I use the mdf for the basic shape, then I will use bondo/filler/primer and losts of sanding and waxing later.....then take a mold. this time I want to skip painting the mockups because I had a lot of problems with the (automotive) paints I have used so far...still learning to make a perfect mold I guess...

[This message has been edited by Fie Ro (edited 01-28-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Fie Ro: I use the mdf for the basic shape, then I will use bondo/filler/primer and losts of sanding and waxing later.....this time I want to skip painting because I had a lot of problems with the (automotive) paints I have used so far...still learning to make a perfect mold I guess...

Still looks good, you need to finish already , what do you do for a living anyways? Ohh and you missed the... I OWN PAGE 4 remark .. just a thought

WOW!!!! keep up the great work! what carrer are you in?? a carpenter or something?? sounds like if ur job is ur fiero

Alex

[This message has been edited by mr.tourismo (edited 01-28-2005).]

lol, no I am not a carpenter, I just like to build the many ideas that keep coming from my sick brain...

My actual job is in broadcast television, doing graphics and leader design...In my spare time I like to use my hands and build my dreamcar I guess..

I will have some update pics later today...

Well, so far all I can say is WOW. Btw that tapered piece will look very cool when everything is bondoed smooth.
I thought you were an engineer or maybe just real anal. Lol. Seriously though your work is nothing short of incredible. I look forward to reading this thread. Oh almost forgot. I have a friend in the Netherlands....he lives in Wormerveer and has NEVER owned a car.

Lol, I have no aspirations into being anal....brr
A few lessons I have learned from doing my bodywork is you have to make many changes and improvise many times....with this dashbuildup approach I am still able to stick to "a" plan and having room for adjustments where needed...Plus the detailing will be important in the end too...oh well I guess this wont work

smoothing the midconsole panel:

and the armrest:

getting shape...

All your sweet mockup ideas are making me think of the possibilities of taking the MDF parts and PVC and copying them in fine wood and carbon fiber tubes. Skeletonizing the layers of wood so you would actually assemble it in the vehicle in layers with cloth and foam on the surfaces you want soft. It sure wouldn't be light, but the design work you've done is so rich looking that I think it would look amazing actually done like concept high end furniture.

Thanks for thinking along...! you're right about the importance choosing the right materials...you made me collect some pics and do some thinking
Heres a collage of the materials I gathered so far:

I still need some paint close to the Mrmike seats.....but I am triggered right now..hmm, this would be cool in wood...a photoshop I did earlier:

hmmm...

You have a PM!
--Bryson

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88 Fiero GT Quad4 Turbo =) 396 whp!

I think if I could have mine like another Fiero... It would be this one!!
Great Job as usual!!

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"EuroSmooth Fiberglass Products"

Back to the top

Here's a pic of the glovebox latch I was telling you about

thanks, that latch should work!

you may want to consider one of these instead of the cheap roller latch

http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=4544

or maybe an actual mechanical latch like

http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=1559

here is a better roller latch easy closing firm opening

http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=4546

it works like this

Enough options I see! Only decision I have to make is whether to use a pushbutton setup or a totally hidden setup (push=release)....

....and I already got a new tool for "phase 3" today..


No time to get bored this year

bored? the only time I can get bored is when i am stuck at work
(oh yeah forgot to mention you could just use the spring loaded cabinet hinges that keep it open or closed..)

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&offerings_id=258&objectgroup_id=342&catid=21&filter=cabinet%20hinge

[This message has been edited by Kohburn (edited 02-02-2005).]

Kohburn - that "cheap" $2 latch works just as well as the $3 latch you posted. If you're so smart, why didn't you step up before instead of slamming my stuff ...

Fie-ro: yeah, it was part of the standard package that ships with the dash kit, so it's used by A LOT of people. It works just fine. Your interior is really impressive the way it's coming along - hope you plan on making some molds and offering a kit down the line cause I think you'll have a lot of customers.

[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 02-03-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Fie Ro: I still need some paint close to the Mrmike seats.....but I am triggered right now..hmm, this would be cool in wood...a photoshop I did earlier: hmmm...

