So i'm looking at developing a ducktail style spoiler for the mx5 mk3,

i have excatly what it should look like in my head, and there's the problem! how do i get from this idea to something phisical?

firstly i will need to get accurate dimensions and shape of the boot lid from the car, the finished product needs to fit snuggly to the compound curves of the panel.

i'm sure some sort of 3d laser scanner exists, scan the car, import into autocad or similar and go from there, but this is out of reach for most of us.

I guess the another option would be to take a mould from the actual car itself then use this to make a plug?

Hi,

In my opinion, using computers would be just for rendering an idea.

Unless you can have access to "industrial" technologies like laser/water cutting (for profiles you could fill with foam), or 3d scanner, or cnc routers to build the mold withtout touching anything.

Since you have your final idea well built in your mind, I would go for the 100% scratch built way. Using foam that you shape with sanding paper is a great way to learn a lot during the process, and you still can change anything you want in a design point of view very easily. Any low cost insulation foam will work, and once you're happy you just coat your foam with a layer of 150 g/sqm glass to rigidify it, add bodywork and then allow molding.

Its a long process, but it would cost almost nothing. But hey, thats just my two cents.

Japcarmaniac idea has good side too: a lot less work by starting from an actual volume you dont have to create yourself. But you need to buy one, thats the downside.

 



 


    A $1000 electronic device will always protect a 10 cents fuse