im sure that someone was seeing about having one of these made up about a year ago when i was last regularly using the forum so am wondering if there are any available yet.

This is the latest development.

spankyou very much kind sir
i originally had a quote for a c/f bonnet about 2 years ago of £750 per bonnet plus about £1k for the innitial mould charge.i would have thoguh that a c/f coupe bonnet would weigh less than 10-12kg,although this depends on the level of rigidity built into it ect.

Awwww... Pity, i'd love a carbon bonnet...

get one made up then,its just a case of monen as most carbon bonnet suppliers will make you a 1 off,for a price

get one made up then,its just a case of monen as most carbon bonnet suppliers will make you a 1 off,for a price

Maybe so mate, but for a one off, it'd cost more than my car is worth

So i'll either gewt mine sorted or wait until a group buy is sorted, Ta...

fair comment i spose,still gonna be upwards of £600 for a cf bonnet even in a groupe buy as its alot more complex to make a bonnet for a coupe than a normal cars bonnet!!
like i say i was quoted about £750 per bonnet plus the same for a mould so if i got say 15 people to buy one it would be like about £800 facoring a percentage of the mould price split between 15 people,problem is i would probably have to get a 1 off for me because i wouldnt just want a copy,i would want it lipped slightly to deflect wind off the wipers and also subtle venting to keep engine bay temps lower.

fair comment i spose,still gonna be upwards of £600 for a cf bonnet even in a groupe buy as its alot more complex to make a bonnet for a coupe than a normal cars bonnet!!
like i say i was quoted about £750 per bonnet plus the same for a mould so if i got say 15 people to buy one it would be like about £800 facoring a percentage of the mould price split between 15 people,problem is i would probably have to get a 1 off for me because i wouldnt just want a copy,i would want it lipped slightly to deflect wind off the wipers and also subtle venting to keep engine bay temps lower.

That would look tidy mate, you mean like a raised lip on the back edge?

Also some cut-in louvre lines the same width and angle as the back of the headlamp (sort of like the Ferrari 308) would look very nice IMO.

not raised up from the front more from each corner so the bonnet is higher in the middle,kinda so the std lines arent tarnished too much.the best louvre job would be to replica the ferrari 575 le-mans car louvres,i actually mocked one up on paper about 3 years ago but like i say not everyone would want one like this so whatever i decide im pretty much not gonna be able to do a groupe buy

not raised up from the front more from each corner so the bonnet is higher in the middle,kinda so the std lines arent tarnished too much.the best louvre job would be to replica the ferrari 575 le-mans car louvres,i actually mocked one up on paper about 3 years ago but like i say not everyone would want one like this so whatever i decide im pretty much not gonna be able to do a groupe buy

Boo! I'm well up for a c/f bonnet these days!

http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/...&Number=275413&page=1#Post275413

ooopsie.if i didnt know what the insides of a coupe bonnet looked like i would say that you could beat that dent out,but i do so i wont

ooopsie.if i didnt know what the insides of a coupe bonnet looked like i would say that you could beat that dent out,but i do so i wont

Most of it will pull out, then filler the rest, got a dint like that on the corner of mine where someone has put their boot in it...

As for the louvres, thats sort of how I meant only right behind the headlamps.

Most of it will pull out, then filler the rest, got a dint like that on the corner of mine where someone has put their boot in it...

As for the louvres, thats sort of how I meant only right behind the headlamps.

EDITED TO SAY: And it won't let me delete the second one!

I spoke to Alpha Composites about a c/f one, this is what they said:

"we are still considering doing the fiat coupe bonnet moulds. They
will be mainly for motorsport/trackday use, available in either grp or
carbon/polyester with grp inner frames or full carbon/epoxy.
Costs will be approx £275, £425 and £550 respectively. They will be
suplied in white gel coat ready for paint.
We have a bonnet from which to take a mould, all we currently need
is the time due to heavy workload."

Having a GRP, Carbon or even Fibre glass would be beneficial in my opinion.