Man I wish I could photoshop... I might just have to steal a chunk of that console design and build something totally custom using that concept with the shifter ring and layered look going back to the storage box. I think I have a neighbor that could help me construct something based on what your doing if I could convince him I'm not nuts :-) He's a master woodworker that builds custom furniture/cabinets etc from scratch for a living.

quote Originally posted by PaulJK: Kohburn - that "cheap" $2 latch works just as well as the $3 latch you posted. If you're so smart, why didn't you step up before instead of slamming my stuff ... Fie-ro: yeah, it was part of the standard package that ships with the dash kit, so it's used by A LOT of people. It works just fine. Your interior is really impressive the way it's coming along - hope you plan on making some molds and offering a kit down the line cause I think you'll have a lot of customers.

slamming your stuff? never slammed anything just offered some other inexpensive options. but it well never perform as well - as for costing $2 you can get them at lowes or homedepot for about $0.40 ( http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=4535 ) - and personally i think they feel like junk. If you took some major offense to me calling that type of latch cheap then I'm sorry but it is and theres not reason that should be insulting to you. As for stepping up before.. maybe its because I hadn't read the thread in a while. You really need to relax.

[This message has been edited by Kohburn (edited 02-03-2005).]

Beautiful work Fie Ro... excellent workmanship.

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Profile? In 20 years... Auto Detailing, Auto Body, Classic & Antique Restorations, Mechanic, Engine Performance Specialist, Porsche-Jaguar Tech, Wholesaler, Sales, Independent Full Service Repair Shop, Vehicle Vinyl Graphic Design and hard-core auto / aviation enthusiast... now searching for a new career. What a ride!

Thanks, here is some progress in ideas and buildup...:
playing with the vent setup:

photochop :

me thinks this would be nice...! It means skipping of a part of already done work but hey that comes with the job....!

Several parts are close to getting their final shape for molding. That means lots of sanding, bondo, sanding, primer, sanding....but taking some extra time really pays off in the detailing....


..after these pics they already got 2 more bondo/sanding sessions....

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1987 Fiero concept GTR in progress... body buildup interior buildup
1969 Chevy Suburban

Those look great, just like I would make
I really like the center console you created, I want to make something like it but using a more square theme.
I have always been very impressed with your fabrication. Cant wait to see your first mold you pull off of these.

Are you still thinking about using some wood in your project? I have always liked white maple, it is a very hard wood and I think it would hold up well in this application. Its not cheap but a nice laminate would probably look just as good. The heat is my only worry about using wood, if it gets wet the temperature changes would warp it pretty bad. Using solid maple would probably hold up better if it was sealed properly.

Keep up the good work, I wish you could work faster I cant wait to see it finished

I am thinking about using wood maybe later.....I am getting closer to the final midconsole shape so I will mold that anyway, and it wont be too hard to replace that piece later for a wood-version. Right now the challenge is to make all the main pieces work together ok...

One of the typical jobs that pop up these days:
To make the passenger side dash part more "mold friendly" I had to add a curve to the mockup.
NOTE: the part is upside down in all these pics

will be glued in place something like this:

sanding bondo sanding

halfway

Like many others I just sit here and shake my head,,,,,,,blown away. I can't wait to see these separate pieces brought together. I think you have retained the "modular" aspect of the original dash very well. I eagerly await each update.

started to shape a "corner-thingie" , it will be smoothed with the dash part:

I found these simple hinges that will be used on the midconsole armrest:

testing

since I cant easily hide them its better to accent them...

the hinges look good -

Grey primer means getting closer to finishing...

some more bondo on an other part:

Fie Ro
all I can say is keep up the good work this is shaping up excellent

[This message has been edited by bubbajoexxx (edited 02-06-2005).]

quote Originally posted by bubbajoexxx: Fie Ro all I can say is keep up the good work this is shaping up excellent

Thanks, you're quite some good inspiration to do things "your own way"! ... and it IS a nice adventure!

Since it is quite cold outside nowadays I took a pic of one of my old GT's doorpanels to do some photoshopping inside where it is warm!
working on it

Would that location for a speaker be firing directly into your thigh?

Making great progress

You are doing some amazing work - already, we can see that your interior is going to rank up there with the Eddie Saanaw's & the Plazma! Can hardly wait to see more of it together!

quote Originally posted by Scott-Wa: Would that location for a speaker be firing directly into your thigh? Making great progress

yeah could be, but it would be an "additional" midrange speaker anyways...if it appears to be in a wrong location I will simply skip it....

quote Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: You are doing some amazing work - already, we can see that your interior is going to rank up there with the Eddie Saanaw's & the Plazma! Can hardly wait to see more of it together!

Thanks, I hope you're right In fact I whitnessed some bits of Eddie's impressive build-up and result.....at that time I wouldnt have thought I would do something similar several years later!

Now I bought something today that will help to determine the dimensions of the instrument cluster.....I will post an example tonight

Now that would be an excellent gauge pod for the fiero! Nice find. Please keep us posted and provide lots of info on the install. It will look awesome!

Nolan

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just saw this thread. allway liked the stock dash concept way better than anything ive seen swapped into it. but this is the stock concept up a notch!
keep up the good work. it is worth some serious coin!!!