Is it worth developing a carbon fiber hood?

[a55691366]

I'm exploring the possibility of developing a carbon fiber hood to replace the current steel/iron hood for my 1972 EB
Potential benefits:
Noticeable weight reduction → improved performance, handling,
Much more premium, aggressive, and "fancy" modern appearance
Better heat management and no rust issues
However, the manufacturing cost would be approximately $1,500 USD per hood, plus a significant upfront investment in custom molds and tooling.


Would this be worth it?

 

[JB Fab]

Improved performance, handling?.......... Bronco?

 

[PCB 4x4]

I've been considering the same thing

 

[a55691366]

I've been considering the same thing

Personally, I’d be willing to pay an extra $1,000 for a carbon fiber hood over the steel version, but the mold investment is quite high.

 

[serial car restorer]

I suspect the target audience would be too small to be economically viable.

 

[Dylan_Shaffer]

I made a carbon fiber hood for mine, it looks cool and is super light. I plan on making more at some point but have a few other projects I need to get done with first.

 

[a55691366]

我给我的车做了个碳纤维引擎盖，看起来很酷，而且超级轻。我打算以后再做几个，不过现在还有几个项目要先完成。

Cool, how much does it cost if DIY without the mold?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Another issue in making the hoods is distributing them. I remember someone just trying to do fiberglass hoods and the damage in transit rate was insanely high. They were down to local pickup only and you are on the hook for shipping without damage. Carbon fiber isn't as fixable as fiberglass.

 

[a55691366]

I made a carbon fiber hood for mine, it looks cool and is super light. I plan on making more at some point but have a few other projects I need to get done with first.

Damn, that carbon fiber weave is just too sexy to resist

 

[Dylan_Shaffer]

I made a cheap mold for this one and all in was probably $1500. For anything production wise you’d want to dump a few more thousand into making the mold and do an oven cure.

Cool, how much does it cost if DIY without the mold

 

[Broncobowsher]

Damn, that carbon fiber weave is just too sexy to resist

They have stickers if you just want the look.

 

[PCB 4x4]

Personally, I’d be willing to pay an extra $1,000 for a carbon fiber hood over the steel version, but the mold investment is quite high.

I'm well aware how much molds costs

 

[PCB 4x4]

I spent 30,000 alone on a full carbon roof.

 

[Scoop]

Agree with others - not a big enough market to make it worthwhile. If I wanted a carbon fiber look hood I would probably wrap an existing fiberglass hood. Weight savings would only benefit a handful of Baja racers.

 

[Dude 713]

I would just wait the Chinese will probably do a whole carbon fiber body.

 

[Shimmy]

in all seriousness it wouldn't take much to take all those stamps and create a mold

 

[PCB 4x4]

Anything can be made with enough time and money, it's another thing if you can recoup your investment.

 

[Dylan_Shaffer]

I was planning on making another mold soon, have a fresh hood ready to go. Might have to pick up the pace on it if you guys want one.

 

[DirtDonk]

If I remember correctly, the hood on MTFIT's "buggy" (red '71) weighed in at a hefty 7lbs!
Of course, it was also a narrowed version of the stock hood, but it was LIGHT for sure.
Have you ever weighed yours Dylan?

Paul

 

[PRC12]

Check eBay. There's one listed for $2900.00 with the seller based in Los Angeles.