Firstly the standard steel bonnet is very heavy. From just a small performance point of view, having a less weight on the car would improve performance, perhaps only marginally though.

Secondly, the steel ones are no longer manufactured by Fiat, so getting hold of a replacement is going to start to get very difficult, (if not impossible already).

There has been mention of "what if's", in an accident scenario with an aftermarket bonnet, and would insurers still insure a car with an aftermarket bonnet. I've checked with my insurer over this (Admiral) and they state that that as long as the overall style/look of the bonnet remains the same as the original, premiums would not be increased, and the car would still be insured.

I think there are some technical issues to consider with this.

Firstly the lights, and how they are bolted to the steel bonnet - is this something that can be easily done with an aftermarket (softer) or more brittle material...?

Secondly, the Bonnet Struts are designed to help an enormous weight lift up. If that weight is reduced alot, is that going to cause problems. *Could* the bonnet snap at the point the Bonnet Struts are attached to? *Could* the bonnet lift by itself?

If the technical issues are easily sorted, then the manufacturer who eventually produces these will have quite a few people interested.

It's a shame Mariusz is over in Poland, as the only issue for him is getting the enormouse clam-shell bonnet delivered from overseas. The only solution he has for that is to deliver, say, 10-20 bonnets, and have them stored with someone here.

Now being that i am in the Haulage business i'm sure i could use a Polish haulier to bring over 20 Bonnets and store them here in my warehouse where we could then work out several bulk deliveries by me in the van to strategic points all over the UK.

Does this sound like a plan?

That sounds like a brilliant idea - any idea of cost?

mounting the coupe light to a carbon fibre bonnet isnt really a problem at all and the struts wouldnt really prove a problem either.the bonnet lifting could be a problem though but i wouldnt use the std bonnet latch anyway,i would weld 2 posts,1 either side of the front indicator fog lamps so there's 2 mounting points.insurance wise i dont think theres a problem,aint carbon fibre stronger than aluminium???and insurance companies have no problems insuring cars with alu bonnets.on the accident front the coupe bonnet bends proper easily when hit front.

I'm sure there are "workarounds" to get an aftermarket bonnet to be viable. And as mentioned above, in light of Fiat's apparent lack of stock & production, it has to be worthwhile.

That does sound like a plan.

The main hiccup with Mariusz was delivery and storage. He said he has made Fibreglass bonnets previously. Costs would be lower than expected (Mariusz's prices are always very good).

What would be the next stage in organising this? Sparco, should I ask Mariusz to PM you, so that you can work out if this is logistically okay? Or would you prefer to PM Mariusz?

Does this mean no carbon ones will be made? would they look very very daft unpainted on a yellow coop?

When I was chatting to sparco the other week, he was keen to get one too. I think he knows someone that could do this sort of thing, so might be worth sending a pm his way.

i would paint one rather than leave it bare carbon fibre coloured.when i get my coupe i will start looking for someone to make me one but like i say mine will likely be a 1 off.

i'm with you dean, yellow coupe with a carbon bonnet. only reason i would buy one if im honest. then i can black my alloys too.

Matt i'm afraid the guy i now use of r carbon bits won't do bonnets, only little things, bike stuff mainly.

Cicolo if you get Mariusz to PM me or e-mail me at marco@haigtransport.co.uk and we will see what the logistics of it all are and i'll work out transport costings. This way hopefully we can come up with an all in price for a GRP bonnet.

Sparco; I'll contact Mariusz, and get him to contact you to work things out.

As for Carbon, I think Mariusz will also produce bonnets in that material too, but clearly this would be more expensive.

I actually sent an email about carbon bonnets to Alpha composites yesterday. They would produce one if they had 5 definites to buy with prices as mentioned in the group buy thread. So if anyone is genuinely interested from a top quality manufacturer of carbon fibre then tell me and I will sort it out.

I,m intrested in a carbon bonnet

JohnS - did you see the prices that they gave me? (as above)

They seem up and down cos the said only £550 for a c/f one - same price a a new steel one! They went as low as £275 for a GRP one too

Maybe I should be explicit.

