29 replies to this topic

[tiger99]

This is very sad. But bearing in mind the relative ease of setting up as a GRP manufacturer compared to other things (like, for example, making gearboxes), the market is wide open for someone to have a go. Things like the need for product liability insurance, which in turn may impose proper quality control, make it harder than it once was, in the hot rod and beach buggy era, and the need for IVA on the finished vehicles is also a strong deterrent, but it is probably still possible to tool up to make Mini - like shells and even make a modest profit. Kevlar and carbon fibre used correctly can do a lot for safety.

If anyone does, please think about making van shells. I would really like to have a van again, but the lack of some of the often needed panels makes me think that it will not be happening. A saloon and van would of course use many common moulds.

[finch661]

Not quite a GRP mini shell but....

http://www.exosports...viking_kit.html

 

Oh, yes sir, i can Google, i can Google all night long.

I want one!!

[Itsaminithing]

 

Not quite a GRP mini shell but....

http://www.exosports...viking_kit.html

 

Oh, yes sir, i can Google, i can Google all night long.

I want one!!

 

Then you're weird        ....(says the guy who likes the Mini Minus Maxi ).

 

ABS are still showing Mini Sprint shells  (https://www.absmotor...ls/mini-sprint/) but i REALLY WANT a TDK/FRA hatchback.

Anyone got updates on the FRA moulds?

Edited by Itsaminithing, 02 August 2017 - 05:53 PM.

[mm man]

This is very sad. But bearing in mind the relative ease of setting up as a GRP manufacturer compared to other things (like, for example, making gearboxes), the market is wide open for someone to have a go. Things like the need for product liability insurance, which in turn may impose proper quality control, make it harder than it once was, in the hot rod and beach buggy era, and the need for IVA on the finished vehicles is also a strong deterrent, but it is probably still possible to tool up to make Mini - like shells and even make a modest profit. Kevlar and carbon fibre used correctly can do a lot for safety.
If anyone does, please think about making van shells. I would really like to have a van again, but the lack of some of the often needed panels makes me think that it will not be happening. A saloon and van would of course use many common moulds.

I company was making GRP van shells and pick up shells a few years ago (5+) I spoke to them at a couple of mini shows .
I think they were in the Cambridgeshire area???
Someone will be along sone with some more info :)

[finch661]

 

 

Not quite a GRP mini shell but....

http://www.exosports...viking_kit.html

 

Oh, yes sir, i can Google, i can Google all night long.

I want one!!

 

Then you're weird        ....(says the guy who likes the Mini Minus Maxi ).

 

ABS are still showing Mini Sprint shells  (https://www.absmotor...ls/mini-sprint/) but i REALLY WANT a TDK/FRA hatchback.

Anyone got updates on the FRA moulds?

 

Its very different. If your mini was absolutely rotten, then it would make a very unique and interesting project

[Itsaminithing]

 

This is very sad. But bearing in mind the relative ease of setting up as a GRP manufacturer compared to other things (like, for example, making gearboxes), the market is wide open for someone to have a go. Things like the need for product liability insurance, which in turn may impose proper quality control, make it harder than it once was, in the hot rod and beach buggy era, and the need for IVA on the finished vehicles is also a strong deterrent, but it is probably still possible to tool up to make Mini - like shells and even make a modest profit. Kevlar and carbon fibre used correctly can do a lot for safety.
If anyone does, please think about making van shells. I would really like to have a van again, but the lack of some of the often needed panels makes me think that it will not be happening. A saloon and van would of course use many common moulds.

I company was making GRP van shells and pick up shells a few years ago (5+) I spoke to them at a couple of mini shows .
I think they were in the Cambridgeshire area???
Someone will be along sone with some more info :)

 

Probably would have been Minitrack.

Also dissolved recently!

 

 

[ckneller321]

There's a company just north of Northampton called Jalta Group which I think owns the Hawk mini sprint moulds. I think?!? It seems like they definitely owned them at some point. Information is so limited on those shells though and of this company too. If you do some digging you can find their website but even that takes a little finding!

 

They have the site which was mentioned before...

http://grpmini.com/H...AND SALOON.html

 

And also this one which says it's apparently updating this year. It's all a bit odd and lacking in information!

http://www.jaltagroup.co.uk/

[nicklouse]

There's a company just north of Northampton called Jalta Group which I think owns the Hawk mini sprint moulds. I think?!? It seems like they definitely owned them at some point. Information is so limited on those shells though and of this company too. If you do some digging you can find their website but even that takes a little finding!

 

They have the site which was mentioned before...

http://grpmini.com/H...AND SALOON.html

 

And also this one which says it's apparently updating this year. It's all a bit odd and lacking in information!

http://www.jaltagroup.co.uk/

the molds were sold in 2015

http://www.theminifo...moulds-on-ebay/

 

now available from ABS Motorsport

https://www.absmotor...-composite-kit/

[Itsaminithing]

There's a company just north of Northampton called Jalta Group which I think owns the Hawk mini sprint moulds. I think?!? It seems like they definitely owned them at some point. Information is so limited on those shells though and of this company too. If you do some digging you can find their website but even that takes a little finding!

 

If you use the Government Companies House website you can look up if the company is still operating. Very useful if you're about to 'shell out' a lot of money to a company & want to check them out (apologies for the bad pun).

https://beta.compani...ompany/10020285

 

Nicklouse do you know if  ABS bought the van/pickup moulds off James?

 

[nicklouse]

that I don't know. but he does not have any for sale.

[ckneller321]

Did ABS buy the hawk moulds or were they different ones?

[nicklouse]

Did ABS buy the hawk moulds or were they different ones?

http://maximummini.b...production.html

[Mini-dude]

Wow a lot of companies have gone down, didn't know that many were dead

[greenwheels]

If this goes through  https://www.gov.uk/g...lity-and-safety

the A series engine will never pass emissions requirements. See section 4.11

[Mini-dude]

If this goes through  https://www.gov.uk/g...lity-and-safety
the A series engine will never pass emissions requirements. See section 4.11

You have 2 option my friend either a Toyota prius engine swap or join the electric crowd (http://www.theminifo...going-electric/)

Edited by Mini-dude, 01 March 2018 - 10:26 AM.