[urq] sport quattro hood

[Mike Fitton]

I've done a little boat-related and miscellaneous glassing.  It's not 
too hard and generally not too costly.  No experience with carbon fiber, 
though I've read a lot.  Honestly, since this isn't a structural part, 
and I don't think the weight savings would be that much, I don't see 
that as a cost-justifiable direction.  A SQ hood would definitely be the 
hardest thing I've ever attempted, though I think I could do it.  The 
nice thing about fiberglass over carbon fiber is that it doesn't require 
any real equipment to make a premium piece.  From what I've read, an 
oven is the best way to do it, and I don't know anyone with access to an 
oven that large.  So from my standpoint, fiberglass is the best option.

However, I don't want to start any group buys or potentially sour 
deals.  I'm not gonna have a dozen people buy me an authetic hood of any 
sort, and promise to give them a deal on the replicas I make of it.  
I've been thinking about using my existing hood for a starting mold (so 
it'll have more appropriate contours), and modifying where prudent, and 
if there's interest, just selling outright.  I won't paint them, but 
they will be bolt-ons with primer.  Just sort of thinking out loud.  Got 
myself a busy little life at the moment (how I wish I could devote more 
time and money into old Audis), so this isn't what I'd call an imminent 
project...maybe a year or so.  Doing it this way will offer a lot more 
flexibility in the design, and potentially more freedom of customization 
for a customer, if any are interested.  Fitment will be guaranteed, 
since it'll be from a long-wheelbase urQ, or I might possibly start with 
a 4000 hood, since they're more plentiful.  To be honest, I can't 
imagine why a top-notch fiberglass hood should run more than a few 
hundred dollars.

I've lately decided it's time to face the situation that our collective 
ass is in.  Audi doesn't support us much beyond what's available for 
other Audis that happen to share the same parts.  The aftermarket 
doesn't support us (okay, with a few notable exceptions) because there 
were only, what, 11,000ish made in over a decade, and under 1,000 
imported to North America, of which soberingly few are left.  Our cars 
are pushing 25 years old and this situation will not improve.  Political 
slobberings aside, gasoline-fueled cars may be obsolete in another 
decade anyway, and then how many parts are going to be around?  I think 
it's time we stop relying and this obscure supplier and that obscure 
supplier and start developing solutions for ourselves.  urQ parts for 
urQ owners, or something like that.  Maybe someday I'll start making 
ball joints and center support bearings too.  I like BMWs just fine, but 
I'll never use a BMW bearing on my car.

Sorry for the rant...I'm just so sick of the lack of urQ-specific 
parts.  And I've probably had too much to drink...yes, time for bed.

-Cheers!
Mike

Bill Bennett wrote:

> First Time since I have been at urq at audifans that I have seen a group 
> purchase FAIL, I have been here several years, this sucks, who caused 
> this? kill him, part out his car(s), burn his house, sell his children 
> and family and any animals, how can we fix this? I don't do body 
> stuff, anyone know how to build a hood outta molds and such?
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Kellock" <ekellock at gmail.com>
> To: <urq at audifans.com>
> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 11:05 AM
> Subject: Re: [urq] sport quattro hood
>
>
> I've met him and recall the "dark period", although I wasn't
> participating.  When I read his recent email about making hoods, I
> went thru the gamut of thoughts, with the final one being, some time
> has passed, I don't recall that he was dishonest before, just that
> things didn't gel, which is not to say some people didn't get burned,
> but given that, and that he presented himself again, I might be
> willing to give him a 2nd chance.  All easy for me to say because I
> wasn't involved before and don't have any interest currently in a
> hood.  Just thought I'd chime in.
>
> Ed
>
> On 6/24/05, John Karasaki <johkar at teleport.com> wrote:
>
>> A few of my friends feel burned by Todd.
>>
>> However, like Bruce, I sourced my 4kq coilover suspension from him.  The
>> 4kq coilover suspension he built for me was better than most I have
>> seen.  It was custom based on my specs using 5ktq front strut assemblies
>> drilled to accept the larger and cheaper (than the urq) ball joints.
>>
>> I heard his company got involved in making custom parts for high dollar
>> race teams.  Being a racer myself, abeit low budget, I can see how one
>> would lose time for anything else.
>>
>> Not making excuses for Todd, just providing one more data point.
>>
>> John
>>
>> At 11:07 AM 6/24/2005 -0600, Bruce Bell wrote:
>>
>> >I know some folks expressed problems with Todd. My experience with 
>> him >was
>> >quite positive.  I sourced my 4kq coil over suspension from him and 
>> he >also
>> >provided me with helpful information on another project.
>> >
>> >Bruce
>> >
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From: Rich Letsinger [mailto:rletsinger at gmail.com]
>> >Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 10:31 AM
>> >To: urq at audifans.com
>> >Subject: Re: [urq] sport quattro hood
>> >
>> > > As far as Todd Candey.  Hmmm.  Should I or shouldn' I....  Lets 
>> just > > say
>> >that
>> > > he shouldn't be an option based on his history with various Audi
>> >communities.
>> >
>> >I'm afraid I have to agree with this statement.  I'm not usually one
>> >to offer up ill opinions of pople, but my experience with Todd Candey
>> >and the now defunct Vortrag Motorsports was a bad one.  As much as I'd
>> >love a sport replica hood, I didn't get involved with the deal with
>> >Dave and I won't get involved in one with Todd.
>> >
>> >Rich
>> >_______________________________________________
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>> >http://www.audi-quattro.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Audi/UrQuattro
>> >Have an urq answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... all
>> >contributions welcome!
>> >
>> >
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>> >http://www.audi-quattro.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Audi/UrQuattro
>> >Have an urq answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... all
>> >contributions welcome!
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Have an urq answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... 
>> all contributions welcome!
>>
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> Have an urq answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... all 
> contributions welcome!
> _______________________________________________
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> Manage your list connection: http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/urq
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> http://www.audi-quattro.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Audi/UrQuattro
> Have an urq answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... all 
> contributions welcome!
>