Who wants a carbon fibre or GRP bonnet and is willing to outlay the cost of one? Rough prices I got are probably the same -

presumably the cf ones can also be obtained with the carbon exposed for a bit more.

I reckon that £275 for a GRP would be well worth a go and if we can't do anything with our Polish counterparts which i can't really see logistically, especially if at that price i'd probably just go with Alpha.

What is the build time on these? I'm not desperate and they would take a while to get made but i reckon they would want paying up front or at least something.

So yes i want one if it's cheaper than what we can do via Mariusz.

So is the carbon not exposed on a carbon bonnet?

Grant.. PM sent

I will make fibreglas bonnets.. I need about 3 weeks for first, and if all will be perfect.. I will put pictures here..

And what sort of prices are we looking at mate?

most carbon bonnets are laquered up quite heavily but you can get bare carbon fibre which is the exposed type.or you can get it painted but usually it has to be prepped at the manufactur stage to paint up really well

Well up for one of these one way or another my pref would be, in order:

1.Carbon Fibre - Exposed Weave @ £550
2.GRP ready to paint @ £275
3.Carbon Fibre - ready to paint

Want that one!

Depending on quality, count me in too.

me too.

Dunno which one yet mind, don't know if i'd want carbon if it's painted, cos then no-one will will know its carbon!, GRP for me maybe, dunno if bare carbon would suit a yellow coop, would look lovely on a silver one IMO

Do you know the differance between 1 and 3. both will be in a smooth clear gel

My concern would be that if GRP, the finished article will be slightly smaller than an original bonnet. You may end up with the side doors sticking out further than the bonnet itself! Bad for aesthetics...and wind noise.

well you aint gonna get a group buy together if you all want a different material/finish!!!!!

It will be the same size as the original one if the mould is left to do its thing over a week or so (kept on the original bonnet to pervent shrinkage)

Also i car't see a problem with a group buy. for carbon or grp you will use the same mould so it make no differance how it is made. as long as the mould is top notch

trust me,they will want to make a seperate mould for carbon fibre and grp!

why do you need a different mould for 2 different materials? I thought a mould would be okay for anything. It is shrinkage and stuff?

If there was enough interest and i could get an LPG van or an old transit that i could use on veg oil then i wouldnt mind taking up the trip for 10 people.

Does Mariusz not make them at all or tried yet?

Sorry missed your post Mariusz Let me know if you want the help

Like I say mate, definately interested, just got decide on carbon / grp or whatever becomes available.

There is no need for a seperate mould at all like i said if the mould is upto a high polish its good for both. both are waxed and made the same etc .

Ps im up for one as i can't be botherd makeing a mould lol plus i dont have the time i will have a think??

Like i said if i can get a van or something from someone either LPG or veggie and the fuel and crossing covered i dont mind doing the trip, maybe even pay a bit towards it to cover the mini holiday i would have and take mrs pleb and mini pleb with me lol

Hello mate.. First I want to make bonnet, and if everythink will be OK, I will let you know.. This is not easy product.. I have to make a project of metal fixings for hinges, lock, bonnet dampers, light fixings.. etc. I want to make standard and Maranello bonnets..

I think, you have very good offer in UK.. Fibreglass bonnet in Germany costs about 560 GBP.. so you will check quality before order..

So there are potentially two or more suppliers for this type of bonnet.
I think there is a conflict of interest here. Traders should not be discussing commercial solutions interspursed with us enthusiasts trying to organise a group buy. It puts us in a compromised position over our choice of supplier (and it should be our choice). I appreciate Mariusz' goodwill but it does not leave a level playing field for other suppliers such as Alpha Composites or any other contacts we might collectively have to put in a competitive offer based on interest.
Sorry to get on my high horse but IMHO this forum does not adequately manage the difference between trader-organised purchases or group buys (for profit) and enthusiast organised group buys (for greater good of the forum members and fiat coupe owners).
Please could the moderators advise as to what to do.

