my final payment in October I have waited patiently for the my parts and its finally come to this,like many others i cant afford to loose £500.

I made the decision over the weekend to break my build and start selling it on as I have just fallen out of bed with it with all the waiting, it nearly didn't get off the starting blocks due to being messed about at the start by another supplier but hay ho.

Honesty is the best policy.

so how many want refunds is any one else going to come forward? at least I will then know where I stand in the queue

:mad:

[norton]

Vmax, your inbox is full. There is still no sign of the arches, are they definitely on the way? Not been returned again or anything?

[vmax1974]

I will find out when i get back for you

[norton]

Thank you.

[alga]

https://i.imgur.com/nnEZZC0.png

[SteveH]

Well it looks like there's a few of us on here that's had a long wait for bodywork
I've been waiting about four months now for two side panels that I was at told I'd have them end of February which was ok with me, but it's now near end of may and have been told he'd send them to me asap
I've been told my panels have been made as Dave was going to drop them to me when he was going the kit car show, but he never went
So I've asked him to send them down to me instead as the original price included delivery
Now I know we all have problems in our life's but I can't help feeling slightly dismayed at the service and considerable lack of customer service

[vmax1974]

https://i.imgur.com/nnEZZC0.png

I am starting to believe it

[rpjg1975]

What is the score with these mounds? Nobody seems to have any luck with them!!

[vmax1974]

I think they were poorly made from day one they are getting old and worn out now but essentially what is produced is expected to be cheap due to the locost ethos if you compare what you would pay for Westfield bodywork then remember they are similar in cost and time to produce you can see where the costs need to be kept to a minimum i could work out of a nice big unit instead of the garage at home but then i would have to double the cost of the kits and with the condition of the moulds i am unwilling to increase the cost of parts

[alga]

What's the big deal with making a new set of moulds? Isn't that just 3 times or so more work than to make a set of panels? Nathan was already lamenting the poor state of moulds and was announcing plans of making a replacement set, but the moulds changed hands two times and each owner just keeps bitching about the crappy moulds.

[vmax1974]

What's the big deal with making a new set of moulds? Isn't that just 3 times or so more work than to make a set of panels? Nathan was already lamenting the poor state of moulds and was announcing plans of making a replacement set, but the moulds changed hands two times and each owner just keeps bitching about the crappy moulds.

I would have to make a master part then flat and paint then leave it for a few weeks then flat and polish that to perfection then add 15 coats of polish 20 mins apart then add flanges and barrier pieces then tooling gel then 2 layers of mat leave 24hrs another 2 layers then leave for 24hours and repeat 2 more times remove the flanges and barrier pieces then repeat the laminating process for the flange trim the whole mould drill the flanges then attempt to seperate the part leave it for a week then flat and polish the mould surface then 20 coats of polish 15 m8ns aparh then gelcoat add a single layer of mat leave to cure for 24 hours then remove and scrap that part to break the mould in so its not a 5 min job its closer to 10 times more work and a laminating table tied up for about 5 weeks per mould