Panel beater needed

[Herr Doktor]

The power bulge of the fibre glass bonnet on my mk 1 Escort has become seriously flimsy overtime.

 

I'm thinking of getting hold of a decent bonnet and employ a panel beater to fabricate one in steel instead. The problem lies in my inability to find one prepared to take on the job!!

 

Any ideas?

Cheers

[PaulMags]

why dont you just buy the bulge or a bonnet of a mk1 capri. there about.

[lemansmk1]

Can you not reinforce it with fibreglass matting?

[rallyesport04]

_{im with mags get a capri bulge an weld it to a mk1 bonnet}

[PaulMags]

Its the only way really.i myself had a fibre glass bonnet with the bulge the skins were coming apart and it was heavier than a steel one.

[mr zefect]

My old mk2 van with a 3.1 Essex lump

Had a bulge that was cut from a capri bonnet and welded

In and looked Good.

[Herr Doktor]

Can you not reinforce it with fibreglass matting?

 

Guy in the bodyshop [who is somewhat OCD to be honest] reckons it's "too far gone".

 

Your idea of a Capri could work Paul. The bulge is quite long so would need to be off a 3l I guess. This looks "similar" to mine http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-CAPRI-MK1-3000-GTXLR-BONNET-OFF-A-FACELIFT-MODEL-/261488436218?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3ce1ece3fa

 

The bonnet above is £130 at the moment. When combined with the cost of a Mk1 Escort bonnet, the cutting, welding and filling involved would I be just as wise to get a Carbon Fiber one perhaps?

[PaulMags]

I.d sooner have a metal one to be honest.its down to you.fibre glass is nothing but a headache.if your having a nice paint job on your car i'll guarantee you'll have micro blisting at some stage.the mk1 capri one is just right for a mk1 escort bonnet.just cut your hole out and spot weld it every inch and half'

[PaulMags]

also if your going down that route get someone to plasma cut the hole out.

[Herr Doktor]

Cheers Paul, do you know anybody that plasma cuts around our way?

[Danish]

why dont you just buy the bulge or a bonnet of a mk1 capri. there about.

 

We did this a few weeks ago - took the bulge from a crashed Mk3 Capri bonnet and welded it to a Mk3 Cortina bonnet which is running a Rover V8. I don't have any photos though as I was just welding someone else's car, but it looked surprisingly good when we'd finished.

[Herr Doktor]

We did this a few weeks ago - took the bulge from a crashed Mk3 Capri bonnet and welded it to a Mk3 Cortina bonnet which is running a Rover V8. I don't have any photos though as I was just welding someone else's car, but it looked surprisingly good when we'd finished.

 

Could you give me a rough estimate on cost please?

I'm weighing up that route or go full carbon fiber

Cheers

[Danish]

Could you give me a rough estimate on cost please?

I'm weighing up that route or go full carbon fiber

Cheers

 

I just did it as a favour for a mate. But it was about an hour of welding. We were lucky we had access to a bonnet from a Capri which had hit a lamp post  

 

I'll see if I can get some photos...

[Herr Doktor]

I just did it as a favour for a mate. But it was about an hour of welding. We were lucky we had access to a bonnet from a Capri which had hit a lamp post  

 

I'll see if I can get some photos...

 

That would be great thanks

[Herr Doktor]

Holy thread revival Batman...

 

I'm still looking for a decent panel beater. This is a link to another more recent thread

http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk/ipb/index.php?/topic/84179-mk1-escort-boot-de-skinning/?hl=%2Bpanel+%2Bbeater&do=findComment&comment=929516

 

Incidentally, regards my previous request, I sourced a pre face lift Capri bonnet and removed the bulge then had it welded on to a steel bonnet. Looks mint