John

I will keep a keen eye on your progress Mariusz! How about rally and race style bonnet clamps? (Sorry to many ideas)

Hmm, a tricky one JohnS. Lets see what the mods say.

I see what your saying John but its still you guys 'the forum members' that make the decision on what bonnet to go for.
If Mariusz produces a bonnet then as far as I can see thats just one option that you have, no one is obliged to buy that one, having some competition between several companies only makes for better options and maybe better price for us.

The idea of a carbon or composite bonnet has been knocked around on here for quite some years, its good to see things actually moving forward now

John, are you in contact with Alpha composites ? Are they willing to make a compsite bonnet for the coupe now ?

I don't mind paying a bit more for something that is:

Perfect and very little prep needed for painting.
Matches the shut lines perfectly.
Safe, will not crack and flex so much that at speed, the catch doesn't lift causing the bonnet to fly up.
Rigid, I don't want my headlights shaking all over the place at night.

As for the struts... just use old knackered ones, they should be fine for a lighter bonnet.

I only want a grp one for track use

Me too, but I want it to be robust enough for track and road use, especially at night without the headlights shaking all over the place

Hi all.

I just bought a set of lightweight carbon fibre doors.Also have pre preg C.F bonnet,tailagte and am having a set of C.F front wings made for the car as I speak/type.

I also just got these beautifull carbon fibre mirrors in from Japan for the car.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/alfa147turbo/MVC-004Svc.jpg http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/alfa147turbo/MVC-002Sye.jpg http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/alfa147turbo/MVC-006Srt.jpg

No mate.. I think, you can to buy bonnet in UK, no problem.. Price is very good and if quality, materials, fixings etc. will be good and safe.. you will buy in UK, no problem. I will make bonnets for order one very big German firm, not for members FCCUK forum.. so I do not persuade anybody, to purchase in AutoDS Team Poland..

First I want to make this bonnet, we can then speak about concretes..

I just don't agree with mixing trade with personal, and nor does UK law in so much as you must clearly mark a trade sale as opposed to a private sale. On some other forums traders who post are required to pay additional subs and there is a specific area where they post. I think we need the same.
Alpha composites will make a coupe bonnet if we can get 5 definites. They have good provenance in making bonnets and are carbonfibre experts which is why I find them preferable. Additionally I think it is a better material structurally (and if you've ever seen a coupe bonnet pop open due to structural flexing you'll agree with me!).

Also if I ever drive into a pedestrian (perish the thought) they'll have a better chance. Aside from getting sucked into my turbo or melting on my exhaust manifold

Well I'm up for this depending on cost John.

I would like to see one first though. Chicken, egg and all that

me too, and would also like to see finished article first if possible?

There are plenty of other companies other than than Alpha Composites in the UK that will gladly make a carbon or GRP bonnet or any other body panel or part for any car.And you dont need to have 5 people to have one made.Places like All-Smiles,Rivere,Magnum Motorsport etc etc.

My one off carbon wings are costing me 450 quid sterling a wing.The cost isnt really the carbon fibre itself but more the labour and the making of the mould to make the wing.

I sent over a set of steel wings to be used as patters for making the moulds and the carbon wings will be ready for the end of Febuary.

Come guys,dont be chicken,just hand over yur bonnet and have the part remade in C.F.All this business of "I want one but I dont want to be 1st to do it" or "I want to see 1 1st" pisses me off.

As it just ends up in all talk and no action at all.

If you supply a bonnet that is perfect and not dammaged,then you get it back the same way but made in C.F.

Simple as that.Lets cut all the chit chat out and get straight to it.Thats how I do it anyway.

alpha already have a coupe bonnet (kindly donated by Trevor)...

With all due respect Paddy, I would like to see what I'm spending my money on first.

If that means someone else going first, then so be it.

Well are they gonna make a carbon bonnet or is at least 5 people actually gonna stump up a deposit for them to make a carbon bonnet?

I have read threrads like this over and over before and when push comes to shove,some people are all talk and no action.Alot of people will say---"Yeah count me in,I want one".

But when they are asked for the money or a deposit they suddenly come up with excuses and go all quiet with rergards paying for the item.

