James, are they *somewhat* spongey like the originals?
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 3,385
My VIN: thirty two 'o five
Club(s): (PNDC)
James, are they *somewhat* spongey like the originals?
Dave
Here, somewhere.
Posts: 434
My VIN: Formerly 10570 and 6776
Club(s): (AZ-D) (DMA) (SCDC) (DCUK)
Absolutely not at all. The originals were a stamped metal frame, welded to form an inner support "core". This frame was then coated with a foam, that was then covered with vacuum formed vinyl skin. The "spongey" feel was the foam underneath. With heat, the metal, foam and vinyl all expand and contract at different rates, which is what caused the cracking, especially after the vinyl dried out.Originally Posted by sdg3205
It wasn't cost-effective in our volumes to use that same method due to the cost of metal insert/tooling, and we briefly looked at doing it where we would re-use original metal frames, but couldn't get enough of them rounded up to make the volume numbers work again. More modern methods of getting a "soft" feel to it were astronomically expensive in these volumes, as well.
We compromised by being able to closely match the finish with a thin textured coating over an injection molded plastic shell. Tooling was *still* in the mid-five figures for this, so it already has a long ROI.
The new binnacle also weighs less, 1.14 pounds vs 2.2 pounds, as that was something we have been paying more attention to, as well.
James
Posts: 1,027
My VIN: 500 ft pounds torque.
Club(s): (SEDOC) (DCUK)
The real question is, will they sell one to steve?
Soundkillr was here.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posts: 3,047
My VIN: 16510 and carbureted
Club(s): (GCD) (SEDOC) (DCUK)
Someone should start a poll.
Posts: 66
They look great
When will the first batch be available for sale?
Posts: 434
My VIN: Formerly 10570 and 6776
Club(s): (AZ-D) (DMA) (SCDC) (DCUK)
If they pass the heat tests, DCS at the latest.They look great
When will the first batch be available for sale?
James
Location: Atlanta OTP GA
Posts: 7,084
My VIN: 2743
Club(s): (SEDOC) (DCH) (DCUK) (DOC-UK)
Heat test?
Are you leaving them in a car in the Texas sun for 10 years? We may never get them at that rate!
j/k
As an aside, how long did it take the originals to crack if the car was parked outside in a hot climate like TX?
Dermot
VIN 2743, B/A, Frame 2227, engine 2320
I don't always drive cars, but when I do, I prefer DeLoreans
http://www.will-to-live.org
No-one is to stone anyone, even, and I want to make this absolutely clear, even if they do say "carburetor"
Posts: 66
So did they pass the "heat test"? Still looking like they will be available at DCS .......maybe sooner?
Posts: 66
bump....any new news?
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posts: 3,047
My VIN: 16510 and carbureted
Club(s): (GCD) (SEDOC) (DCUK)
DCS is about a month away so you should be able to purchase one next month.
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