Carbon fibre console fascia etc: Gauging interest

After some helpful information from Nigel, i was wondering what kind of interest there would be for a carbon fibre centre console fascia and transmission tunnel.

Prices would be between £150-£200 each, im getting one made up for my car so once thats done i would be able to supply pictures and details.

I think it would look great especially as most centre consoles have started to wear badly (mine has) and would certainly suit red or ink nlack cars the most.

I'd be very interested. Mine are both looking very 'tired' now.

Indeed, i think a properly made replacement item would be alot better than a refurb.

Mine is still in A1 condition, i would however be very interested if the following comes to fruission.

Well i am definitely getting at least 10 made including my own so there would be some available to buy.

If lots of interest is shown then i would have more manufactured, this would lower the lead time as well.

Just a reminder this will not be a group buy, i will be paying for these myself then selling them on afterwards.

I'm sure you will get lots of interest. We would obviously like to see the finish and the quality of the product before a decision is made to part with the cash

Indeed, once mine are fitted, i will post lots of pictures, some will also get to see it in the flesh at the south meet in April.

ashtray as well???

i would be very intrested also, price does sound high though.

Well, production on the moulds is going to start next week for the centra fascia and transmission tunnel, so the prototypes should be ready by early april.

Its unlikely that i will get the ashtray/gearshift surround made up as it has a complex metal framework riveted to it so transferring it onto a new framework might be time consuming and annoying, although carbon fibre ashtray i will look into.

Here is an idea of what the finish will be like:

High Gloss Finish

Very difficult to take a good picture of carbon fibre.

will it be wet lay up or pre preg?

Its vacuum infusion which is somewhere between the two.

so there autoclave vacuum pressed sounds good

Here's some info on how the carbon fibre parts are made:

We use a 'vacuum infusion' process to make the majority of our carbon fibre parts. This is a closed-mould process, which requires the complete laminate of dry reinforements to be layed into the mould, before being bagged and sealed, then infused with the resin polymer under vacuum. This technique produces high quality laminates, free from air bubbles or excess resin (which are common problems with hand or 'wet' lay-up approaches). While we don't use autoclaves to cure our parts like in pre-preg (aerospace) applications, we often post-cure items in low temperature ovens to ensure structural stability.

Each laminate can be constructed differently depending on each customers requirements. In the case of dash parts, most customers want the high gloss carbon fibre finish as cheaply as possible - in this case we use a single layer of carbon fibre 2x2 twill fabric, backed with layers of woven e-glass (woven fibreglass). Some customers may want 100% carbon fibre throughout the part, which can be done for a premium over the standard part (but is not visable once the part is fitted).

Once the parts are cured, they are trimmed and sanded by hand, before they are polished and individually packaged.

how it going now ??

Yes im also wondering

Yes im also wondering

me too

The moulds are pretty much done so im just waiting for the first batch to be made up and then they will be fitted to my car ready for the South Meet.

On another note some of the features of the standard parts have been changed slightly in carbon to keep the final cost at a reasonable level and so that there is very little modification/butchering of your needed to make them fit perfectly.

not know of a rough cost yet

hows it going not heard anything for a bit ??

The prototypes are done, havent had chance to goto chichester to get them, been so busy!

I have some pictures of them, ill post them up later.

Interested....

Im picking the finished article(s) up on saturday, so ill post pictures on sunday.

Sounds promising Put me down as interested.

James

Is the price still £150-£200 for a Centerstack console?
I would love to see a pic before I decide

Picked up the first prototypes today, the transmission tunnel looks awesome, the centre console fascia needs a little work, as im not happy with the "rigidity" of it as a whole.

Its lacking screw fixings for the heater/switches as well, which i need to find someway to fabricate and attach.

Pics please!

I sneaked a look today and they looked good

pics would be great, shame there wont be for for a 16vt

Pics pics pics pics pics pics pics

/\ as above!!!

Will do tomorrow!

(ill get someone else todo actually as i seem incapable of remembering to do this )

Heres some piccys of the prototypes:

Fascia

Side View

Handbrake Surround

Side view

As you can see they need alot more work to be perfect, button fixings and the temp sensor gaps need adding to the fascia, as well as additional rigidity as i think its to thin atm as it might get damaged during installtion.

The handbrake surround looks and feels really good, need to cut out mirror switch and it needs the tray cutout and and handbrake cutout with some trim for the gaitor.

Mmmmmmmm GIVE!

Looks like a lotta hard work gone in there to get them done and it looks fantastic!!

they will look even better once they are done!! phwoar is the word for those i think

When do you want my order!

They look fantastic!

I have hard cash here ready and waiting

Same here

Ben

V. nice

Are these laminates to stick on over the top of standard items or replacements?

John

They will be replacement items for the OEM part.

any update on final price?

i want give give give

By the power of greyskull! I want to play with it now. It's my turn, MY TURN!!!

Any idea when they will be ready?

Nice twill carbon as well, the best pattern that gives. Doubt it will be cheap but does look the part

Im going to see the chap again sometime next week to sort out the fixings

They will cost about £175 each inc P&P and any attachments/fixings needed.

If your not sure about fitting them yourself then book in with PowerFiat and either Rog or I will fit it for you (for a nominal fee )

Truly awesome work there...

It looks really nice

silly question time..

is there going to be a bit for the front ashtray / ashtray surround, the bit under the fascia?

also, as for the handbrake bit, how are the trays going to be attached?

cheers

Im not doing the Ashtray atm, although i am toying with the idea of getting a stick on fascia for it as well as the driver and passenger side vents, it would then match the rest of it

there will be no "rear" storage compartment on the handbrake surround I think it ruins the lines of it, the tray itself cant be moulded into the carbon fibre design as the bends are to tight to lay up, so i am getting a plastic moulding company to make up the centre tray, which will then be bonded underneath the cutout tray area.

Any thoughts on doing the dash and door strips to match the whole look ?

Yes, they will be very easy to make in comparison, so ill see to them afterwards

Can I just add the idea of carbon fibre a pillars as I think they'd look the tits and again be a lot easier to do...

Do we have an idea of when we can burnour money on these lovely console fascias?....

I saw them today and I think I like them

Ive been to sort out the fixings for the heater controls and buttons, so they should be ready in a few weeks at the earliest.

Any update?

I am also very interested of the middle console part.
When it is ready for delivery ?
Also would be nice to know what is the final pricing.

Any news?

any news akeme?

Still interested in this, any news ?