Like,I said,if Alpha Composites want 5 people to do this,then theres plenty of other UK companies that will gladly do one off carbon,GRP,Kevlar bodywork for any car.No need for 5 people either.They will make for just 1 customer.They wont turn away new business.

And very good quality too.Rivere,All-Smiles,Magnum Motorsport etc.

So who will actually stump up cash to do this.Because you need 5 definate people and their money to do this carbon bonnet.So come on,lets have 5 members here who will DEFFINATELY pay for this to be done.

Otherwize this thread will go on and on and on and will go nowhere in the long run.

I hate that.As in-let someone else do all the hard work 1st.Then jump on the bandwagon.

If you really want something that isnt yet made or not available for your car,then you would go and get it made yourself,not just sit and talk about it.

Are you prepared to stump up the cash/deposit up front and be one of 5 people for Alpha Composites to make a carbon fibre bonnet?Are you that commited to a carbon bonnet?

If I can do it,then so can anyone else.It aint hard to do.

I wanted a loads of carbon parts.Couldnt find exactly what I wanted,so Im having them made for me instead.Not just sitting back and asking and wanting for it.

I'm jumping on no bandwagon.

This wasn't something I personally thought about, but seeing the post made me think. We will be using the car for company track days and TBH the standard bonnet needs a re-spray anyway.

If I don't go down this route I will have a one-off made though.

I just have some concerns (as the car will be used on roads too) as to wobbly headlights at night. It is my responsibility to ensure my staff and pedestrians are safe.

TBH, I don't know enough about Carbon Fibre, but wouldn't consider GRP (from other experiences with it)

And yes, I always put my money where my mouth is, but I would like to see what I am getting first.

If I had a one-off made, and I wasn't happy, I see a lesser issue with putting it right.

As nobody seems to have done this before, I do have some concerns.

I had a specially commissioned GRP/Marine ply product made for me two years ago (not car related). It cost me £2,600, which I was prepared to pay... for all 10-foot of it!

Needless to say it is now in my garage in bits

there is actually a grp one available from taiwan but it is £550 + shipping so prohibitively expensive.

Not knowing anything about this at all in terms of bonnets.

How do the carbon composite manfs mitigate galvanic corrosion issues? Is the carbon fully encapsulated at the hinges, or is this a potential oversight?

yes it is encapsulated(well depending on manufacturer) as I understand it.

Hold on a sec fun-boy, I'm not stumping up for 550 quid for something i've not seen regardless of you yapping on about how we are 'jumping on a bandwagon'. It's a group-buy, not a bandwagon...

You can say it's all top notch, but until I see it or have good feedback from fellow forum members, then its a no from me, if established members pipe up and say the quality is superb / well worth the money etc. then i'll have one straight away.

RANT OVER.

Any news on this? Maurisz gettng anywhere?

and so the saga continues....

i'm making some enquiries as well now.

anyone have the dimensions of the original bonnet roughly?!

i've already been speaking to alpha composites and it looks like i'll have to take my bonnet and boot down for them to make a mould.

I'm only after a grp set for track days but i reckon when they have a mould then it won't matter.

Needless to say, I'm not going to be buying one now

I've been kind of dealing with Mariusz on this issue too.

The issue with Mariusz is less to do with the price of the bonnets, but more to do with a the carriage costs per bonnet from Poland, and that really for this to be economically viable for all parties, some level of storage in the UK needs to be made available, so that Maruisz can then send out a bulk shipment, (reducing carriage per item), but paying one single bulk carriage charge, which can be split between each bonnet.

I should be in in my new place by July sometime, where I'll have the storage space, but until then I've not arranged anything further.

The two sticking points with this is:

1. Storage for, say, 10 bonnets - to be resolved in July.
2. Definite buyers for the 10 bonnets, in a group buy scenario - to be arranged once I know the storage situation is secured, and we have an idea on prices.

My old man has just opened a new garage and could make some storage space available and maybe fit some bonnets for a minimal cost! I will ask him!